Move over amatuers... here comes sgrfsh, Las Vegas resident and industry employee. I'll even sell out my own company for 10 points.
There are three main contenders voted for by Las Vegas locals during 2005 and I personally agree with the outcome:
1. Bellagio. 5,000 people or more eat here daily, piling their plates with everything from boiled shrimp and smoked salmon, to good thin-crusted pizzas out of a wood-burning oven, Asian stir-fry and, we're happy to report, fresh-baked breads and irresistible desserts. The Friday and Saturday dinner buffets are promoted as gourmet; the lavish weekend Champagne brunches are presented from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
2. The Wynn. Exquisite cuisine offered all day and evening at 17 stations. The sushi and smoked salmon station is popular. Tamarind-glazed salmon with rice pilaf is a favorite at The Grill. At the American station, jumbo grilled asparagus and pesto mashed potatoes are winners. We love the steamed black mussels and Atlantic salmon at the seafood station, together with the crispy focaccia and lotsa pasta at the Italian counter. King crab legs, rack of lamb and the carving station are dinner favorites. Outstanding baba au rhum and carrot cake with pecans are among gourmet-style desserts, complemented by ice cream with traditional toppings.
3. The Rio. Specializing in pasta and pizza, Chinese cuisine, Japanese fare including sushi, Mexican specialties, seafood such as crab legs and smoked salmon, and carved-to-order barbecue ribs, roasts and steaks. The colorful American station offers an array of tasty breads from the Rio bakery, a variety of salads and much more. There's a Mongolian-style teppanyaki grill with food flamed to-order, and a bar with a plethora of libations. The room's shining centerpiece is the extraordinary dessert station, offering more than 70 varieties of pies, cakes and pastries, plus crepes Suzette and bananas Foster. Mmmmmm...
[The Aladdin no longer exists. The property is well on the way to becoming the new Planet Hollywood. Circus Circus has a great pizza joint but everything else is awful. Luxor's buffet is okay... and I mean just okay. The Mirage has a new buffet ("Cravings") that opened last year and it's pretty nice. My picks for Also Ran: Green Valley Ranch, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay.]