| Vegas is the exact opposite of a "small town." | | | | nice, go inside and ask to see the menu. There's |
| Even if "back home" is really some large city, Las | | | | no obligation, of course. To convert your total |
| Vegas will be different. At home, you will be used | | | | budget into menu prices, calculate backwards. |
| to your familiar haunts and favorite bistros and | | | | Each person or couple will be different, but the |
| bars. Las Vegas overwhelms with so many | | | | process is the same. For example, if you have a |
| choices among so many things - many of which | | | | budget of $100 with drinks, that's $50 per person. |
| may be totally new to you! Even the other | | | | This implies about $40 prior to tax and tip. Take |
| visitors add to the sensation, as they come from | | | | out the cost of drinks (maybe $10), which leaves |
| all over the world, creating a jumble of | | | | $30. That's probably a $15 entrée and a couple |
| impressions that can make you feel as if you | | | | of sides or appetizers or desert. What to Order? |
| truly were in Oz or on some other planet. Waiters | | | | Las Vegas eateries can set you adrift in a sea of |
| in Las Vegas restaurants grow accustomed to a | | | | a million or more possible selections. To find firm |
| paralysis that sets in for visitors when they start | | | | ground underfoot, try one or more of the |
| to order food. Like everything else in "Sin City," | | | | following tactics: |
| the restaurants offer so many options that it is | | | | - Intuition. Go with what your first urge is. After |
| really hard to know what to choose. Making good | | | | all, it's your appetite talking, not your brain. Don't |
| choices quickly is important for anyone who | | | | waste time thinking too much. |
| comes to Las Vegas with a long list of things to | | | | - Prudence. The reverse of using your intuition is |
| do. Here's how it's done: | | | | to think about what you want from your food. If |
| Where to Go? (or Not!) | | | | you're on a diet, then go for nutrition instead of |
| - If small children are along, rule out all quiet and | | | | calories. If you're stressed, go for comfort. In a |
| elegant places. They don't welcome children, and | | | | case of doubt, avoid daily specials (which are |
| the adults will just spend their time holding their | | | | designed to use up leftovers or which have the |
| breath for worry about the kids. | | | | most profit for the restaurant). In an unknown |
| - If you are a family or a large group, rule out | | | | restaurant, head for staple menu choices that are |
| any place with a very specific cuisine or menu. Go | | | | hard to get terribly wrong. |
| for the buffets, where everyone can choose | | | | - Declare Part of the Menu Off-Limits. If the |
| what he wants, where the wait (if any) will be | | | | menu is too big, just rule out all but a manageable |
| short, and where a big group can easily be | | | | portion. Save the rest for another day. |
| accommodated. | | | | - Sheep May Safely Graze. If someone else |
| - If you are a couple looking for somewhere | | | | knows what he or she wants, go along with |
| quiet, head in the opposite direction. Choose a | | | | them. Be a member of the flock. Give up your |
| small location, perhaps one with drapes and | | | | freedom of choice in exchange for the freedom |
| carpets. Look for a place with a menu that does | | | | from choice. Even if you are alone, you can check |
| not appeal to small children or family reunions. | | | | out dishes as they head for other tables. Say that |
| Remember that "lounge" in Las Vegas often | | | | famous line from When Harry Met Sally: "I´ll |
| means music - either recorded or live - which | | | | have whatever she's having!" |
| may make quiet conversation impossible. Not all | | | | - Be a Lone Wolf. The opposite tactic also works. |
| elegant places are expensive. Try the bistros. | | | | If you think it's boring to imitate the others, strike |
| - For the adventurous, try the places you've | | | | out for something new and different. Be |
| never heard of before. Use the Internet to inform | | | | adventurous! Take a risk! After all, you're in Las |
| your choices. If you want to retreat from all the | | | | Vegas. Hope for the best. Don't over-think it. |
| new and strange sights of Las Vegas and take | | | | - As a last resort, Celebrate! So you consider all |
| refuge in a comfort zone, choose one of the | | | | the other tactics and still can't decide? Then |
| many restaurants that are part of a national | | | | decide that it's your birthday. Or your anniversary. |
| chain, which may be familiar to you already. | | | | Or graduation. You are on vacation. Have a good |
| How Much to Pay? Decide in advance how much | | | | time. Splurge. Order the dish that you normally |
| you want to spend for your meal. Look for | | | | would never order because it's too special. Throw |
| sample menus (online, in the hotel or outside the | | | | yourself a party. |
| premises). If you're passing by a place that looks | | | | |
