Planning a early December trip and I had a thought of trying to save the resources so I could afford to have a nice lady accompany me to one of the following restaurant selections.  

I normally eat alone in Vegas, right now my favorite place is Julian Serrano @ Aria  - as they have a nice bar area (great for single schmucks like me)...AND an awesome White sangria wine

Of the following 3 places, which would you prefer to go (this is for providers and hobbyists) ?:

OPTION 1
1. Carson Kitchen. Downtown, restaurant of the late and great Chef Simon.  
reasons:
casual, low cost, close to container park.
I'd Imagine dining on those great crisp chicken skins, the bacon jam and that Halibut. For dessert the glazed donut bread pudding.
After, take a stroll to the container park, drop in at JinJu Chocolates for some to go candy.

OPTION 2
2. Giada's at Cromwell
reason:
not as casual, just good food and dreaming of eating at one of the tables looking out to the Bellagio Gardens
I'd imagine dining on anything that comes with the meatballs. They were the best meatball I have had. They have wonderful food, the Zeppoles were amazing.
Planning ahead.....alternate option: they also do room delivery to the Cromwell...so this night would be 1 night stay at cromwell with room service from Giada's

OPTION 3
3. So Many romantic places; but finding one with a nice quiet private table can be a challenge in Vegas...Any Ideas !!!!
Right now I am thinking
a. Sinatra at Encore (love the Lasagna)
b. Mizumi at Wynn - i remember a nice private waterfall (never tried it)
c. Eiffle tower (once again never tried it)
4. Hugo's Cellar (again, never been)

Any other suggestions. I tried to cover all bases here......downtown, casual and elegant.
If you have to select one option
Which do you prefer ?

Prime at Bellagio is nice/romantic if you can get a seat near the fountains and you like steak/seafood.

MfSD>>>>

I would go for Carson Kitchen, great food and they're really cultivating a chill, funky atmosphere downtown.  Another option....I LOVE Texas de Brazil at Town Square.  I'm a total carnivore and that place satisfies my meat tooth!

Well that is kind of tough to narrow it down to one selection you mention so many good places.
I have been to Carson Kitchen right down the street from the El Cortez hotel.
I went one time my date and I and had a great time I didn't realize it is Tapas Style but everything I tried was very good.

Option 2 I have never been to Giada's read some reviews that were mixed.
So thanks for sharing your experience with dining there.The Cromwell has some great rooms kind of gives you a boutique hotel type of feel.You mentioned meatballs they have some fabulous meatballs at Lavo restaurant at the Palazzo.Also Rao's at Caesar's has some great meatballs and italian food.

Option 3 as another gent mentioned Prime Steakhouse in the Bellagio  chef Jean Georges if you want to have a nice romantic dinner and it is very quiet.A great view on the Bellagio fountains the service and food was awesome.
This is one of my favorite steakhouses in the city followed closely by his second location at Aria jean georges is another fav.
Eiffel tower restaurant at Paris Hotel I have eaten there before had a great view of the Bellagio fountains but I find if you are looking for a private table to have a romantic dinner I don't think I would recommend the Eiffel Tower restaurant.The food is great it was my first time trying escaragot.I had some great Beef Wellington there as well.

Hugo's Cellar that is downtown I have not been there yet.I am planning to go next week but I recently looked at their menu.I was impressed did not realize that restaurant was even downtown.
But I am very excited to try the food.

I would go with Option 3

I love dinner dates one of my favorites.It is always great to share a meal with someone while getting to know one another.Or sharing a meal and catching up with a friend over dinner and drinks.
Sorry my post was so long these are only a few suggestions of dining places I have many more.lol
Have fun and enjoy! Thank you for the dining selections you mentioned some I have not been to yet but have been curious about as well.

Edited to fix typos.lol

-- Modified on 9/23/2015 1:32:32 PM

I've had the pleasure of dinning at Carson Kitchen, Giada's, and the Eiffle Tower, and all three were fantastic! I would say I enjoyed Carson Kitchen a little more than the other two however. I enjoyed the atmosphere, open kitchen bar, and overall their AMAZING icream brownie with becon bits (yum!).

Carnevino Italian Steakhouse, located in the Palazzo, is also a great steakhouse option for a romantic dinner.  

- Vivian St. Cyr

Vegas is a foodie paradise! In the past I have particularly enjoyed Bobby Flay's restaurant and Hugo's Cellar, as well as several of the restaurants at the Wynn. I'm sure whatever you chose you will leave happy, considering all your choices seem top notch to me

-- Modified on 9/23/2015 10:26:50 AM

I love love love Prime!  Totally right about the seat next to the fountains.  Great place to set the mood and have a great steak and lobster.

Another nice steakhouse is Charlie Palmer's in the Four Seasons (co located with Mandalay Bay). It's refined elegance and if you're looking for privacy and a discrete location, it's a good choice. The total food snobs might argue with this, but along the strip particularly, Vegas has more top rated dining establishments than any place on earth.

MfSD>>>>

It is one of my favorite places to eat downtown!!!

I had an amazing dinner there sometime ago.Everything was perfect.
I also forgot to mention in my other reply. SW steakhouse at the Wynn is another favorite.

i have enjoyed Sinatra at Encore very much and would like to try. Mizumi at Wynn and i enjoy dinner with a new friend even more.

xo
LaRue McCay
[email protected]

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dine on and your budget. Vegas has a very wide variety of cuisines and restaurants to fit all kinds of budgets. Keep in mind that not all of the Strip restaurants are good, most are just okay. There are a lot of off-strip restaurants that kick butt on service and flavor. I also dine by myself, which makes it easier to try different types of cuisines. I always search for the unusual and non-common cuisines, something out of the ordinary, regardless of where I have to drive.

When choosing a place to dine, I always review their current menu and sometimes read reviews keeping in mind that everyone has a different idea of what a great meal is. Understanding the workings of a restaurant is always beneficial when searching for a place to dine. By knowing what types of foods will need to be cooked prior to ordering, rather than ones that can be pre-cooked and fully cooked when ordered will make choosing a dish simpler.  

If you are looking for a place to dine with a date in a non-romantic way, there are many choices out there. You seem to lean towards steak and pasta cuisines and the ladies above had a lot of good suggestions. So looking at your list on option 3:  

The Sinatra's food was just okay to me, but I enjoyed the atmosphere.  

The food at Mizumi at the Wynn was okay and typical, nothing stood out.  

If you go to the first seating at the Eiffel Tower, you have a great chance to sit at the window with a great view of the strip, but the first seating is so early that none of the lights are on so not as nice. The food was pretty good, but the Pistachio souffle was outstanding; but order it as soon as you sit down as it does take time to make. I would go there just for the souffle...and I have.

Hugo's Cellar is a throw back to classic Vegas dining. Each female receives a rose. They have great table side service and the food is pretty good.  

I think which ever restaurant you choose to dine at, your meal will always be better with a lovely Vegas lady as your dinner guest. Just remember to take a limo back to your hotel, as it is better to be safe after having a couple of adult beverages. Nothing ruins a date faster than a DUI

I'm going to suggest Triple George. It's not one of your options in your post but after reading and thinking what you stated... I think you will really like it.  

When I'm downtown for business by myself and it's happy hour... nowhere better than Triple George. So good... I occasionally take a date there and the service is fantastic.

When I am by myself and sit at that big gorgeous bar drinking and ordering food, I've met some incredible people. Maybe you haven't heard of the place because they don't have to advertise. Kind of like Golden Steer steakhouse...

Cheers!!

Last time I was at Vic's the steak was good!! My date for the evening was great!

Thank you ALL for your replies, It is really nice to see so many people replying to a non Hobby topic.

Does anyone remember Seinfeld (yes I am aging myself) ?

.....and the episode called "the blood" where George adds food to his sexual escapades.  Fortunately I am not THAT bad....but dining with a nice lady is something I will add to my Vegas menu the next time I am in town.

I was surprised of all of the downtown love - maybe I will have to re-visit the idea of staying downtown for a night or two.

I did forget one food item that I ate during my last trip...

Allegro at Wynn and its Lasagna.  
It was better that Sinatra

You mentioned Allegro at the Wynn. I eat there every stay. Good food even late at night. If you ever go back to The Wynn during regular hours (they close in the evening), try La Cave. They have tapas and good wine. During the winter months you can sit at the bar area where the fire is and watch them cook. In the back there is a huge screen television where they usually show sports.  

http://news.yahoo.com/third-straw-uncapped-lake-mead-water-vegas-033417377.html

MfSD>>>>

Hugo's cellar is good but not great. In a city full of GREAT restaurants, skip Hugo's. The most interesting option you offer is Option 1. I would need to know more about you to help you design the best experience. Where are you from? What really turns you on? Exploring new foods or sticking with the traditional dishes you know well?

She was huh?? That is good to know! I hope she wasn't late though!!! That was a fun night for sure!!!

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I ate at Hugo's w/a few fmale friends of mine years ago. The food was ok but it was expensive. I know its more casual but I love eating at Carnegie's at the Mirage, I'll eat there at least 1x everytime i'm in vegas.

I also want to add Lawry's Prime Rib.  

It is reasonable cost, they usually have 3 course meals. All of their options include that amazing spinning bowl salad.

Anyhow, I am off to the gym - need to lose a few more LBS. before my trip to Vegas.

This time I am determined to have some kind of date with a lady, that extends beyond fun in the room.

You forgot about Vic and Anthony's Steak house in The Golden Nugget. I also love Mastros in Crystals.

Agreed..