I'm So Confused About Las Vegas

When I was a kid, Las Vegas was a place you took the family. There were shows, and animals and things for both the kids and the adults to do. Plus, it was pretty inexpensive to bring a family here for a weekend -- even the nicest hotels were reasonably priced, and because the casinos wanted you to stay on premises, they offered decent food for cheap (remember the $2.99 breakfast buffet??).

What happened here?

I've been in Vegas for a few days for a business conference, and I am absolutely floored at how expensive it has become. At Mandalay Bay, a small bowl of pasta salad with mozzarella and basil and an iced tea set me back $13. A cup of coffee and a pastry at Starbucks? $8.50.

I know that food, and celebrichefs, have become a part of the Vegas experience, and I certainly understand the prices at restaurants like Aureole (phenomenally amazing, and absolutely worth it!) and Mix. But come on, a simple pasta salad? Even the "cafes" and buffets are incredibly expensive.

How does a family of four come here for a "weekend getaway"?

Tags: Food, Wine, Food & Drink, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Restaurants, NCDM

Comments

[sam]

I don't think spending money on Mix is worth it at all. Although I would gladly pay the price of a cocktail for their view.

L'atelier de Joel Robuchon is totally worth the money in my book, and sounds like I need to put Aureole on my list next time. Can't wait for you to tell me more about it...

[sam]

I don't think spending money on Mix is worth it at all. Although I would gladly pay the price of a cocktail for their view.

L'atelier de Joel Robuchon is totally worth the money in my book, and sounds like I need to put Aureole on my list next time. Can't wait for you to tell me more about it...

[christine]

Yep ! I know the feeling : we went to a "celebrity-chef" restaurent several months ago to live a great culinary experience. We did : it was fantastic ! Could'nt be better. But, at $700 for two... It HAS to be fantastic. So my point is that Las Vegas is sadly becomming a city for billionnaires only !

[San Francisco Photos]

Not really my kind of place ... the last time I was there was in 2001 and it felt like that then but I'm sure it's much worse now. Oh well, I'll stick to San Francisco! Much nicer and better weather!

[Beth]

Oh dear, families are not going to Mandalay Bay. They are at Circus Circus or Excalibur where they can eat at the $14.99 buffet or get a $1.99 breakfast. Those places still exist, just not in the Super Swanky Casinos.

[Beth]

Oh dear, families are not going to Mandalay Bay. They are at Circus Circus or Excalibur where they can eat at the $14.99 buffet or get a $1.99 breakfast. Those places still exist, just not in the Super Swanky Casinos.

[Jayne]

I was recently in Las Vegas as well for business. My coworker and I were each given a $35 per diem. Yep, $35 a day. In Vegas. Fortunately, the company we visited told us about lots of off-the-strip specials, but we made the mistake of eating at La Canonita in the Venetian one night...I had one Chinaco Reposado margarita, and one plate of chicken enchiladas...grand total (for just me, mind you): $40. The food was decent, but $30 enchiladas, they were not.
Mix is a waste. There are some amazing restaurants in Vegas that are MUCH more reasonably priced if you're willing to take a cab right off the strip. But I know what you're saying...Vegas has gotten ridiculously expensive. =(