April 7, 2009 / Bellagio Dinner Buffet\r
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We have been fans of the Bellagio Buffet since Steve Wynn's day. Unfortunately, since the property was sold off the buffet has been in steady decline. Well, now it has been driven over the cliff. \r
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Food Quality: The pizza, which was originally developed by the California Pizza Kitchen, used to be excellent, high quality exotic ingredients and meticulous prep. Now, not only is the pizza stale and the fillings pedestrian, but the cold left overs are tossed on to the occasional fresh pizza. \r
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The teriyaki flank steak is now overdone, tough, flavorless and stacked like cord wood at the station. \r
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The entrees are not replaced on the steam tables but are replenished like the pizza. Many old favorites like the creamed spinach have disappeared. And, like typical cafeteria fare, there was left over bacon, hash-browns and scrambled eggs from the breakfast buffet.\r
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The Alaskan King Crab legs, the only reason to prefer the dinner to the lunch buffet, have been supplemented by Ophilia crab, for the unsuspecting. And, when we were there some of the Crab Legs were still semi frozen and so liberally laced with salt that we could only conclude that the crab was left over and re-frozen. The boiled shrimp was not being replenished, diners were scraping the bottom of the serving bowls for the watery remains.\r
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The cold cuts have been removed from the salad bar and the selection of salads have been drastically reduced. They did not even have bacon bits garnish. Previously, the bacon bits were freshly prepared, a small but significant indicator of quality.\r
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The desserts are a joke, very little if anything remains. The creme brulle, profiteroles, and eclairs are gone. The sorbet maker was dispensing room temperature peach mix.\r
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You get the idea. The traditional Bellagio Buffet is no more. Really, in terms of quality, it is not that much worse than other buffets in the neighborhood, but no longer something special and they have raised their prices.\r
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We should not support mediocrity or that is all we will get. Fortunately, Steve Wynn still has a buffet.\r
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Smiff
Pros: Food Average For The Competition
Cons: Now Way Over Priced
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