Just check out some of the award-winning top Las Vegas restaurants that participate in this money-saving program:

• Fresh fish and creamy chowders at Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood at the posh Mandalay Bay resort

• Succulent steaks at Rare 120 or coffee-shop favs at the famous Mr Lucky’s, both inside the Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

• Authentic Italian favorites at Valentino Las Vegas inside the elegant Venetian Hotel

• Spicy South-of-the-border specials at the rockin’ Tacos and Tequila at the Luxor

• LV’s only revolving restaurant offering breath-taking views and fine cuisine, the Stratosphere’s Top of the World

Buy several coupons and save on every Las Vegas dinner during your next trip.

Here’s the latest code and link for your path to big dining discounts!

ONE DAY ONLY! Save 90% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificates! Use code WOW at checkout through 9/30/10.

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Stay, dine and see a show at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas for less. This plush resort is offering great deals right now.

Mandalay Bay is one of our favorite Strip hotels in Las Vegas and everything from the rooms to the restaurants to tickets for the award-winning show, The Lion King, are on sale now!

From that first whiff of the pineapple coconut-scented lobby, we know we have arrived at Mandalay Bay, a lush Caribbean-themed resort on the Las Vegas Strip.  There are so many things to enjoy while staying here that there’s really no reason to venture out if a laid-back, relaxing trip is the goal.

Mandalay Bay “More for Less” Rates from $89.99/nt. *Includes: $25 Food and Beverage Credit, $100 Cabana Credit, 25% Off Spa Treatments, Complimentary Access to House of Blues Foundation Room, 50% off mid-week entry into Moorea Beach (Monday-Thursday,) 2-for-1 Original Margaritas at Hussong’s Mexican Cantina, and 2-for-1 Breakfast at House of Blues (Monday – Thursday) – (*See site for additional details and restrictions.) Good for travel select dates March 8 – Sept. 9, 2010. Promo Code: PHSPR10 (Exp 9/9/10).

Pool — Home to one of the best pool complexes in Las Vegas, the Mandalay Bay Beach Club is one of the big attractions drawing visitors from all over the world.  Located on 11 acres, Mandalay Bay Beach offers a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, jogging track and 2,700 tons of real sand.  There’s even a beachside casino located just steps from the pool.

Restaurants — Sushi to steaks, burgers to pasta, Mandalay Bay has a fabulous array of restaurants and we have the promo code to get $25 worth of dining for just $2 right now.  Here are the hotel restaurants participating in this money-saving program:  (Click the name of the restaurant for more info and to purchase the certificates!)

Aureole – Home of the famous flying “wine angels,” this beautiful spot features a fabulous seasonal menu from Chef Charlie Palmer.  Be sure to leave room for dessert from the decadent sweets menu.

Mix In Las Vegas – Perched atop THE Hotel at the resort, MIX is one of the most beautiful dining spots in all of Vegas. Inside hangs the largest chandelier in the world with 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls plus a menu originally composed by French Master Chef Alain Ducasse and a balcony that offers the best sunset view of THE Strip.

Shanghai Lilly – We’ve heard good things about the eclectic Cantonese cuisine featuring some spicy Szechwan dishes plus the relaxing dining room looks perfect for kicking back and sharing a meal.

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas

Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood — If you love creamy clam chowder, garlicky steamed mussels and the freshest fish prepared in a variety of mouth-watering ways, then RM Seafood is for you. The casual downstairs bar and grill is our favorite place to order up a couple of ice cold beers and enjoy bowls of clams and mussels swimming in fragrant broth served with lots of crunchy cheese-topped country bread perfect for sopping up all that great liquid.

Raffles Cafe — Mandalay Bay’s 24-hour restaurant offers diners breakfast, lunch or dinner in a relaxed yet beautiful atmosphere.  From waffles to prime rib, this cafe has it all.

NEW to Restaurant.com — Mizuya Sushi and Sake and The Cafe plus The Noodle Shop all at Mandalay Bay!

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas.

Save on The Lion King – The Tony award-winning Broadway favorite, The Lion King, has been wowing audiences in Las Vegas with its soaring musical score, fantastic costumes and make-up and magical storyline since opening at Mandalay Bay.  Visit BestOfVegas.com and receive a Complimentary Upgrade to VIP seating (Your Price: $126.00, Regular Price: $177.25) or a Category 3 Upgrade to Category 2 (Your Price: $93.00, Regular Price: $133.25).

Room deal: For Best Rates at Mandalay Bay, Book Online!
Restaurant discounts: Click here for Restaurant.com Gift Certificates
Show tickets and more!: BestOfVegas.com

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In-house aging is one key to the juicy tender steaks at STRIPSTEAK LV.

I recently had lunch with a friend of mine (a professional food writer and guest reviewer here) who made the most spot-on comment I’ve ever heard when it comes to Chef Michael Mina’s food: “The man is a wizard with potatoes!” So, you’re thinking if this is a review on STRIPSTEAK LV, why do I care what the chef does with potatoes? It’s the meat that matters not the sides. Well, in this case, while the steaks are more than worthy, it is definitely the spuds that make for a memorable meal. And, did we mention that said spuds are free? No kidding, these crisp crunchy beauties come courtesy of the chef… au gratis… n/c.

First, the restaurant itself: Located at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, the space is sleek and edgy with enough hard surfaces to make sound somewhat of an issue if you were hoping for an intimate dinner for two.* But keep in mind, the sound bouncing from walls to ceiling comes from people having fun! This is a great spot for celebrations like bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday bashes and other group events or for couples looking to dine in a high-energy atmosphere. (We had a terrific time chatting away with the couple at the table next to us who also happened to be from Phoenix. Yeah, it’s that kind of place.)

This trio of spectacular fries is presented au gratis with dinner at the winning STRIPSTEAK LV.

The fries: Okay, back to those marvelous complimentary potatoes. After ordering drinks (wine for P.B., a draft for me) and dinner, the server brought out this very cool serving stand filled with three tubs of perfectly cooked-in-duck-fat fries – herb-flecked, paprika-dusted and saffron garlic – along with three dipping sauces: housemade ketchup, perky BBQ sauce and our hands-down favorite, a luxurious truffle cream sauce I would’ve eaten with a spoon! The serving is so large we couldn’t finish it but, oh, how we tried.

Dinner: For an appetizer, we chose to share the Maine lobster fritters, a dish we unfortunately wouldn’t order again. The batter was too heavy for the delicate seafood flavor to come through and the bacon mentioned in the menu description seemed to be AWOL from our dish. In hindsight, we would have merrily munched on the fries with our drinks and ordered a salad to share with the yummy warm potato focaccia (served in a cast iron skillet) before the main course. For our steaks, we chose the American Kobe beef – the Rib Eye ($64) for P.B. and the Rib Cap ($65) for me. (STRIPSTEAK also offers Japanese A5 Wagyu beef at Market Price.) Chef Mina’s steaks are heralded for their cooking method which entails a long slow-poach in clarified butter and then a quick turn on a high heat (think 1,000 degrees!) grill. The process renders a steak that is meltingly tender inside with a beautifully crusty exterior. As we expected, our steaks were superb. As a side, we shared a de-lish mountain of creamed spinach topped with crumbled bacon bits. (Note to self: next time we eat here, we walk back to our room at the Bellagio.)

Well-marbled and perfectly cooked, the rib cap American Kobe steak is a terrific menu choice.

Dessert: Overkill for sure but the “Beignets with Macallan 18-Year Butterscotch Pudding” were just way too tempting to resist and we’re so glad we didn’t. Plump, fluffy pillows of warm donut dipped in scotch-flavored caramel pudding…uh, what’s not to like? (Do be aware that the liquor really comes through in this decidedly “adult-flavored” dessert.)

Service and other highlights:

Excellent, attentive service even on a busy Saturday night during prime time dining hours of 8 – 10 pm.

Another freebie courtesy of STRIPSTEAK — A bag of gourmet dark-chocolate-drizzled caramel corn made in-house sends you out the door.

I have to say that I knew we were in for a great meal when Las Vegas local, UNLV professor and famed foodie, Patti Shock, highly recommended the place to me via Twitter. (If you are interested in food and Las Vegas you should follow her.  @PattiShock)

The best: We used a $25 certificate purchased for $2 at Restaurant.com (use coupon code “FOUR” and the link below) to pay for part of the meal.  At the restautant, be sure to present it early on so they have time to validate the certificate before the check comes.

STRIPSTEAK definitely merits a top spot on our list of “Best Las Vegas Steakhouses.”

(*Looking for a romantic spot to dine? Try Fleur De Lys or Mix In Las Vegas, both located at Mandalay Bay and both participate in the Restaurant.com certificate program.)

Save 80% off on every $25 Gift Certificate order. Use code “FOUR” and pay just $2 through 10/12/09 only at Restaurant.com.

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Take in a show this fall then head to the new Pink's at Planet Hollywood for one of their legendary dogs.

We’re starting a new feature this week — Friday Finds – featuring news about Las Vegas that we find interesting plus lots of great deals on Las Vegas hotel discounts, travel packages, shows, concerts, restaurants and more.  Take a look at what we’ve seen and heard this week:

We’re really digging some of the shows planned for this fall at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s “The Joint.”  Tickets are on sale now for Van Morrison (September 25,) Creed in concert on September 27, actor/comedian Dane Cook on both October 9th and 10th at 8:30pm plus one of our all-time favorites, Bob Dylan, on Sunday, October 18th at 8 pm.

At Mandalay Bay, Britney Spears is back with her “Circus” tour; this time featuring special guests Jordin Sparks and Kristinia DeBarge.  Special room + ticket deals are available at these properties:

Luxor “Britney Spears” Concert and Room Package. *Package Price of $154.00 plus tax and resort fee on Sunday September 27th includes: One night stay in a Tower Deluxe Room and Two tickets to Britney Spears in concert at the Mandalay Bay Event Center on Sunday, September 27 at 8pm (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 24 – 30, 2009. Promo Code: PBRIT (Exp 9/24/09)

Mandalay Bay “Britney Spears” Rates from $194/nt. *The Final Act of the Circus Tour Starring Britney Spears at Mandalay Bay Sunday, September 27 –Book Mandalay Bay and receive 2 tickets to see Britney Spears Live in Concert on Sunday, September 27 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Sep 22 – 30, 2009. Promo Code: PBRITH (Exp 10/1/09).

Also at the Mandalay Bay Events Center this fall, look for Grammy® -winning superstar Justin Timberlake who’s bringing his “Justin Timberlake and Friends, a Special Evening Benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children” event to the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 8 PM.  Ticket prices for this charity concert range from $100 – $250. Check out tickets here: Justin Timberlake Las Vegas

On the restaurant front, don’t forget that Pink’s in now open at Planet Hollywood. The hot dog haven (which has been in business since 1939)  has a loyal following — and a sometimes hour-long wait — at its original location in the city of Hollywood.

This week’s restaurant.com deal: Take 50% off w/every $25 Gift Certificate order! Use code MENU and pay $5 thru 9/8/09 at Restaurant.com. And just a hint, when you do use these certificates toward your meal, be sure to give it to the server early on so they have time to validate the certificate number before you get your final bill.

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Stratta will be one of the restaurants at Wynn Las Vegas honoring Julia Child at Restaurant Week Las Vegas 2009. (Photo/content copyright RoyallyFlushed.com 2009)

Masters in their own right, top chefs at Wynn Las Vegas and sister property, Encore, will be paying tribute to culinary icon Julia Child throughout next week’s Las Vegas Restaurant Week. Chefs like Alessandro Stratta, chief toque at Wynn’s two-star Michelin rated French restaurant ALEX and the more casual rustic Italian restaurant, STRATTA, will be offering special and specially-priced menus based on dishes associated with Julia Child and her impact on American cuisine.

Chef Stratta, who met and cooked for Child during his run at Renoir at Mirage Las Vegas, will be preparing his rendition of lobster Newberg at ALEX while at STRATTA, he’ll be offering a special version of coq au vin, the classic dish of chicken, mushroom, onions, bacon and herbs cooked in red wine and served with egg noodles. Diners will be paying at most $50.09 to dine at these and other top Las Vegas dining spots during the national charitable event. A portion of the proceeds from Restaurant Week Las Vegas will benefit Three Square Food Bank, a partner organization of Feeding America, which is working to end hunger in Southern Nevada.

Also at Wynn Las Vegas, award-winning chef Paul Bartolotta of Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare will draw on his experience of cooking for Child more than six times when he prepares moules a la mariniere along with gnocchi alla pariginia grainati al formaggi—sumptuous pasta pillows filled with cheese.

At The Country Club – A New American Steakhouse, diners can indulge in a number of Child-inspired creations including one of my personal favorites, coquilles St. Jacques a la Parisienne, a dish that features plump scallops and earthy mushrooms in a decadent white wine sauce. Chef of The Country Club, Carlos Guia, also has experience cooking for Child and in the August issue of Wynn Resort’s newsletter said this — “Her visit to Lutèce was both unexpected and truly special. Before leaving, she took the time to come into the kitchen, thank us personally and tell us how much she enjoyed her meal,” says Chef Guía.

Chef Mark LoRusso, the man in charge at the Encore-located Botero will be channeling Julia Child with his preparation of sole a la Normandie, a particularly scrumptious dish featuring the delicate fish alongside mussels and shrimp in a wine-infused sauce. Having tasted what LoRusso can do with Dover sole, this is no doubt a dish not to be missed.  Check out our review of Botero.

Other Wynn Resorts dining establishments participating in Restaurant Week include Sinatra, Society Café and Switch at Encore and Daniel Boulud Brasserie, Okada and SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas.

A complete list of participating Restaurant Week establishments may be found by visiting www.threesquare.org.

80% off w/every $25 Gift Cert. order. Use code TASTE. Pay $2 thru 8/31/09 at Restaurant.com.

If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://www.RoyallyFlushed.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at c.c.royal@royallyflushed.com PLEASE. All text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. © 2008-2009 RoyallyFlushed.com

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"MGM Grand restaurant SeaBlue will be just one of the top dining spots participating in next week's Las Vegas Restaurant Week." Photo/content copyright 2009 RoyallyFlushed.com

Restaurant Week Las Vegas starts just one week from now and brings with it your chance to try some of the city’s best – and we mean absolute BEST – restaurants for a fixed price of $20.09, $30.09 or a high (we think “low”) of $50.09. Running from August 31 through Sept. 6, more than 50 of the city’s top dining establishments will participate in the annual event which benefits Three Square Food Bank, a partner organization of Feeding America. Working to end hunger in Southern Nevada, a portion of all Restaurant Week sales will benefit Three Square.

When we say best, we aren’t kidding. Take a look at just some of the top restaurants (link to a list of all participating restaurants at the end of the post) that will be firing up the stoves for this national charitable event:

Wynn/Encore: Alex, Botero, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, Daniel Boulud Brasserie

MGM Grand: Cat House, Diego, Pearl Chinese Restaurant, SeaBlue

Caesars Palace: Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill, Bradley Ogden

Palazzo/Venetian: Pinot Brasserie, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro

Mandalay Bay: miX, Fleur de Lys (a favorite of ours,) RM Seafood, Aureole

Bellagio: Prime Steakhouse, Café Bellagio

In addition to the special pricing on select meals, many of the city’s best resorts are also offering Restaurant Week diners exclusive entertainment, spa and overnight packages.

For instance, MGM Grand is offering deluxe accommodations and a tasting menu for two starting at just $159 at any one of their signature restaurants including L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Nobhill Tavern, SeaBlue, Italian favorite FiAMMA, Diego, Pearl, Shibuya and the highly-rated Tom Colicchio restaurant, Craftsteak.

At Bellagio, the “Unforgettable Night” package is just $178 per person and includes a ticket to “O™” by Cirque du Soleil®, a prix fixe dinner menu at FIX or Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge (terrific sushi!), a complimentary drink at Caramel Bar & Lounge as well as complimentary entrance to the high-energy nightclub, The Bank.

At Mandalay Bay, Aureole, Fleur de Lys, miX, Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood and StripSteak will all offer specially priced three and four-course tasting menus to pair nicely with the resort’s overnight packages. Both Mandalay Bay and THEhotel will offer special room rates for Restaurant Week visitors that include a dining credit to the House of Blues Restaurant plus other resort goodies.

There are no “tickets” but reservations should be made in advance if you want to secure your seat at the table for what will most definitely be a busy week at participating restaurants.

A complete list of participating Restaurant Week establishments may be found by visiting www.threesquare.org.

Tomorrow, see what the chefs at Wynn and Encore have planned for Restaurant Week Las Vegas.

MGM Grand Las Vegas “Maximum Escape” Rates from $69.99/nt. *Plus, $35 Activity Credit (per stay), 2 Line passes to Studio 54 or Tabu, and 25% off Spa Services (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Jun 23, 2009 – May 31, 2010. Promo Code: MKT205 (Exp 12/30/09)

Bellagio Hotel Promotions

Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas

If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://www.RoyallyFlushed.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at c.c.royal@royallyflushed.com PLEASE. All text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. © 2008-2009 RoyallyFlushed.com

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A dedicated wine room overlooks the main dining area at the contemporary French gem, Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas. (All photos and content property of www.royallyflushed.com)

In honor of this week’s episode of “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo TV, we give you our review of chef/competitor Hubert Keller’s splendid Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. (Warning: gushing ahead!)

This last trip to Las Vegas was memorable for a number of reasons not the least of which was not only did we enjoy a superb dinner at contemporary French restaurant, Fleur de Lys, but also because we had the unique opportunity to meet the chef. (We have been fans of Chef Hubert Keller’s food for years after having dined at his original San Francisco outpost several times over the years so meeting him was a real treat.)

But, more on that later: first, we’ll highlight the food and atmosphere of  Fleur De Lys at Mandalay Bay. (By the way, we used one of our fav dining discounts – a $25 certificate (our cost $5) from Restaurant.com toward our check. See details at the end of the post.)

The space: This is a romantic Las Vegas restaurant perfect for couples and it seems especially designed for those celebrating special occasions. In addition to the low-lighting, lush smoky velvet drapes, widely-spaced tables and hushed atmosphere, the compact space somehow fits in several private, curtained tables for the ultimate in cozy dining. Although compact in floor-space, the room is easily two or more stories high and features a second-floor wine room overlooking the main dining area. (The night of our visit, a private table for two was in use in the glass-fronted, candle-lit space so you may be able to book a table there in advance.)

The focal point of the room is a huge leaf-shaped wall sculpture made entirely of hundreds of fresh peachy-pink rosebuds. When we remarked on it, our server shared that a local floral company came in daily to replace any spent blossoms.

The food: For a chef who has been re-interpreting French classics for decades, Chef Keller’s dishes are as fresh and imaginative as they were twenty years ago. While looking over the inventive wine list – a menu of specialty cocktails is also available – the kitchen sent out an amuse bouche of a tiny bite of cod paired with a creamy smidge of warm potato salad and a spicy aioli sauce.

Tender monkfish, clams and mussels served atop flavorful barley is a winning entree.

Having settled on a bottle of the Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($75,) we indulged in the chewy pretzel bread while deciding on the night’s meal. We began the meal by splitting a light salad of organic greens and heirloom tomatoes in a perky herb vinaigrette.

For entrees, we chose the citrus-glazed monkfish ($43) with clams, mussels and chorizo sausage and the “gently heated” Alaskan King salmon filet ($39.) The generous monkfish plate was a riot of color, flavors and textures with the lobster-like sweetness and meatiness of the fish playing off the briny taste of petite mussels and clams and all set off by a risotto-like side of creamy barley festooned with bits of oven-roasted tomatoes, baby broccoli florets and a smoky dice of chorizo.

Though simpler in presentation and number of ingredients, the Alaskan King salmon filet was a master’s example of how to treat a scrumptious piece of fresh fish. Oven-roasted at just 200 degrees, the fish emerges from cooking with a silky, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and clean, smooth flavor. The accompanying julienne of beets and surprisingly mellow apple rosemary puree and horseradish chive bouillon served to accent rather than overwhelm the pearly filets. We would most definitely order both dishes should they be on the menu on our next trip.

Even though both entrees were more than generous, we specifically went light on the first course so that we could indulge in something sweet post-entrees.  While chocolate and Grand Marnier soufflés are available (order early in the evening to ensure ample time for prep) and we saw several tables sharing the airy confections, we chose the appealing carrot cake ice cream sandwich ($12) and finished every bite. Luscious cream cheese-flavored ice cream was fitted between two slabs of moist carrot cake, the whole sprinkled with candied walnuts and served with a decadent scoop of pineapple coconut ice cream.

The service:  Excellent service with attentive yet non-intrusive servers.

Back to meeting the chef: While we were sipping our wine and relaxing before the first course, out from behind the long velvet drapes that line the front of the restaurant, pops Chef Keller himself – sort of like a culinary Wizard of Oz.  It was so cool to see him in Las Vegas and according to our server, he visits Mandalay Bay for at least one week each month.  Table to table he went, greeting diners and making small talk. Once he reached our table we couldn’t help but ask about his “Top Chef Masters’” experience (he enjoyed it immensely) and compliment him on the many dinners we’ve enjoyed throughout the years at his restaurants.  (For a “foodie” like me, meeting Chef Keller is like coming face-to-face with a rock star you’ve listened to for years!)

More reviews at urbanspoon.

More info:  Save money while dining at some of the best spots in Las Vegas! Save 80% Off w/every $25 Gift Cert. order. Use code PORTION. Pay $2 thru 8/13/09 at Restaurant.com.

Mandalay Bay Resort is a fabulous place to stay while in Las Vegas (have you seen the extensive pool area and “beachside casino?”) plus you can’t beat the great online rates right now.  Check out  Special Online Promotions at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas

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The ethereal Mix at Mandalay Bay offers diners luxurious surroundings, superb food and a fabulous view of The Strip and all at a discount this summer.

If you’re like us, planning the perfect trip to Las Vegas starts with finding the best Vegas hotel room at the lowest rate. Once we’ve secured where we’re staying, we go right on to figuring out the next most important trip detail — where we’re going to eat while we’re in town! We love great food and we love great deals so when we can combine the two it’s like hitting the Vegas dining deal equivalent of a Wheel of Fortune jackpot.

That’s exactly how we feel about the gift certificates available through Restaurant.com. We’ve written about these before and frankly, we really don’t know why everybody isn’t using them not only in Las Vegas but in any vacation spot around the country not to mention for restaurants in their own hometowns. (We and our friends use them here in Phoenix all the time.)

So, we’re writing about them again because in looking over the list of restaurants to choose from for our late-July trip, we were so excited to see a bunch of terrific Mandalay Bay restaurants added to the selection. Here’s a recap on the deal: for just $10, you buy $25 restaurant gift certificates from restaurant.com good at top spots all over Vegas. But, wait (yes, we do know we sound like an infomercial!) use this restaurant discount code SEVENTY and get those same $25 certificates for just $3 now through July 13.

Now, check out the great slate of Mandalay Bay restaurants that are participating in the program –

Fleur De Lys – Renowned chef Hubert Keller’s contemporary French restaurant. We’ve been fans of Keller since he hit the dining scene in San Francisco and we watched as he recently competed on the Bravo TV show “Top Chef Masters.” (He was the winner of that round so we look forward to seeing him in the series finale later this summer.)

Aureole – Home of the famous flying “wine angels” this beautiful spot features a fabulous seasonal menu from Chef Charlie Palmer, by far one of the most influential chefs working in America today. Oh, and did we mention the “to-die-for” dessert list or that on our last visit we stopped in the bar to have a drink and sat two seats down from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne? Uh, yeah.

Mix In Las Vegas – Perched atop THE Hotel at the resort, MIX is one of the most beautiful dining spots in all of Vegas. Inside hangs the largest chandelier in the world with 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls, a menu originally composed by French Master Chef Alain Ducasse and a balcony that offers the best sunset view of THE Strip. Really.

Strip Steak – As much as we love BOA at Caesars Palace, we’re going to give Michael Mina’s Strip Steak a whirl this trip and check out why it was awarded “Best Steak in America 2008″ by Esquire magazine.

Shanghai Lilly – We haven’t been there yet but we’ve heard good things about the eclectic Cantonese cuisine featuring some spicy Szechwan dishes plus they have a $29 all-you-can-eat Shabu Shabu menu.

Along with these new additions to the restaurant.com list, don’t forget old favs like Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood, also at Mandalay Bay, Hawaiian Tropic Zone (Inside Miracle Mile Shops @ Planet Hollywood) and well-known locals hang-out, Hash House A Go Go.

Follow the link below and again, use code SEVENTY to get in on the $3 deal. And, like everything else, be sure to read the details on each restaurant’s offer before you purchase.

Save 70% off of $25 Gift Certificates when you use code SEVENTY.Pay $3 thru 7/13/09 only at Restaurant.com.

Casino Destinations: Book early & save! Air + 4 nights from $205! Expires 7/25/09

Top Travel Deals at Expedia.com

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We love the Spanish-influenced menu at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in the Fashion Show mall (not to mention the very yummy sangrias and specialty cocktails!) so we really dig their fun Dad’s Day deal — the perfectly named “Tapas for Papas” breakfast happening this Sunday.  Dad can nosh on goodies like Eggs Benedict with Spanish Ham and Hollandaise or the homemade Waffle with Bananas and Cream from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. plus all Dads dining that day will receive a $25 gift certificate good for a future visit!

Down the street, at another of the Strip’s major shopping venues — the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood — Dad can eat free at Pampas Brazilian Grill.   Just send your first and last name to saleslv@pampasusa.com and receive a complimentary $40 gift certificate for Dad to enjoy a FREE DINNER anytime from now through June 30!  The offer is valid for dinner only and with purchase of additional dinner Rodizio and two drinks but hey, you are going with him, right?

For more information on these offers plus menus and more click on the “Tapas for Papas” deal at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and the “Dad’s Eat Free” deal at Pampas Brazilian Grill.

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Enjoy a special "Taste of Wynn" menu -- and price -- at Wazuzu at Encore this summer.

It’s not going out on much of a limb to say that the best Las Vegas restaurants — as a group — are found at Wynn Las Vegas and sister property Encore.  From the rarefied atmosphere of Alex at Wynn to the over-the-top “Muffy in Wonderland” decor of Society Café at Encore, Wynn restaurants are a “must-do” for any Vegas visitor.  So, when we heard about the “Taste of Wynn” dining promotion, we couldn’t wait to check out the menus, prices and all the details.

Here’s the deal:  Ten top restaurants are offering special signature menus this summer with prices starting at just $29 for pan-Asian stunner Wazuzu at Encore and ranging up to $95 for dinner at our absolute favorite Vegas restaurant, Alex.  Special times and days do apply and you have to mention the “Taste of Wynn” promotion when calling for reservations.

Currently on the menu at Alex, guests can choose from a starter of sea scallops or black truffle risotto; a main dish of beef tenderloin or Hawaiian onaga plus a choice of dessert with an agonizing decision between Vanilla Citrus Parfait with Toasted Marshmallow Creme or Crunchy Chocolate Caramel Bombe.  (Okay, I give up — just give me both!)

Another feature of the “Taste of Wynn” dining discount ties the special restaurant prices to a $25 discount on show tickets to Wynn resort’s aquatic spectacular, Le Rêve.

You can check out all the menus, prices, times and more on this fantastic Las Vegas dining deal at Wynn’s website.  Reservations for dining and/or show tickets can be made by calling (702) 770-DINE.  Be sure to mention “Taste of Wynn” to get the special pricing.

And for more great dining deals, don’t forget to check out 80% off of $25 Gift Certificates when you use code PRESENT. Pay just $2 thru 6/15/09 only at Restaurant.com.

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Summer deals await at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Time is running out to book this Las Vegas suites and dining deal from The Venetian.  Starting at just $109 per night weekdays, The Venetian, one of the top Las Vegas hotels, is offering guests a luxury suite plus:

• 25% off bill at Postrio, Wolfgang Puck’s trendy Grand Canal Shoppes eatery.
• $50 off any spa service 80 minutes or longer at Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.
• $30 off your dining bill at Woo (with $60 minimum purchase) located at sister property, The Palazzo.
• Complimentary upgrade to Blue Zone tickets with purchase of Red Zone tickets to The Venetian’s popular Blue Man Group stage show.
• $50 in Slot Credits per stay.

Be sure to use Venetian promotion code “EVBMAY” when booking your Las Vegas room.  Hotel reservations at The Venetian must be made by May 31 to take advantage of this special offer.

To book your luxury Las Vegas room, click here:  Venetian Summer Room Promotion

Other great Las Vegas promotions can be found here: Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

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1.  Check out this very cool eBags “Piazza Day Bag.”  We love the summery violet color, all the zippered pockets and compartments (perfect for holding our players club cards!) plus the adjustable shoulder strap makes it very easy to carry.  It’s an eBags award-winner and at $49.99, it’s a great deal for a good-looking organizer bag Mom will love.  (You can check out other colors when you visit the eBags site.)

2. If Mom loves to play cards — from Texas Hold ‘Em to Bridge! — she’ll really enjoy receiving and wearing this Eve’s Addiction Lucky Club Casino Pendant. In sterling silver and featuring sparkling CZ accents, this fun necklace is sure to be one of her favorites.  Order now from Amazon and get an extra 20% off the low price of $28 plus FREE shipping for a gift you’ll both love.

3.  Okay, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again:  We LOVE our iPods!  From listening to the latest music to all the free podcasts we download each week — we have our earbuds plugged in almost every day.  The cool new Apple iPod nano 8 GB Pink (4th Generation) is our current favorite.  The vibrant fuchsia tone makes it easy to find in our tote bags and the clear, bright LCD screen makes navigation much easier than in earlier models.

4.  Give Mom a reason to go out on the town more often with these amazing Restaurant.com gift certificates.  For just $10 each, you can buy Mom $25 worth of dining at your choice of 1,000′s of restaurants around the country.  (Yes, you read that correctly, JUST $10 EACH for $25 in individual restaurant credit!)  You can choose restaurants in your own town or pick some great Vegas spots if Mom has a trip planned for the summer.  Either way, it’s a sweet deal on a great gift!   Restaurant.com Gift Certificates

Just in — this great 20% OFF coupon from eBags.com! Get 20% Off Now Through Sunday May 3 at eBags.com

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Michael Mina's Nobhill at MGM Grand Las Vegas serves a stellar soup & sandwich nosh.

In this Part 2 of our “Top Las Vegas Chefs for Less” post, we show you how to save money on more great Las Vegas restaurants.  While we always plan for one extravagant gourmet meal — hello, Botero! — we actually enjoy our visits to casual Vegas restaurants just as much and these “name” chefs have made it easy for us to sample their culinary talents for a lot less dough.

Here are three more Vegas dining deals:

BLT Burger at Mirage – Chef Laurent Tourondel, acclaimed toque behind BLT Steak, BLT Fish and more, knows his way around a burger and a milkshake. How a classically-trained French chef came about making what is arguably one of the best shakes in the country is a mystery but, heck, you don’t need to know how a combustion engine works to enjoy driving a Porsche either. Debating whether to eat here? Check out this comment reader “Amy” left on our earlier review here at RF: “I truly believe they mix magic into the chocolate shake at the BLT burger. I would seriously fly there from Wisconsin to get one. We ate there last October and then again on the last night of our trip, when both my husband and I agreed we’d rather have another of these chocolate shakes than anything else we could get in Las Vegas.” Now that’s what I call a ringing endorsement.  (Our review on BLT Burger can be found here.)

Nobhill Tavern at MGM Grand – Michael Mina of Bourbon Steak, SeaBlue, and the elegant, eponymous Michael Mina at Bellagio offers a fun, less expensive lounge menu at this sleek intimate gem hidden in the sprawling MGM resort. Try the Lobster Grilled Cheese sandwich with Roasted Tomato Soup (pictured) then share a dessert – the decadent Candy Bar is a winner — for a taste of Chef Mina’s award-winning, San Francisco-honed cuisine.

Enoteca San Marco at the Venetian – “Molto” Mario Batali, yes, the orange-Croc-wearing dude, has a couple of fine dining establishments in Vegas – B&B also at the Venetian and CarneVino at the Palazzo – but this casual café on St. Mark’s Square in the resort gives you a feel for his rustic cooking for significantly less lira. Share one of the “daily” pizzas and indulge in a great glass of wine with a generous eight-ounce pour. Hey, it’s Vegas – live a little!  (Check out our review on Enoteca San Marco.)  For an even better deal, buy a $25 gift certificate for “ESM” for just $5 at Restaurant.com.)

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Creative gourmet sandwiches from "Top Chef" Tom Colicchio are on the menu at 'wichcraft at MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Eating well in Las Vegas isn’t hard but eating well on a budget in Las Vegas?  That’s a little more tricky.

Let’s face it — we’re all watching our pennies and nickels and dimes (and, if we have any, dollars) these days and even if we are off on vacation, we still want the most bang for our buck — especially when it comes to dining. Did you know you can experience the cuisine of several of the best chefs in Las Vegas (actually in the country!) but for a lot less money? Sure, you can spend the big bucks at their “signature” restaurants, or, for a fraction of the cost, you can eat very well at their more casual Las Vegas eateries.

Here’s a sampling of some of the best Las Vegas restaurant values:

Stratta at Wynn Las Vegas – Alex Stratta of the ultra-expensive but totally worth it, AAA Five Diamond Mobil Five Stars-winning “Alex” at Wynn Las Vegas has a much less costly trattoria-style restaurant, “Stratta,” featuring thin and crispy pizzas, homemade pastas and simple grilled items. On a recent trip, I sat at the bar and before long was joined by another single diner, Donna, and we proceeded to share a fabulous whole-leaf Caesar salad and a spicy Bianca pizza with arugula, spinach, ricotta and prosciutto while trading Las Vegas stories. The meal was excellent and throughly lived up to Alex’s attention to detail and authenticity but at a much more palatable price.

‘wichCraft at MGM Grand – Tom Colicchio, the straight-shooting “Top Chef” judge, offers creative sandwiches and grilled paninis, salads and homey desserts just a stone’s throw from his popular CraftSteak restaurant. These aren’t cheap eats but the fillings like meatloaf with cheddar and bacon or the Sicilian tuna with fennel, black olives and a lemony dressing are first-class. Also, don’t miss the dinner-plate sized Whoopie Pie – two soft chocolate cake rounds stuffed with vanilla custard. It’s easily enough for two people.  Breakfast-style sandwiches such as steak and oyster mushrooms or egg, bacon and bleu cheese are also available all day.

Now Take 70% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates at restaurant.com. Use code FEAST and pay just $3 for $25 in dining dollars thru 4/20/09.

Tomorrow – Three more suggestions in the “Top Chefs for Less” category.

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Dine for less at Enoteca San Marco at The Venetian and check out Chef Mario Batali's signature orange Crocs.

We’re always thrilled to bring you news of great deals on Las Vegas hotel rooms and now we have an amazing offer on some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas.

We’ve sung the praises of Restaurant.com in our “Las Vegas Values” article for “Casino Player” magazine (March 2009) and right here on RoyallyFlushed so we were excited to see this fantastic deal from the money-saving website.  From now through March 31 — you can purchase $25 dining coupons for just $3! Yes, you read that right…three bucks buys you twenty-five dollars in dining at restaurants all around Las Vegas.

And here’s what we really like about the program:  you buy certificates only for those restaurants you plan on visiting.  No more buying a whole “book” of coupons only to use one or two.  At Restaurant.com, you choose only those places you like or you’d like to try while on vacation.  (And if you live in Las Vegas, it’s a great way to try some new spots for a lot less dough or save some bucks at your favorite places, too.)

Here are some of our recommended restaurants in Las Vegas:

One of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, a consistent “locals favorite,” the award-winning and nationally-recognized Rosemary’s.  Chefs Michael and Wendy Jordan will wow you with their contemporary cuisine and wonderful atmosphere. Rosemary’s Restaurant

Three Strip favorites:

• RM Seafood (Located @ Mandalay Bay Shops) (Definitely have the clam chowder!)
• Border Grill at Mandalay Bay
• ENOTECA San Marco (Located Inside the Venetian Hotel & Casino) (Read our review here.)

Other favorites include Little Buddha at The Palms, Hennessey’s Las Vegas on Fremont Street downtown and Al’s Garage at The District near Green Valley Ranch.

Oh, and two other favorites of ours:

• McCormick & Schmick’s (Their planked salmon is especially good and they’re located just minutes off the Strip.)

• Hash House A Go Go — Popular with locals and visitors alike, this off-Strip joint rocks for breakfast or anytime at all!

Also, keep in mind that restaurant.com offers dining certificates for restaurants all around the country so be sure to check and see if your fav neighborhood place isn’t also on their extensive list of participating restaurants.  (We use them here in Phoenix and Scottsdale all the time!)

Here’s the link and code to get your great dining deals now: Save 70% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code SAVE and pay $3 thru 3/31/09.

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