restaurant recommendations

anyone got any.  i've been to a lot of the nicer ones with friends and wife but am rarely wowed.  going w a buddy labor day weekend and looking for great steak houses or any kind of food really that wont torch the bank but i dont mind coughin up some cash.  just not looking for a $75 filet ina stuffy room.  thx

I'd be happy to help....BUT, I'd like to know where you have been in Vegas..."nicer ones/rarely wowed"....

Easier to give you some advice based upon my experiences here if I can get an idea as to how you look at restaurants/steakhouses.

Also, you mention "stuffy"....Would like to know what that means to you....A restaurant with great service, decor, ability to have a conversation with those at your table, etc, etc..could be "stuffy" to someone....The more price concious you are, typically, the more "touristy" the restaurant.

Would also like to know if you can go off the Strip

strip steak in planet is pretty good

Vic & Anthonys in the Golden Nugget is my fav --service is fantastic without fail,,house salad ,,the lamb chops and glass of red is about as close to heaven as you can get here on earth- try it,,you will be delighted you did 

stayin at the nugget, 1st time actually staying downtown since i was a kid following jerry and the boys around in 94'.  a lot of the Badger action will be downtown and the price was right so the nugget looked like a nicer version of the one  i remember.  will without question do vic and anthony's  on ur recommendation cause it was lukin good on the website so i was considering it already.  been to Smith and Wollenski's and Nine and had great meals at both and went to top of Binions a couple years ago for backelor party, enjoyed it but food was average.  Been to prime in bellagio and would consider that too stuffy but food was great.  Been to Auerole at MandalayBay.  Really good, liked the atmosphere a lot.  Been to Gallaghers in NYNY, not impressed.  thanks to all who threw in their two cents would love to hear more.

i put down a few gourmet, trying to avoid the scene at a place like prime in bellagio, food was very good but hated the atmosphere.  takin all suggestions

buck, you are right buddy,,badger fans will be everywhere downtown - enjoy your stay , the spa is 20 bucks a day but very relaxing with a killer sauna,, steam,, whirlpool set-up - usually not many people in there so its a great place to chill and unwind -

Buck.....

Since you are staying downtown, my favorite place is The Triple George. More "Frisco" than Vegas....solid menu and good bar.

If you are going outside a hotel setting, I would give this one a strong rating.

thx gourmet and everybody.  cant wait to eat, drink, smoke(if i can figure it out) and gamble like a maniac

just checkd out website, going there FOR SURE.  thx

that I do  frontrowcenter that I do Sir

New entry into the mix

NOVE at the Palms...maybe I was spoiled because I was eating there with Crosby,Staal etc (went to high school with the chef) but the food is outstanding. expensive but awesome

NOVE is excellent; but for more of an "experience"....I would go to Martorano's at The Rio.

Start with the Meatball & South Philly Salad appetizer than move into the Rigatoni with Sunday Gravy.....

Get the table that overlooks the 8X10 picture of Angelo Bruno ("The Gentle Don") and envision yourself in South Philly, or Staten Island, maybe Jersey near the Meadowlands...anyplace that the "boys" eat their macronis and gravy!!

The only negative...after 8-9pm the place turns into a club/restaurant atmosphere...pretty noisy...but lots of action: pro athletes, politicians, models, etc....Just the way that Steve Martorano wants it....the way that he built his first place in Ft Lauderdale.

The owner of Martoranos seems like a douche though

Yes sir....Been out here 10 years and I can honestly say that this place has some of the worst service and most over priced overrated food in Vegas.

 Best meal I've ever had in my life was at the steakhouse in Bally's

Escargo

Porterhouse

Asparagus with holindaise(sp?) sauce

Me and Mickey Rivers agreed on something

When I was a kid, (80's) the $3.99 prime rib dinners were unbelieveable.  Times have changed, so I just find the best buffet in the casino.  Yum.

Steve M wants you to buy into his personality...that's the gimmick....."wife-beater t shirt, shaved head, tattoos, etc. As far as the service....tough place for quality service, just not set up for that.

The food?....Just eat those two dishes that I said....tell me of another place in Vegas/Henderson that makes those two better than this place. Price?....Yeah, maybe $10-15 less per person over on Fort Apache or on Charlston somewhere....just don't think that I'd find anyone making macaroni & gravy any better. Because if you call it pasta and sauce, then you don't understand.

VegasGourmet.  Have u been to Mulina at the Forum Shops?