Here’s some of the results of the 2000 Zagat
Survey of Las Vegas restaurants. 630 locals -- 54 percent of them female -- who dine out and pay more than four nights a week on average were polled.

No. 1 Andre's French Restaurant

No. 2 Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars

No. 3 Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand

No. 4 P.F. Chang’s

No. 5 The Palm restaurant at the Forum Shops at Caesars

No. 6 Wolfgang Puck's Chinois at the Forum Shops

No. 7 Drai's on the Strip at the Barbary Coast

No. 8 the Rio's Napa Restaurant and Fiore Rotisserie & Grille

No. 9 Woo family's Mayflower Cuisinier.

Other rankings include Grape Street (No. 12); the Cheesecake Factory at the Forum Shops (No. 14); the long-popular Tillerman (No. 19); and Z'Tejas Grill (No. 21).

Second Street Grill at the Fremont, Palace Court at Caesars Palace, and The Steak House at Circus Circus placed 26th through 28th on the survey's Top 40.



[This message has been edited by Veronica (edited September 25, 1999).]

V, I'm not sure Spagos deserves the #2 ranking.

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

John: And I'm not too crazy about seeing Second Street Grill ranked so low.

Have you ever been to Andre's?

Veronica, I haven't been to Andre's. Linda doesn't like french restaurants. She's not keen on that type of food. I would like to try it sometime when I'm in Las Vegas by myself. I've heard it is superb, but expensive.

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

How can they rank the Cheesecake Factory ahead of the Second Street Grill?

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

John: I wish I could find the complete list of this survey so we could take a look at each restaurant's ranking. I searched a short time on the net but didn't find it.

If anyone else does find it, let me know, or feel free to post all of the rankings.

Changs @ #4
That sounds about right!
<VBG>
I've not had a bad meal in the place and everyone I take there loves it. I never would have stoped except after coming out of the Continetal Hotel/Casino, Sue was hungry and it was the first resturant we seen!
Lee-PA

Lee, Changs was recommended by Joe Jr and we wanted to try it last trip but just didn't have time. I will make a point to go there.


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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

Drais at the Barbary Coast is another great place that doesn't get much press. Expensive but good.

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

Dave F highly recommends the Mayflower. Since it is on the list it is a "must try" also.

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

John, P.F. Changs is very ggod. But I think we should try the Mayflower sometime for a TV meet.

Sounds good to me, Gail. We may have one coming up but I don't think the Mayflower would be appropriate for it. Maybe I'm wrong.


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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

John, I was thinking if we had a small meet, about 6-12 people. And we all wanted to go family style.

I don't think it would be a good idea to "take a chance" with 20-30 people. The big percentage of our meets there is NO obligation to eat or drink.

The Mayflower would probably be different. This would have to be for a meet where everyone knew up front and was willing to put so much per person.

I'm not sure Mayflower is equipped to handle a big party, but my guess is that they would be willing to work with anyone to accommodate the needs of a small group. I hosted a party of ten or so and it went seamlessly (we did not eat family style, although I remember lots of plate swapping).

Mayflower has been rated #1 on Chinese every year in Zagat's except for the first year it opened (when Chin Chin's reigned), so this is actually the lowest rating it has ever gotten.

I think the food raters are a little bowled over by "big names" -- I agree that Spago at #2 is a little strange, but for some reason, I'm happy that it beat Emeril's, which I've found to be maddeningly inconsistent.

Dave, you sure hit my point exactly. If the chef (Emeril in this case), was actually on duty all the time, as the name might imply, the food would be much more consistant. And if the food was still inconsistant, he would pay by losing book deals, TV shows, etc.

Forever lobbying for Season's at Bally's. I can never understand why this room is not more popular, it is exquisite food in lovely surroundings. But its ok with us, we'll always be able to get a reservation!!! paula

Paula,
We've eaten at Season's a couple of times now, and while your correct, the food & service is excelent, they don't carry a high profile chef. It seems, that is what is popular (read trendy) in LV lately. Personally, it seems that this resturant would be a fitting addition to the Paris hotel. I know the Matri'd has the attitude for it! LOL


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Lee, We have eaten at three of the "high profile" chefs and been disappointed with two of them. The most elegantly prepared meal with the finest service I have ever experienced was in Omaha Nebraska in a tiny restaurant. omaha's only five star restaurant. Read about it in the Robb Report. He beats the high profile guys hands down. But you're right, its what sells in LV right now. Paula and Mike

Hi Paula and Mike,
I dont know what the Robb report is.I would like to know about the rest. in Omaha. We used to live there (Bellevue) and go back some.

If they had Omaha Steaks, it had to be good!

Robb Report is an interesting and excellent magazine, subtitled "for the luxury lifestyle" It features luxury cars, homes clothes,and travel options etc........ occasionally reviews a restaurant or two. Pick up a copy, it is worth it just to see it once. Snookie, the restaurant is called the Cafe De Paris (NOT the French Cafe), I guess there is some confusion about these two in the Omaha area) If you are familiar with Omaha it is south and east of the OldMarket area like South 8th street or something like that. The owner is is Ivan Konsul, according to the Robb Report he is from Yugoslavia but attended a French cooking school. But you won't find an Omaha steak here, it is french cuisine at its finest. White gloved waiters give service such as Las Vegas has never seen and Konsul is there every evening to great and seat guests. He serves the main course to every diner. The attention to detail is remarkable, every restauranteur should have to dine there just once as a benchmark for service. The service is excellent yet unobstrusive. I had fidgeted with the cocktail napkin under my drink, (by the way a pet peeve of mine, like at Prime in Bellagio last week, you pay through the nose for a drink and the waiter comes and plops it down wet on your white table cloth, No Napkin!!)....back to my napkin, Ivan in walking by eyed the napkin and within a few moments it was replaced by a new one. The restaurant is tiny and only seats.....My guess.....about 50. There is only one seating during a evening. You may arrive when you wish making your own time choice. You MUST ASK for your check, no one would think to bring it to you or ask you if you want it. I believe you could spend the night and never feel pressed to leave. No bank cards accepted, cash or personal checks only. A remarkable and wonderful dining experience.

Sorry folks, i got off on Restaurants and didn't stick to the Las Vegas Restaurant subject. Oh well, those of you who know me from*P bb know sometimes I tend to ramble, sorry. Paula

Paula, the restaurant sounds great. Maybe he should move it to Las Vegas. And, we tend to get off topic a lot around here<G> You at least kept with the restaurant theme<G>

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John
Moderator-Dining Forum

Paula,
That rest. sounds great. Glad you explained about the name.If you haden't I would have thought French Cafe. It isnt in a very good location if memory serves. I always liked to go to Canigles(wrong spelling) on south seventh. Thanks for the info.