Most people would probably agree that there is no place on Earth like Las Vegas. While some despise Las Vegas, others love it and live for it. Rarely is there an indifferent inbetween. Me, well, I am mostly fascinated by Las Vegas. I feel like the tiniest person in the world when I am there; it is all just so outrageous and overwhelming. I abhor the lack of natural environment, the loud, bad music, the smoking permitted inside, the rampant commercialism and incessant consumerism. On the other hand, I admire the creativity, the entrepreneurialism, and the sheer gall of the place. Las Vegas is freedom and capitalism at its best and you've got to respect that. Most of all, however, I love the restaurants. Indeed, the casino and resort hotels on the Las Vegas strip house some of the finest restaurants in the world. I don't go to Vegas to gamble; I go there to eat and drink.

In fact, there is so much fine dining in Las Vegas that one would have to spend a week there to just scratch the surface. Recently, I spent a few days. Here are some of my picks. Craft Restaurant at the MGM Grand is a total dining experience- great food and service, and an exceptional wine list.
Also in the MGM is Seablue, a beautiful restaurant aimed toward the health-conscious diner.
And although I live in San Francisco, I once enjoyed a superbe meal at Nob Hill, also in the MGM.
At Mandalay Bay, it is pretty much all about Aureole, for any serious wine lover. It is a must. If you have a hard time choosing a wine, ask for Master Sommelier William Sherer, he is charming and not the least bit pretentious. Similarly, at Bellagio, although there are many great establishments in the resort, the best is Picasso. Master Sommelier Robert Smith presides over an epic wine list, and the room is stunningly beautiful. At Caesars Palace, the best is Restaurant Bradley Ogden, one of the most talanted chefs in town. And at the still-new Wynn, there are many great choices. In the mood for French? Go to Bistro Daniel Boulud. Looking for fine Italian? Bartolotta is the place to be. The specialty is fish and seafood, and they have one of the finest menus I have ever seen. For the perfect pairing, ask for sommelier Claudio Villani; he has incredible knowledge of unusual wines.
And for the all-out glamorous splurge, go to Alex at the Wynn. It is over-the-top beautiful and the wine list is amazing. I am proud to say that it even reminds me of a wine list I once worked with... Sante!