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Honest questions get honest answers, Buzz. The significantly lower wages in the other three mean that you can get cheaper meals, more drinks, and better payouts and that equals more fun. back in the 90s, I was told that 85% of Reno business is from the Bay Area. People from the Bay Area are generally more demanding of restaurant quality and I think this has carried over to Reno. Oh, and I forgot South Lake Tahoe, so that would put LV at number 5. I think Reno/Tahoe is a clear winner on natural beauty as well.
I find people to be friendlier in Reno. A lot less of the New Yawk moaning and beechin'. So that is part of it too; I just find the people up there more fun to be around. More amateurs in LV, otherwise a lot of high end places would be empty. I have no desire to spend 300 on dinner at Wolfgang Pucks or any other high end restaurant nor do I wish to spend 175 to see Cher or any other over the hill entertainer.
And those nightclubs are really idiotic. 25 to get in, 10 for a drink, people throwing up, loud music.................I'd rather listen to UNLV football on the AM radio.
Maybe Reno is a better choice for the older/retired crowd. I have been there a couple of times for military training and was a little bored with scene. Food was good though.
As far as the nightclubs in Vegas, the super extreme long lines to get in tell a story of a successful establishment. Some clubs actually charge up to $40 to get in(males) and non-domestic beer(Heineken) is easily $15+ a bottle. At least at Tryst and Tao its this way when a celebrity is in the house.
Honest questions get honest answers, Buzz. The significantly lower wages in the other three mean that you can get cheaper meals, more drinks, and better payouts and that equals more fun. back in the 90s, I was told that 85% of Reno business is from the Bay Area. People from the Bay Area are generally more demanding of restaurant quality and I think this has carried over to Reno. Oh, and I forgot South Lake Tahoe, so that would put LV at number 5. I think Reno/Tahoe is a clear winner on natural beauty as well.
I find people to be friendlier in Reno. A lot less of the New Yawk moaning and beechin'. So that is part of it too; I just find the people up there more fun to be around. More amateurs in LV, otherwise a lot of high end places would be empty. I have no desire to spend 300 on dinner at Wolfgang Pucks or any other high end restaurant nor do I wish to spend 175 to see Cher or any other over the hill entertainer.
And those nightclubs are really idiotic. 25 to get in, 10 for a drink, people throwing up, loud music.................I'd rather listen to UNLV football on the AM radio.
I disagree. Those might be your favorite places, but they're not for most other people. I lived in Reno, and have been visiting there ever since. There are no restaurants in Reno. Not much entertainment either. And Carson City???? Laughlin??? Come on dude. If they are cheaper it's only because they've got nothing to offer compared to Las Vegas. What's Carson got, three or four dinky casinos, if that many? Please. They bus retirees in from northern California to Reno to play the penny slots. It's close for them, but they'd rather come to Las Vegas if they could.
People fly into Las Vegas from all around the world because it's an internationally popular destination. Admittedly it has gotten expensive to eat on the Strip, because the market will bear it, and I mainly blame the New York mentality for that. But lately room rates have been so reasonable people going on vacation can't afford not to come here. And Tahoe is not cheap, but I admit it is the most beautiful scenery in Nevada, along with world class skiing. Carson City is a dump, and as a long time Nevadan, I'm a little embarrassed to have it as our State Capital. And Laughlin is just a wide spot in the road.
Admittedly it has gotten expensive to eat on the Strip, because the market will bear it, and I mainly blame the New York mentality for that.
I blame the cost of food -- which has quietly skyrocketed over the last 10 years. Except for corn and corn-based products, which are subsidized to the point of ridiculousness, food is considerably more expensive than it was last century.
And good food is off most people's table entirely because they'd "need a 2nd mortgage" to pay for it.
If we stopped the practice of welfare-farming, maybe a bunch of carrots would cost less than a happy meal instead of three times more. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
Dollar for dollar, Vegas still represents the best destination choice for travelers even coming from the east coast. Flights are cheaper, rooms are a steal and there are enough deals on entertainment that people can have a great time coming here.
Possibly true, however, we came down for an extended weekend, still here in fact. Cost of the flight is affordable, but the other costs are not cheap. Fine dining is astronomical and entertainment, Andrea Bocelli and Jersey Boys were hefty cost as well. I am now too broke to gamble.
Possibly true, however, we came down for an extended weekend, still here in fact. Cost of the flight is affordable, but the other costs are not cheap. Fine dining is astronomical and entertainment, Andrea Bocelli and Jersey Boys were hefty cost as well. I am now too broke to gamble.
Have you priced out the cost of fine dining in other large metropolitan areas?
Las Vegas is cheap compared to New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and other world-class cities. Bouchon is the least expensive way, worldwide, to try Thomas Keller's recipes. B&B is similarly the least expensive way to sample the food seen on Molto Mario. If you just have to try Bobby Flay's corn and pepper creations, Mesa Grill LV is the least expensive way to do so.
The strip has more Michelin Starred restaurants packed into a two-square mile area than anyplace else on earth. And the competition is good for the customer. Robuchon's places are pricey, but worth it. Andres is on the expensive side. And so is Carnevino (if sampling the riserva meats -- and why wouldn't you?) Other than that, the strip is a BARGAIN.
As for entertainment, I generally go to concerts -- and that's super cheap. I've seen easily 200 bands in the last five years. With a few exceptions (Eagles, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, AC/DC), concerts are at bargain basement prices. I'm used to paying $20 for a ticket to see a band I loved in high school. Can't really complain about that. Hell, last time I saw the Doobie Brothers it was only $50. And the seats were excellent.
Have you priced out the cost of fine dining in other large metropolitan areas?
Las Vegas is cheap compared to New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and other world-class cities. Bouchon is the least expensive way, worldwide, to try Thomas Keller's recipes. B&B is similarly the least expensive way to sample the food seen on Molto Mario. If you just have to try Bobby Flay's corn and pepper creations, Mesa Grill LV is the least expensive way to do so.
The strip has more Michelin Starred restaurants packed into a two-square mile area than anyplace else on earth. And the competition is good for the customer. Robuchon's places are pricey, but worth it. Andres is on the expensive side. And so is Carnevino (if sampling the riserva meats -- and why wouldn't you?) Other than that, the strip is a BARGAIN.
As for entertainment, I generally go to concerts -- and that's super cheap. I've seen easily 200 bands in the last five years. With a few exceptions (Eagles, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, AC/DC), concerts are at bargain basement prices. I'm used to paying $20 for a ticket to see a band I loved in high school. Can't really complain about that. Hell, last time I saw the Doobie Brothers it was only $50. And the seats were excellent.
You are right. Compare a dinner in a place like The Steakhouse to almost anywhere else and the price to value will blow almost any other place away. I was in Kansas City a few months ago and the same meal there was about 25% more and they are right next to the cows!
Have you priced out the cost of fine dining in other large metropolitan areas?
Las Vegas is cheap compared to New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and other world-class cities. Bouchon is the least expensive way, worldwide, to try Thomas Keller's recipes. B&B is similarly the least expensive way to sample the food seen on Molto Mario. If you just have to try Bobby Flay's corn and pepper creations, Mesa Grill LV is the least expensive way to do so.
The strip has more Michelin Starred restaurants packed into a two-square mile area than anyplace else on earth. And the competition is good for the customer. Robuchon's places are pricey, but worth it. Andres is on the expensive side. And so is Carnevino (if sampling the riserva meats -- and why wouldn't you?) Other than that, the strip is a BARGAIN.
As for entertainment, I generally go to concerts -- and that's super cheap. I've seen easily 200 bands in the last five years. With a few exceptions (Eagles, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, AC/DC), concerts are at bargain basement prices. I'm used to paying $20 for a ticket to see a band I loved in high school. Can't really complain about that. Hell, last time I saw the Doobie Brothers it was only $50. And the seats were excellent.
I think that your standards are probably higher than ours, although we have dined at many fine restaurants on both coasts. Interestingly, we ate at Mesa Grill last night. Our dinner including salads, one cocktail for wife, entrees, both with glass of wine, no dessert approached $200 with tip. Too me that's alot of money. We stayed four nights on this trip and had 4 nice dinners.
As for entertainment, you can see the Doobie Brothers 8 times for the cost of our tickets and I'm sure Andrea Bocelli is not 8 times better since i love DB but my wife would think it is worth it. Our seats were good but not excellent. I'm sure locals have access to better pricing, but we are limited to timing.
You are right. Compare a dinner in a place like The Steakhouse to almost anywhere else and the price to value will blow almost any other place away. I was in Kansas City a few months ago and the same meal there was about 25% more and they are right next to the cows!
I always thought maybe it had something to do with the fact that Kansas City is "rougher around the edges" because they are in the so called rust belt.
Have you priced out the cost of fine dining in other large metropolitan areas?
Las Vegas is cheap compared to New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and other world-class cities. Bouchon is the least expensive way, worldwide, to try Thomas Keller's recipes. B&B is similarly the least expensive way to sample the food seen on Molto Mario. If you just have to try Bobby Flay's corn and pepper creations, Mesa Grill LV is the least expensive way to do so.
The strip has more Michelin Starred restaurants packed into a two-square mile area than anyplace else on earth. And the competition is good for the customer. Robuchon's places are pricey, but worth it. Andres is on the expensive side. And so is Carnevino (if sampling the riserva meats -- and why wouldn't you?) Other than that, the strip is a BARGAIN.
As for entertainment, I generally go to concerts -- and that's super cheap. I've seen easily 200 bands in the last five years. With a few exceptions (Eagles, Steely Dan, Aerosmith, AC/DC), concerts are at bargain basement prices. I'm used to paying $20 for a ticket to see a band I loved in high school. Can't really complain about that. Hell, last time I saw the Doobie Brothers it was only $50. And the seats were excellent.
Arghhh... You do understand, by your own list above, that LV mostly "imports" restaurateurs, right? Compare prices for that same Mesa in NYC and Mesa at Caesar's. LV is higher. Same for Mario's places. Same for that Bouchon. And others as well. I would argue that food is a notch below "originals" as well, and well, I am not the only one that says that. I've had originals.
I am not disagreeing that LV Strip has some great places to enjoy a great meal, we had a good number in the past 12 years or so (Aureole was the only one I really was non-plused about). But to compare LV to that same NY area, and even LA, is more than questionable. No great and incredible sushi to be found on the strip, at least not when compared to the best NY and CA has to offer (rolls to me are not sushi, sashimi and nigiri are). Steak? I'll take Sparks any day of the week over anything in LV and SParks is not alone in NY. Seafood? Le Bernardin in NY, best, hands down, by any account. And I'll be honest, nothing like it on the entire West Coast, either. And let's not get started on Asian food. Or Russian. Or Greek... Or...
Batali has a good number of choices in NY, LV has only 1. Just an example...
Come on, let's keep things in perspective. I really like the food scene on the Strip, but to compare it to food mecca such as NY area is just nuts. Shows? Well, we know who wins that one as well, don't we? Who cares if they are all within walking distance if I cannot have a great meal without spending a good chunk on it whereas I can in other cities.
The lowest we ever spent on the Strip was at least $200 per couple and that was for lunch, dinner easily ran $300-400 and actually $575 once. For the two of us. That's not mid-range by other cities' standards where you can have similar quality for at least 25-30% less and actually have better food in many cases.
Wine prices are pretty stupid, way higher than in any other city (I'm in wine business) and not conducive to having a nice bottle with your meal.
I had some great meals in Chicago, LA, Miami and Boston at mid range (price wise) restaurants, something the strip pretty much lacks. Sadly.
Vegas does offer high end restaurants within walking distance, that's great and a valid point. But shows, no matter how incredible, are overpriced. You can get a half price ticket to ANY show in NY, can you on the Strip?
I am not panning LV, its a great destination, but a proper perspective should be kept.
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