I don't know why, but at the Rio The Beach Cafe Coffee Shop has closed, and Sao Paulo Cafe has opened in its place.

The Sao Paulo Cafe offers a T-Bone steak and eggs special for $4.99 from 11pm to 6 am. At least they were a few weeks ago. You never know with Rio and/or these late-night specials how long these things will last.

We were surprised to receive a letter from the Rio a few days ago asking us why we don't gamble there any more. Don't know why they care since their records must show that I am a nickel vp player. Enclosed with the letter were 2 free passes for the Rio Seafood buffet at lunch or dinner. I hadn't been there for years and the last time we did go was to bring in our Harrah's card to receive a free buffet. John, it seems that you are going about getting comped in the wrong way. Stay away from the place and they apparently beg to get you back.
Blos

Blossom, I haven't stayed at the Rio since last Jan. I stopped in to see some dealer/pit critter friends in April and July. One pit critter told me that they have lost a lot of long time customers such as myself and there was going to be a major effort to get them back. I haven't heard from the Rio yet, but maybe they haven't missed me yet<G>
That is a nice offer you received. Hope you and Hal enjoy the buffet.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

I was really surprised to hear from them, John. They haven't been generous to seniors for years, since they canceled the daily bus to and from Sun City. We assumed they were not interested in our minimal play so most of us have been staying away and giving our "business" to the Fiesta or Texas.
BTW, we are going to the Resort at Summerlin brunch tomorrow morning...hope it is as good as last time. Will let you know.

[This message has been edited by blosinlv (edited August 21, 1999).]

Blossom, I look forward to hearing your report on the Resort at Summerlin. I read another review that listed it as the top buffet, hands down.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John,
I think that was in the LVA, but I'm not sure about that. I also trust Blossoms review over thiers any day of the week!


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

Lee: I'm with you...who needs LVA reviews when we've got Blossom!

Lee, you are correct, it was the LVA. And, I also trust Blossom much more than the LVA staff. I think the LVA will trade quality for price and I don't want to do that. Especially for a seafood buffet. I want quality every time.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Gosh, whatever did I do to earn such confidence. Guess I'd better be careful with my review.
First of all, let me say that I would not pay $25 a person for any buffet. We went because the Resort sent us a couple of 2fers. I must say, however, that this is probably the best buffet in town, except for the Bally Sterling Buffet which is in a class of its own.
They still offered mounds of 1/2 lobsters, although I thought they were rather small. I won't go into a list of the offerings again, but they still had the sushi, large shrimp, etc. We went with another couple who had not been there before and they were also very impressed. We enjoyed the food and room is quite lovely and we left quite sated.
Our waiter, however, must have had a fight with his wife this morning and was taking it out on us. He never smiled the whole time and grudgingly removed our plates and delivered our drinks without a word. I hope he enjoyed his $2 tip. It takes a lot for us to stiff a server as our 4 children worked their way through college waiting on tables and we realize how hard it is. We noticed the group at the next table didn't leave a tip at all so they must have felt the way we did. In spite of him, we enjoyed the afternoon. I did especially after getting 4 aces with a three on a double double bonus vp machine.
Anything else you want to know about the buffet, I am only a post away.

Blos

Blossom, This sounds like a buffet that I would enjoy. Even if the lobster are small, I can always go back for more<G> I hate it when I get a waiter like you had. I may have not left a tip at all. It sounds like you were generous.
Did they have cherries jubilee? I know that is one of Hal's favorites.
All things considered, from reading your reports, I would like to try this one in Oct if I have the time and can get out of bed in time to get there<G>
Thanks for keeping everyone informed.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, no cherries jubilee, but it didn't stop Hal from indulging in several desserts. The best dessert in my opinion was a rolled cookie filled with the deepest chocolate mousse....or maybe it was the blackberries and raspberries on vanilla soft ice cream with a dollop of freshly made whipped cream sprinkled with pistachio nuts.
No problem gettin out of bed on time...brunch is served till 3:30. The reason for the 2 bucks tip for 4 people is to let him know we didn't forget.

Blos,
I would have talked to the management about that waiter.I was a dining room manager a long time ago.I always wanted to know if my staff was giving the proper service
ect. The food sounds great. Wish I could try it but I am never there on weekends.

Blossom,
Thanks for the review of the buffet. We didn't eat at any buffets last trip, but this is one I think we might like to try.
Also, congrats on the four aces with the three. I guess that made the trip even more worthwhile. <vbg>
Lee Ann

Hi All,
In the old times when the service is bad $ 0.01 would be left. Nothing at all ment your cheap.
We did leave one cent amd then went back to the same rest. and asked for the same waiter. When he came to the table and seen us he pulled out a penny and said you left this here last night. I in turn asked how long was he a waiter and you should know what that ment "POOR SERVICE".
The service was outstanding the second time.

Several posts on avlv indicate that the there are no longer lines for the Rio Seafood buffet, even on weekends.

The Rio is generating bad word of mouth in every LV-oriented venue on the web that I have seen. I can't remember the last time I've heard of a LV veteran changing from another hotel to make the Rio the new "base of operations," but plenty seem to be moving in the other direction!

For me David F, the Rio has never made me feel welcome, so while I visit a time or 2 a year, I don't give them much play at all.
Too many other places to play and have a good time in LV.



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

Dave, a friend of mine that works at the Rio has said there has been a mass exodus of their long time customers. They are supposedly trying to win them back, but my experience is that once you lose a customer, they are gone for good. I know I am.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com




[This message has been edited by John (edited August 28, 1999).]

John and all,
I just got an offer from the Rio and they will give you 20% off air fare from JFK to LAS and check your bags thru to the hotel if you fly National.It also gives 2fer's and discounts at shops and eating places? Offer is good till Nov.30th. You can check bags and get tkts.at the hotel.I guess they are trying to win back some customers but when you Zing good customers with no good reason and then go begging to get them back they are apt to say "screw you" you had your chance and you blew it! Unless they lower prices much much lower than they are now I think this place will get less and less crowded.There are just too many other choices IMHO? It always amazes me when someone new takes over something that "works" and then proceeds to screw it all up?? If it ain't broke don't fix it? TTYL Bob NY

Bob, As a former Rio customer,and stock holder, I think the Rio started it's downward spiral long before it's new owners took over. Also like John I haven't received an offer in about eighteen months.

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John B.
jblersch@optonline.net


[This message has been edited by JohnSr (edited August 28, 1999).]

John B., you are correct that the Rio's attitude and problems started before Harrahs took over. They started about 2 1/2 years ago. At that time the casino services mgr was Marcus Prader who has a great reputation for customer service. The Rio got rid of him and put some guy in charge that was an accountant and all he knew was numbers. They started to squeeze everyone in order to make more profits. Even BIG Whales like Larry Flint have left them now. So over the past 2 years things just got worse and worse. I think Harrahs will turn things around since they know how to run a casino/hotel. But the damage has been done.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com