Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

134
CHAPTER 6 . WHERE TO DINE
a few on this menu. Worth noting is the signature “Chinois” chicken salad
tossed with crispy fried wontons, julienne carrots, cabbage, and green onions in
a Chinese honey-mustard sauce.
In the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/891-3019. Reservations not accepted. Main courses
$9–$15. AE, DC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 8am–11pm; Fri–Sat 8am–1am.
INEXPENSIVE
Calypsos Value DINER Here’s a solid, reasonably priced place to eat, which is
pretty rare on the Strip. Honestly, it’s kind of like a Denny’s, but its traditional coffee-shop
choices (including a “create your own burger”) are somewhat better than
you might expect. There are some eccentric items such as a chopped Mediterranean
shrimp salad, a smoked salmon plate, a rosemary-chicken sandwich on onion
focaccia bread, and a strawberry cream puff swan for dessert. Note also a very good
(and low-fat!) Thai shrimp satay, loaded with vegetables, which is listed under “classic
American” dishes. We were amused by the fruit plate, which is actually melons
and such atop a pound cake. It’s a dessert masquerading as a salad!
In Tropicana Resort & Casino, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/739-2222. Reservations not accepted. Main
courses $5.95–$17. AE, MC, V. Daily 24 hr.
Monte Carlo Pub & Brewery Kids Finds PUB FARE Lest you think we
are big, fat foodie snobs who can’t appreciate a meal unless it comes drenched in
truffles and caviar, we hasten to direct you to this lively, working microbrewery
(with a sort of rustic factory appearance) and its hearty, not-so-high-falutin’ food.
No fancy French frills, and best of all, no inflated prices. Combine the general high
quality with generous portions—a nachos appetizer could probably feed eight
(though it was not the best nachos appetizer ever)—and this may be a better deal
than most buffets. It’s not, however, the place for a quiet rendezvous, with about
40 TVs spread throughout (a sports fan’s dream) and music blaring.
Earning recent raves were the short ribs in a fine barbecue sauce, cooked just
right; the excellent appetizer of chicken fingers and shrimp fried in beer; the
garlic pizza with mounds of our favorite aromatic herb; the pizza topped with
lamb, grilled eggplant, and goat cheese (well, maybe that has more frills than
we promised); and the avocado-and-shrimp salad. We also highly enjoyed the
double-chocolate-fudge suicide brownie, though really, what’s not to love about
something like that? After 9pm, only pizza is served, and dueling pianos provide
dance music and entertainment.
In the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (between Flamingo Rd. and Tropicana Ave.).
& 702/730-7777. Reservations not accepted. Main courses $6–$15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun–Thurs 11am–
2am; Fri–Sat 11am–4am.
Value Quick Bites
Food courts are a dime a dozen in Vegas, but the one in the Monte Carlo,
3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S., between Flamingo Road and Tropicana Avenue
(& 702/730-7777), has some surprisingly good options. Sure, there’s the
always-reliable McDonald’s, and for sweets there is Häagen-Dazs, but they
also have a branch of Nathan’s Hot Dogs, New York’s finest. Golden Bagel
offers another New York staple, big and tasty enough to satisfy even picky
natives. Sbarro offers enticing pizza slices. If you want a good, cheap meal
on the Strip and wish to avoid some of those dubious night-owl specials,
come here. It’s open daily from 6am to 3am.