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The R&I list breaks it down so we can compare oranges to oranges. There's total sales, the size of the average dinner check, number of meals served, and seats per square footage. And when you look at the numbers, you can see that Tao Las Vegas isn't the top moneymaker by just a little. Its 2009 sales revenues are more than double its nearest competitor -- which, sadly, was the recently shuttered Tavern on the Green, despite the fact that the average dinner check at Tao was only five bucks higher than the Tavern's, and Tao actually seated only about a quarter the number of diners that the Tavern did. So far, the venerable Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach is hanging on at third place -- with numbers strikingly similar to the Tavern's.
Tao Las Vegas was clearly the star for 2009, but to state the glaringly obvious, it was a tough year for restaurants in general. R&I reports that the combined food-and-beverage sales last year were $1.37 billion, which sounds impressive until you consider that 2008's sales were $1.52 billion. That's a precipitous drop, which may explain why the number-two-grossing restaurant in the nation still had trouble staying afloat. The restaurant industry is holding its collective breath, counting on better days ahead -- and a healthier list from R&I next year.
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4-02-2010 @9:09PM chris said... Biggest problem as of late with restaurants in the upper end price area. They forget what we came to the restaurant for. TO BE FED. TO leave satisfied, and filled . So much is being spent on decor, theme, and absurd theater. ( The most ridiculous one I saw in vegas was the "Wine models" rappeling down a wall of wine to get my bottle.). I'm frankley getting very tired of BIg plates ,little food restaurants, and wait staff that act like they are doing you a favor by waiting on you.
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4-02-2010 @10:13PM glenn said... AMEN ! ! ! ! !
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4-02-2010 @10:07PM Joe Papierz Jr said... With all the adjustments the article makes: "There's total sales, the size of the average dinner check, number of meals served, and seats per square footage." you could make probably a case for the local hamburger shack making it into the top 100 restaurants.
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4-02-2010 @10:24PM Sally Hiatt said... I have had mostly good experiences in Las Vegas, other than the price. Emerils Seafood House in the MGM was terrific and the waiters were very nice and very good at thier jobs. At a small restaurant in the Venetian my Grandson wanted biscuits and gravy and I asked the man if he had any, and he said no, but Ill make him some. Brought out a huge platter and said no charge. I could tell you more good experiences, but I really do enjoy going there, and if they are nasty, I dont go back. The MGM Buffet is great and the staff is good too.
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4-04-2010 @2:32PM raysmithson1 said... too many mexicans cooking the food ,,, more moneys than it's worth. we have to get the govt. out of our lifes, the suck the profit cousing us to have to pay and charge more ,,, chicka
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4-03-2010 @12:33AM Rambo said... Common tourists ?
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4-03-2010 @12:58AM Glenn said... We have eaten at Emirel's Delmonico and, though not inexpensive by any means, The service is empecable. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is treated like a V.I.P. Save some cash, and try one of the better restaurants in Vegas. It's not all about the gambling.
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4-07-2010 @1:09AM whino3 said... I noticed from these comments that the people are either racist or can't spell....is that a common thing?
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4-03-2010 @5:12AM Jaze said... Yeah. Pretty much everything is Obama's fault or the fault of segregation and affirmative action!
4-03-2010 @2:08AM alikat said... Each resturant is different as well as each customer will have preferances to what they like and their expectations while dining out...from a customers point of view :
what is the most important?
which is the least important?
Food Quality
Service
Environment
Prices
Menu Options
Location
Keep in mind there a ton of factors within the resturant...as a server i can tell you that most patrons don't realize that there are 2, (yes TWO) minimum wages...for example in NJ...the "reg. min. wage" is 7.15/hr, but for a server or employee that recieves most of there salary on tips their "min. wage" is 2.15/hr. So, yes when the previous table dips out on their check or tips in change, we may be a ticked off or a bit edgy, because that can be a difference of being $5 short of rent/bills.
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4-03-2010 @3:59AM Kathleen said... Las Vegas has many great Restaurants , I lot of them are $$$, If you want a nice meal at a fair price. When your in "Vegas" try a place called DESSY "B"s STEAKHOUSE located just off the Las Vegas strip about 3 minutes east of the MGM on Tropicana ave, its a good place for a great steak,fresh salads or some awesome seafood like lobster or shrimp sampi and lots more choices! The prices are very good & the portion size of the plates are very nice.Have fun! & Win Big in Vegas with a great meal.
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4-03-2010 @1:48PM Laura said... My husband and I eat at Tao everytime we are in Vegas. We have never had a bad experience. The food is always fabulous and the service wonderful. The staff is friendly and informative (unlike their stuck-up equivalents at Tao New York.) I always recommend Tao to friends traveling to Vegas and am always pleased to hear about their wonderful experience. Tao Vegas is a step above...Now, their recently opened LAVO restaurant is another story...
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