Eat Here: Harrah's Oyster Bar #goodeats #lasvegas @HarrahsVegas

I haven't done a restaurant review in awhile.  Last night, my boyfriend and I were remembering how great Harrah's Oyster Bar is, and how we can't wait to go back there when my cancer is in remission.
I need to say this now...even if you don't like oysters but love seafood, you MUST MUST MUST go to the Oyster Bar.
This is our first stop in Vegas, no joke.  The plane lands, we get in a taxi, go to the hotel, check in, drop off our luggage and head out to Harrah's!  We don't wait for a taxi, we walk right out of Bally's and head towards Harrahs, like second nature.  Its not a long walk, but its a crowded walkway with lots of people.  I don't care.  Besides, we get to walk past The Flamingo and now the new Quad and hit those spots on the way back home (yes, in Vegas, Bally's is referred to our home).
The Oyster Bar is an open concept casual restaurant.  No walls, just a bar with food and oysters in the center instead of liquor.  They do have tables, but why not sit at the bar and watch them prepare your food in front of your eyes?  The Oyster Bar is open for lunch, and that's when our plane arrives, at lunchtime.  I can't tell you how many times we have ate at the Oyster Bar for lunch, and we always have the same gentleman take care of us.  The service is wonderful.  If you want something a bit spicier or less spicy, they can adjust your entrée easily, because they make it right there.  Your server is also your chef.  Sitting at the bar, you get the additional opportunity to talk with other guests and the servers.  Servers are locals, so its great to know if anything is going on while you are in Las Vegas.  They can also give great advice on places to eat or shows to see.
Now, onto the food.  Super Fresh, the oysters always look amazing.  Oysters are on display, beautiful shaved ice everywhere, and shucked right in front of you.  No matter how you like them, they can accommodate.  My boyfriend always gets raw oysters, and they usually have different varieties and sizes to choose from, served properly with all the accoutrements.  They also have oysters Rockefeller, shooters, grilled and fried oysters.  But, there are plenty of other items available, too.

I always start with a bowl of their New England style clam chowder.  Its amazing.  Super smooth and creamy, potatoes are the perfect size, and has a good deal of clams in it.  If you are not shy about getting messy, I would suggest the Beer Boiled Peel and Eat Shrimp.  They are perfectly cooked, and I have had them both plain and blackened.  The shrimp are my favorite, they are served in a plastic baggie, steaming and full of juices.  You do have to peel each shrimp, and the blackened ones are full of spices and it gets everywhere, but its well worth it.  I go through a lot of wet naps when I eat the shrimp.  Crab cakes are wonderful.  I do like more of a crust on my crab cake personally, but I guess its hard to get a crust when its almost all crab and no filler, as with these crab cakes.  They also offer a cold seafood platter appetizer for two.  This is a monstrosity of an appetizer and might easily be enough for two people for lunch, honestly.  It has lobster, mussels, shrimp, oysters, and crab legs atop of a bed of ice chips served with lemon and sauce.  This is an item you see them serve a couple at the bar and say, "We should have ordered that!"   I can't wait to try the jambalaya on our next trip.

I think the prices are fair for the quality and taste of the food.  The portions are, for me, perfect size.  I'm full when we leave, but not tired, and that's key in Vegas.  We usually order a few items and share for lunch.  If you are a Total Rewards member, you get a discount pricing on your entrees.  The Harrah's Oyster Bar does post the menu (with prices) on the Harrah's website (link below).  For me, I think its a great start to a vacation.  It might be one of the more costly lunches for us, but its now a tradition we hit the Oyster Bar first thing.

This is a place where you can go in jeans, sit with your loved one or friends, order a few different items and have a great time.  Good people watching, because you are in the casino.  There are tables and slots 15 feet from you.  Sitting at the bar you meet and talk to so many people, it just feels like the perfect beginning to a great vacation.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

To Buffet or Not to Buffet, That is the Question

Before ever traveling to Vegas, I had watched National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation.  The buffet scene was all too much for me, I was grossed out.  I was under the impression that you could get a buffet for $2.99 and it was all kraptacular food, and not worth it.  I was wrong.

Las Vegas today is different.  The resorts and casinos pride themselves on great service, cleanliness, and quality.  Our first trip included a breakfast at the Le Village Buffet in Paris.  At about $15/person, its not cheap by any means for a breakfast.  It is, however, delicious and well worth it if you are in the mood to stuff your face silly.  Okay, that might be harsh, how about:  Its well worth it if you want a good, fresh, custom made omelet, crepes, or your choice of 3-5 different sausages (yes, 3-5 different sausages each day!).  I fell in love with the buffet and even treated my sister and her bachelorette party for breakfast there one day.

Le Village Buffet is hands down my favorite slow breakfast in Vegas.  I take my time.  I savor every bite.  I get an apple or cherry crepe, which is made right in front of you, where your mouth starts watering as you are in awe by their skills.  I think about my possible toppings: powdered sugar, pudding, whipped cream, syrup, or just Au natural.  I wait in line for the omelet stand.  I get a bowl of fruit.  Oh yes, and don't forget the smoked salmon and capers!  This buffet is quite large, but easy to navigate.  If you miss the hash browns or bacon near the waffles, they will probably also be found by the eggs Benedicts.  This meal lasts about an hour.  I enjoy it.  Fully.

Most of the items at the buffets are easily found in all the restaurants in that casino, its just a matter if you and your traveling partners want the same thing or how hungry you are.  I suggest you don't miss the Le Village Buffet, but wait until the day you leave Vegas to splurge and pig out.  This way, you will be satisfied, full, and you won't starve if you are at the airport waiting for a weather delay to pass (which will happen if you are hungover).  If you fall asleep on the plane from carb comatose, no biggie. 

Every resort/casino has a buffet.  The Total Rewards casinos have a special called "Buffet of Buffets."  Essentially, it costs $45 for a 24 hour pass to a slew of different buffets.  You can eat as much as you want, go to each buffet as many times as you want, and just go crazy.  The buffets included in the Buffet of Buffets are:  Spice Market Buffet (in Planet Hollywood), Paradise Garden Buffet (in Flamingo), Carnival World Buffet (in The Rio), Flavors Buffet (in Harrah's), and of course Le Village Buffet, in Paris.  For an additional $15, you can also add the Seafood Buffet at The Rio, which my boyfriend has told me wondrous things about.  If you love Crab Legs and all things fine seafood, its one to hit.  This 24 hour pass is a good deal if you plan on going to most of these places during that time.  Its easy to spend $45 on just dinner for one at one fine dining establishment in Las Vegas, so it can be a money saver for the penny pincher...or the hearty eater!