Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

SOUTH STRIP 127
Morton’s of Chicago (East of
the Strip, $$$$, p. 150)
The Palm (Mid-Strip,
$$$$, p. 139)
The Tillerman (East of the
Strip, $$$$, p. 152)
SOUTHERN
House of Blues (South Strip,
$$$, p. 130)
SOUTHWESTERN
Coyote Cafe (South Strip,
$$$$, p. 128)
Star Canyon (Mid-Strip,
$$$, p. 144)
STEAK
Austins Steakhouse (West Las
Vegas, $$$, p. 157)
Delmonico Steakhouse (Mid-
Strip, $$$$, p. 136)
Drai’s (Mid-Strip, $$$$, p. 137)
Lawry’s The Prime Rib (East
of the Strip, $$$$, p. 150)
Limericks (Downtown,
$$$, p. 164)
Morton’s of Chicago (East of
the Strip, $$$$, p. 150)
The Palm (Mid-Strip,
$$$$, p. 139)
The Range (Mid-Strip,
$$$$, p. 140)
The Tillerman (East of the
Strip, $$$$, p. 152)
SUSHI
Dragon Sushi (West Las Vegas,
$, p. 161)
Hyakumi (Mid-Strip,
$$$, p. 143)
TEX-MEX
Z Tejas Grill
$$, p. 155)
(East of the Strip,
THAI
Komol (East of the Strip,
$$, p. 153)
Lotus of Siam (East of the
Strip, $, p. 156)
Thai Spice (West Las Vegas,
$$, p. 161)
2 South Strip
Note: In addition to the restaurants listed in this section, the Monte Carlo has
a branch of Andre’s, the French restaurant that has long been a favorite in
Downtown (p. 163). The South Strip branch is just as highly recommended for
fabulous food and attentive, not intimidating, service.
VERY EXPENSIVE
Aureole Overrated NOUVELLE AMERICAN This branch of a New York
City fave (it’s pronounced are-ree-all), run by Charlie Palmer, is noted locally for its
glass wine tower. Four stories of carefully chosen bottles (including the largest collection
of Austrian wines outside of Austria, which are well worth trying for a new
wine experience) are plucked from their perches by comely, cat-suited lasses who fly
up and down via pulleys. It’s quite the show, and folks come in just to watch.
Should you come for the food? Perhaps. Certainly the Asian-influenced
fusion is solid, but it’s more consistently good than outstanding, and since it’s
currently a fixed-price three-course meal, it may simply not be worth the price.
A recent visit found the duck foie gras mousse served with a sweet balsamic
sauce to be creamy, and the smoked capon ravioli very smoky indeed, but the
pasta casing was a little tough. A pepper-seared tuna entree with green-onion
risotto produced some sharp flavors, while the pan-roasted lobster was sweet,
and there was a hint of cinnamon in the caramelized fennel side. Desserts are
dainty but pale when compared to others around town.
In Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/632-7401. Reservations required. Fixed-price dinner $55,
$75, or $95 for a tasting menu. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 6–11pm.