Note to self

John Curtas' Eating Las Vegas is one of the blogs I read daily. Today's post included his list of recommendations for the top places in town to dine. I've copied his list below and I bolded those that I've experienced. Someday, hopefully, sooner than later, we'll be able to afford a return to the dining scene. I thought by keeping this list handy some of the greats will be less likely to be forgotten.

There's a few on his list (Mon Ami Gabi, Lotus of Siam, Charlie Palmer Steak, Carnevino, Capital Grille) that we thought were overhyped or lackluster, but overall I'd agree that they're worthy to check out and see for yourself.

The Best of the Best – when price is no object:
1) Joel Robuchon
2) Guy Savoy
3) Restaurant Charlie
4) Michael Mina
5) Picasso
6) ALEX
7) Le Cirque
8) RM Seafood
9) Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare
10) Valentino
11) Spago
12) CUT Steakhouse
13) Bradley Ogden
14) Shibuya
15) Wing Lei
16) Nobu

Great eats at (sometimes slightly, sometimes greatly) lower prices:
Raku
Lotus of Siam
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Daniel Boulud Brasserie
Lupo
Fleur de Lys
Postrio
Cafe at Spago
Cafe at RM Seafood
NobHill Tavern
Nove
Circo
SeaBlue
Shanghai Lilly
AquaKnox
Border Grill
Cafe Giorgio
Yellowtail
Payard Bistro and Patisserie
Bouchon
Enoteca San Marco
Mon Ami Gabi
Rao’s
Mesa Grill
Aureole
Sensi
Fiamma
Emeril’s Fish House
Chinois
Stratta
B & B Ristorante

Top Local/Off-Strip Restaurants:
Raku
Lotus of Siam
Vintner Grill
Todd’s Unique Dining
Settebello
Rosemary’s
Sen of Japan
Hachi
Nora’s Wine Bar
Marche Bacchus
Mimmo Ferraro’s
Hedary’s
The Fat Greek

Best Beef Eatin’:
CUT
Craftsteak
StripSteak
SW Steakhouse
Carnevino
Delmonico
Prime
Botero
Country Club Grill
Charlie Palmer Steak
Strip House
Morel’s
Stack
FIX
Brand
N9NE
Capital Grille
Smith and Wollensky

Good and cheap and mostly Asian:
Dong Ting Spring
Yunnan Garden
China MaMa
Emperor’s Garden Szechuan
Nhu Lan
Hue Thai’s Famous French Sandwiches (That are neither Thai nor French, nor all that famous)
Pho Saigon #8
Szechuan
Tofu Hut
Mother’s Korean Grill
Los Molcajetes
El Sombrero
Los Tacos
Samosa Factory
India Oven
Kan’s Hong Kong Kitchen
Korean Garden Barbecue
Ping Pang Pong
Merkato
Noodle Palace
Capital Seafood
Penang Malaysian
Shuseki

Not unless they pry my knife and fork from my cold, dead fingers (A short list of the most overrated places in town):
Zefferino
Alize
Andre’s at Monte Carlo
Piero’s
Tao
Eiffel Tower Restaurant
David Burke
Panevino
Olives
Cafe Martorano
Ago