Thread: Official L4P Crap Restaurants...Don't Waste Your Money

After my last trip to Vegas, I thought it would be a great resource for everyone to post up BAD restaurants, or even restaurants that are OK, but just not worth the money. If you have a story behind it, even better. Doesn't matter where, as most of us travel around, so post em up!


Where: Las Vegas, The Venetian
Restaurant : Bouchon

I went to Vegas with my girlfriend a few weeks back, and wanted to try some restaurants. This was the first night we landed, so we wanted something that was in our hotel (Venetian). I decided to try out Bouchon, as I like French bistro food, and I figured Keller's name might mean something. Boy was I wrong. First, the waiter pushed my girlfriend into ordering a striped bass special....for $47. Now, the price doesn't matter, but what does matter, is that all other fish entrees were in the mid $20s, and he should have mentioned the severe price hike on a fish that is abundant in that region. This pissed me off. I had the salmon terrine, which is served in a jar sealed with clarified butter. Tasted like dry bagelstore loxspread. Terrible. I had the steak frites (I wanted red meat, and I know it's not a steakhouse, but in a French bistro, steak frites should be delicious.) The steak was overcooked. C'mon, this isn't Friday's. You would think Keller's crew can cook a rare steak. It came out medium well. I of course, sent it back. The steak came covered in a caremelized onion paste, which tasted more like sugar paste. Overall, the meal was $160, NO DRINKS, poor service, and terrible food. Don't waste your money for a horrible restaurant.

Where: Las Vegas, The Rio Resort
Restaurant: Rio's Village Seafood Buffet

Now, before you guys tear me a new one for eating at a buffet in Vegas, understand that my girlfriend REALLY wanted to try out a buffet, and from online reading, the Rio's seafood buffet was the best...for well....seafood. So, we walked from the Venetian 1.2 miles over to the Rio. We were sent in completely the wrong direction by one of the security guards towards the buffet, so that put us in a pissy mood right then and there. We finally arrived at the buffet, and began the 45 minute wait. After waiting on line, I paid for the two of us, it was exactly $100 (no alcohol) for two adults and 18% included gratuity. Keep in mind, after reading a number of reviews, this seemed to be the ONLY buffet in town that offered all you can eat lobster tails. So, we sit down, and hit the buffet...and boy were we pissed. Other than 4 different types of crablegs, there wasn't much else. Horrible sushi (I wasn't expecting Masa, but this wasn't even good NYC deli good.) and absolutely no decent dishes. The stone crab legs, and from what I can tell, Opilio crab legs were sweet and plentiful, but that's ALL we ate. The people who eat there are very territorial, and will literally PUSH you out of the way to get to the crab. Overall, we were pissed, and disappointed. For $100, we left hungry, and annoyed. Right after, we went to BOA, and had a wonderful meal. So, stay away from this buffet. On a side note, it seems that these buffets are no longer bargains, but more of an attraction. I would say stay away from the buffets, and eat at restaurants. The money spent is roughly the same (unless you go nuts with the ordering, or eat at the super swank restaurants) as a good restaurant, and the feel of these places is horrible.

I tried the Rio Seafood Buffet once and your review is pretty much spot on; extraordinary price for ordinary at best food.

Yea, I was really annoyed that night. I heard the Bellagio buffet was good, but didn't want to waste any more money on bad meals.

Originally Posted by NFRs2000NYC

Yea, I was really annoyed that night. I heard the Bellagio buffet was good, but didn't want to waste any more money on bad meals.

Was there two years ago and ate at the buffet two days in a row. Great assortment and the quality was very good as far as I remember.