Food, Glorious Food

Eat dessert first. Photo by: meerbabykat

In the mood for meatballs?  Dying for dim sum? Craving chicken enchiladas? Mouth watering for something sweet?  The new Bacchanal buffet at Caesars Palace has begun serving up a few of your favorite things.

With 500 food items, many prepared to order at nine different kitchens spread out over the 25,000-square foot restaurant, half the size of a football field, it might be difficult to decide where to start.  There’re Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and American cuisines, vegetarian, seafood, and grilled meat specialties, as well as designer pizza and gourmet deli.  And save room for dessert.  Oh, heck, life is uncertain: eat dessert first.

All-you-can-eat buffets have been a staple in Las Vegas since the El Rancho Vegas, the original resort casino on the Strip, opened in 1941.  The “Buckaroo Buffet,” so-named in keeping with its Wild West theme, was basically an all-night chuck wagon.  For a dollar or a dollar fifty, a hungry gambler could have his fill of an assortment of cold cuts or a choice of a few hot dishes. Everyone was satisfied, management, especially, as they didn’t have to keep a full staff standing by and good customers never left the premises.

Over time different courses were added to the menu. Steak, lobster, and shrimp have always been popular.  The casino resorts built over the last twenty years, of course, from Atria, Bellagio, and Cosmopolitan to Wynn, have buffets.  None of them are cheap, but they’re all well attended.

Caesars is hoping their new arrangement delivers that something extra exceptional, not just a second, third, or fourth trip for more.  The decor is modern – all glass, wood, and steel.  The view is spectacular; it overlooks the pool complex known as the Garden of the Gods.  And the level of service and quality of the offerings promise to be outstanding. Customers are able to watch their meal being prepared.  Chefs have been trained to relate to the customers and give mini demonstrations of interest to diners.

Shania Twain will be performing in the showroom, but morning, noon, or night, eating is the new entertainment.

© 2012 Susan Marg – All Rights Reserved