Buffets? No Way

February 25, 2009 9:57 AM

Vegas FoodFilter Emergency: BF and I are in Vegas for a confrence and the entire place is giving him a massive stress headache. Any ideas on quiet, off-strip places to eat/recover? Let's say we're going to see Penn & Teller tonight at 9. (we are) Where can we eat afterwards/before that is not crowded, within walking distance, and not super expensive? Restrictions and example below

-we don't have a car
-we don't mind walking
-We're staying at the Paris
-So far, every food experience inside a casino has been horrible.
-We don't want to have to wait on a fraking line just get a stupid, soggy buffet.

posted by The Whelk to travel & transportation (12 comments total)

Try Firefly on Paradise Road. A great tapas restaurant with very good prices. It should be a cheap cab ride from Paris.
posted by ieatwords at 10:14 AM on February 25

Once you get off-strip, over by the Rio (where Penn & Teller play), things start to be really, really far apart, like maybe too far to walk. Alize in the Palms is over in that direction, but look at it on a map and see if that's a reasonable walk for you. If you're willing to take a $20 cab ride, there's a restaurant called Rosemary's that's not at all touristy, very friendly, and has the best food I've eaten in Vegas.
posted by jillsy_sloper at 10:16 AM on February 25

Easy. The Marrakech.

Just over a mile from the Paris, an easy walk. Fantastic food. A touch of the exotic, like a trip to Vegas should have, without being classless, like a trip to Vegas can be. Don't let the bellydancing fool you. Inexpensive, memorable, relaxing all in one.
posted by ewagoner at 10:55 AM on February 25

Be sure he drinks lots of water. Las Vegas' dry air can stress visitors.
posted by Carol Anne at 10:57 AM on February 25

I second Firefly- but don't wait too late to get there, as it is standing room only sometimes due to popularity and atmosphere.
posted by Piscean at 11:31 AM on February 25

I despise Vegas. The only reason I would go back is to eat at Lotus of Siam.
It is worth the cab ride.
Try something off of each of the regional menus.
Take advantage of the great wine list.
Ignore the fact that you are in a grimy strip mall.
http://www.saipinchutima.com/
I love it. And I am not an easy chunky-boy to please.
posted by Seamus at 11:43 AM on February 25

Another vote for Firefly.
posted by a22lamia at 12:45 PM on February 25

The off-strip and within walking distance criteria kind of cancel each other out.

Firefly and Marrakech are technically walkable but the trip will not be scenic or friendly - cabs to that area will be plentiful. Call ahead for reservations if you choose Lotus of Siam, and note that Alize and Rosemary's might not meet your cost criteria.

Both India Palace and Himalayan Cuisine are in the same neighborhood as Firefly, or a little further down Flamingo there's Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe, which has good food an attached hookah lounge that's funky and relaxing.
posted by zepheria at 12:47 PM on February 25

I've been to Lotus of Siam and absolutely loved it, and considered it a refuge from the general insanity of the Strip, but I don't think I'd walk there.

There is a nice (and quiet the night we were there) Indian restaurant called Tamba tucked in an odd little mini mall (up to the second floor once you find the mini mall entrance) behind some souvenir stands with a big tent-like canopy over them. The sign out by the Strip is hard to miss (orange with yellow lettering)... it was just a little south of the Harley Davidson craziness, if I recall correctly, which makes it not too far south of Paris (we were at Bally's and it was an easy walk from there). Anyhow we had a pleasant meal at Tamba after a stressful day of travel and checking into a shitty hotel room and fighting with the Bally's folks to get a less shitty room.
posted by aught at 1:48 PM on February 25

Ugh - the sign is EASY to miss, not hard to miss. Good luck!
posted by aught at 2:00 PM on February 25

Yeah, the walkable thing is a problem. Firefly is great (I voted for that alread) but Lotus of Siam is also an excellent choice. They can also be busy though and can require a reservations on some nights. Their Tom Kha Gai is the best in town. By the way, check out reviews of Firefly and Lotus of Siam on Yelp. Another place I llke is India Oven, but that's another cab ride.
posted by Piscean at 10:46 PM on February 25

Thanks to everyone who helped. We had an ...interesting time in Vegas. Two days hiking and driving in the desert helped clear our minds. (and the urban hiking. Paris to Fremont St. is only 4 miles! and then you get cheap beer and take the bus home. One of the better hiking trips I've been on)

Tamba was *great.* Really well-done, Indian with lovely notes and they had that cherry bread I've only ever seen once before. Totally removed from the Disneyland outside. Just perfect.

Lotus of Siam was the best Thai meal I've had in the U.S (and P.S, if you're a homosexualist or just like nice bars, the Badlands bar is across the parking lot. Lots of fun, real cheap, real friendly)

After the P&T show we ended up at the Victorian Room of Bill's Gamblin' hall. Greasy, quick food served all night. Better than Denny's and cheap for the strip. Plus, 24 hours. (the "Asian" menu was actually better made than the western one, but they shut that off at 11.) Also, the only place I didn't feel gouged for drinks. It's kinda cafeteria-style food, if good and fast, however, if that matters. They're pretty friendly about it.

The only Buffet we went to was the Belliago's based on other MeTa threads and ...it was more than a little worth it. Try to go around 11, the check-out time, and there is little to no wait and for 5 more bucks on the weekend you get unlimited champagne and oh god they had duck legs and beef wellington and sushi and oh god.
posted by The Whelk at 8:40 PM on March 2