Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
What You Need to Know before
You Ever Pick Up a Menu
Would it really surprise you to learn that dining out is a little bit, well,
different in Sin City? Here are some items to keep in mind:
Reservations:
Always make them, no matter how humble the restaurant
seems on the surface. Remember, at certain times of the year, when the
big conventions hit town, literally dozens of people will be vying for the
same spot in that restaurant you thought you'd breeze into to grab a bite.
So get your act together and call in advance, particularly in the more
famous places. You don't want to waste your precious vacation waiting for
a table, or giving up and dining at the food court (which can also some-
times be a time waster, with astonishing lines popping up in a matter of
minutes).
Tipping:
Yes, you can give chips in lieu of money, but you've got to leave
something—even at the buffets, and especially if it's one of those buffets
where the waiters scurry around filling drink orders. A tip of 15% of the
total cost of the meal is standard. An easy way to figure out what that is,
is to simply double the tax that will be tacked onto your bill (in Nevada
it's 7.75%). If you're happy with the meal, or the sight of your server in
her Playboy Bunny-like outfit, leave more. If you get the feeling they've
spat in your coffee, give less, but give something. Servers make the major-
ity of their money from tips, so when you stiff them, you're literally rip-
ping that spoon of baby food out of their children's mouths. (Okay, that
might be a bit dramatic, but you get the point—don't be a jerk when it
comes to tipping.)
Smoking:
Puff away. Unlike most areas of the U.S. nowadays, smoking is
still allowed in many Vegas restaurants. Smokers are placed in their own
section, of course, but with the constant gusting of casino air condition-
ers, I often feel like my food is being flavored by nicotine. If you're like me
and don't like the stink of cigarettes when you eat, take a quick look around
before you accept a table and try to get as far away from the smokers
as you can. It's pretty much impossible at some restaurants, but in others
they separate the two groups by placing a bar or even a wall in between
sections.
$$$-$$$$
The perfect pit stop on a day of intense shopping,
Makino
55
(in
the Premium Outlet Mall, 775 S. Grand Central Pkwy.;
%
702/382-8848; lunch
$
15, dinner
$
23,
$
1 more on Sat and Sun; daily 11:30am-3pm and 5:30-9:30pm;
AE, DISC, MC, V)
was named for the visionary brothers who founded the Todai
chain of sushi buffets (they're now in nine states across the U.S.). The brothers
