Hi, During a recent trip to Vegas in my quest to become a champion of the poker world, I was fortunate to try out a number of breakfast options. The trip started with a breakfast at the Venetian’s Grand Lux Cafe, convenience as much as anything made me try this one first. A tip is that if you are dining singularly or as a couple, ask to sit at the Bar rather than in the dining room, as 1. You’ll get seated quicker, 2. You get better views of TVs (great for catching up on sport) and 3. It is actually a nicer environment. Many people simply go for the buffet option here, and it is actually a nice choice, but being the vacationing Englishman looking for a meal to set him up for the whole day, I went for the NY Strip Steak, 3 Eggs and Rosti. Washed down with a couple of OJ’s and some coffee. It was a tremendous way to start the day!
The following day, after a very late night playing cards (which ended at 8am!) I went to Denny’s on the strip between Harrahs and Venetian/Palazzo. Plumped for the Blueberry Pancakes, Bacon, Scrambled eggs and maple syrup combination that always looks SO good. It wasn’t. The pancakes were heavy, the bacon so crispy I had to break it up and scoop it up with a spoon and the Eggs were too dry. I wouldn’t overly recommend it (but the French Toast looked ACE!)
Next was the Cafe Bellagio – same tip as Grand Lux Cafe, walk straight to the front of the probable long line and ask for counter seating. They don’t have the sports TVs of GL, but the food is just as good. Again it was Steak and Eggs for me, again with Rosti, and again it was delicious. There is something so naughty about eating Steak at 10am in the morning! My breakfast partner had a garden omelette, which had fresh green veg in it. It looked rubbish compared to my Steak, but she assured me it was very nice.
A speed breakfast followed the next day at Starbucks on Fremont Street. A dry muffin and an over priced cup of coffee, but we did get to sit outside properly…if Fremont Street can be described as outside. It was distinctly average, and distinctly exactly the same as any Starbucks anywhere in the world. The company seems to thrive on delivered consistently average food and drinks. Fair play to them.
No proper breakfast the next day as by the time I finished playing it was almost lunchtime. Does Celery count as breakfast? Does it count as breakfast when it is served in a Bloody Mary? I hope so. So that day I had Celery, Olive and Tomato Juice breakfast. And very nice they all were too.
Went back to Grand Lux Cafe the next day. Steak / Eggs / Rosti repeat. Winner.
Again I skipped breakfast on Day 7, slept through until 3pm, was a very heavy night. On my last morning, I’d arranged to meet some friends at The Rockhouse in the Venetian/Palazzo. I was a bit late so by the time we sat down it was more brunch than breakfast so I went for the Philly Cheese Steak. Was lovely, but not quite as good as my Grand Lux steak n eggs.
So my best breakfast? Venetian Grand Lux Cafe, sitting at the bar, Steak, Eggs, Rosti and OJ. Watching sport on the TVs, which is the only reason it beats Cafe Bellagio.
Oh…and I may have found the Breakfast of Champions, but I failed in my quest to become a Champion of Poker!