Where Vegas Doesn't Lack Taste: the Kitchen

In the land of the synthetic, I must give credit to what actually stands true: Vegas chef's know how to please. If not for the totally attractive lure of losing all of your savings, you should go to Vegas for the food. In a highly competitive strip, any restaurant will satisfy- though be prepared to spend a pretty penny on topnotch dishes.

In particular, the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. A spin off on the name of the Roman demi-god Bacchus (Greek: Dionysus) who represents wine, fertility, religious ecstasy and theater. Bacchus himself could be the symbol of Vegas, but the buffet was indeed a delightful show put on three times a day for hundreds of eager eaters.

I spent two hours nibbling away at 31 entrees and sides (evidence will follow). Although there were about 15 more meats, salads, soups, cheeses and seafoods I could have tried, I stuck with the following plates: Asian (Thai, Japanese & Chinese mix), Italian, Mexican, American and a dessert platter, of course.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I was so rightfully stuffed that I wasn't able to eat again till brunch the following day. When the price to enter is around $45, you get your money's worth... and more.

Dim Sum, Tamagoyaki, spicy tofu, fried duck & eggplant, rice noodle rolls, Thai chicken and sauteed veggies.

Scalloped potato stacks & spinach, ricotta ravioli.

Roasted garlic, onions and peppers*, Chicken in green Pipian sauce, spicy beans, pulled pork and a yellow tomato.

Mini Wagyu slider, bacon wrapped lamb in yellow lentils and mashed potatoes with filet mignon and gravy.*

Fried chicken and fries in a waffle, tuna ceviche*, broccoli, potato confit and roasted veggies.

Thai seafood salad.

Thai iced coffee and black sesame ice cream.

Mango sorbet, blackberry & pistachio cupcakes, green tea cookie & chocolate mousse.

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen + Bar
At this restaurant, located inside of the Linq hotel and Casino, we decided to avoid the classic (although award winning) burgers and opted for a less intimidating meal. To be fair, two obese topless women stood across from our table, which highly disrupted our appetites. When in Vegas?

Italian deli salad, prosciutto- wrapped smoked provolone

Chili bowl + sweet corn bread. In the background: ahi tuna, mango salsa with wasabi aioli.*

The salad wasn't actually a light meal. When you add a certain amount of meat to it, it just becomes a side of lettuce with a hunk of prosciutto (not complaining here). The chili bowl was simple and tasty with perfected slow cooked beef and beans. Of course the cornbread was a sweet touch. However, the winner must go to our little friends in the back.... the washimi won tacos. Created by Fieri and a friend one drunk night (true story) it was a perfect fusion of cuisines. Japanese ingredients styled in a Mexican manner prepared by an American chef? Pretty fantastic.

Like all things, no one meal is perfect. At Bucchanal I was told the prime rib was tough and the lamb didn't hold too much flavor. But if you do the math you definitely get your money's worth plus an extra 3,500 calories. So in a city where creativity ranks from women in Party Store cop outfits to washimi won tacos... you get a large range of whats quality and whats not. The women? Not so much. The food? Willing to risk a heart attack to have more.

*Favorite