+1 to Absinthe being the best show, but some people may not like it because it can be very crude. As they dim the lights, they give the standard warnings about no flash photography for the safety of the performers, then say "If words like fuck or shit offend you, you're in the wrong fucking show." They also ripped relentlessly on every ethnic group, political viewpoint, and gays. They did it without actually being insulting, sort of in an old school Don Rickles sort of way. Seating is very cramped, but I never once noticed after the show started, because it was so enthralling - still, a point of note if you are a person of size. Many will tell you every seat at Absinthe is great, but I like front rows.
The "schoolgirls" had a very erotic girl-girl act. Smoking-crazy hot. I have braincells dedicated to retaining this memory, even if alzheimer's sets in.
I'm also a fan of Battistias. The food tastes like someone's grandmother made it. It's not professional good, it's just good. Unlimited free wine makes it great.
Ellis Island is ok - the price point makes it a regular stop for team Zombie. I have not tried the BBQ place, but the $7.99 not-on-the-menu steak dinner has brought us back over and over again. You can read all about it (and many other places) in my trip reports from
2015 and
2015/16. Be warned, I cover a lot.
When going to the Spa,
@Mrs Poker Zombie strongly prefers Qua at Caesars. She's tried a few others but Qua wins every time.
Other shows worth an honorable mention:
Both are worth full price and seeing again. I've also seen Mystere and Love. Both are good, but I would recommend seeing them at a discount.
I also agree Hash House is good for a breakfast, but they over-season their potatoes. They did not charge us a split plate fee at the Rio location, I'm not sure if they are making that a universal policy or just at the Rio. Otherwise, order a biscuit or a bowl of froot-loops, as they tend to cost less than the split plate charge.
Earl of Sandwich is ok, but the true win is that they are cheap and on strip. Otherwise, the best subs are off strip (Capriotti's). There are a number of good pizza joints in Vegas for lunch (Secret Pizza, Project Pie), and usually no wait. They make their rent off the late night drunk crowds.
We usually only eat 2 meals a day in Vegas. Late breakfast or early lunch typically brings enough food to carry us both through to dinner. Free flowing alcohol (or soda if you're a teetotaler) gives the sugar-bump that fends off hunger until you actually need it.
The only high dollar restaurant we've hit on multiple trips has been RM Seafood (Mandalay Bay). It would be in your budget if you skipped one other meal, and you don't suck down 2 bottles of the expensive vino like I do.
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