Caesars Bacchanal Buffet: A Splendid Table, Indeed

 

 

What does a $17 million buffet taste like?

That was the question asked about the new Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace by Chris Rauschnot, writing for Huffington Post Travel.

Well, two couples wanted to find out for ourselves, so we traveled down to Caesars Palace at lunch-time on September 17 to take the Bacchanal Buffet out for a figurative spin.

This is a buffet like no other, and we think it deserves its place among the best resort buffets in Las Vegas. You will have to decide for yourself how it competes with others in the upscale category, such as the buffets at Bellagio, Wynn, Cosmopolitan, and the super-expensive Sterling Brunch at Bally’s. But it is definitely up there with the best of them.

Caesars hired Super Potato, a famed Japanese design firm, to execute a sleek, modern concept for its buffet. There is lots of glass, wood and steel in the venue’s 25,000 square feet, which seats about 600 diners. In an environmentally conscious manner, the designers used natural, recycled and reclaimed materials throughout the premises.

There are several distinct seating areas:

 

 

What is really different about the Bacchanal Buffet is the way almost all the food is prepared out in the open. There are nine distinct “show kitchens,” with chefs composing their specialties and interacting personally with the guests as they work. While at most buffets you may see the cooks going about their business, here they are trained and encouraged to engage with the guests on a personal level, and it is quite refreshing to see this in action.

 

 

The show kitchens encompass all the types of cuisine you see in almost every buffet: seafood, Italian, carving station, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, etc.

Many of the dishes are prepared to order, while the customer observes. Others are put out in small, individual portions, echoing an approach emphasized at the Cosmopolitan’s excellent Wicked Spoon Buffet.

The Bacchanal Buffet claims it offers 500 items. I certainly didn’t count them, but it would not surprise me.

Here are some photographic highlights with commentary:

The seafood bar is near the entrance. Lunch offerings include individual ceviche in cups, small, exquisite oysters, and chilled mussels.

 

 

Some items are served in individual wire baskets, including fish or chicken fingers with chips, small potato pancakes, and maple tater tots.

 

 

At the carving station, prime rib, Cornish hen, various types of sausage, turkey, and I’m told rack of lamb at dinner.

 

 

Chefs employing a wood-burning brick oven turn out some of the best and most creative pizzas I’ve had in this town.

 

 

Tacos made while you watch.

 

 

 

Sushi on the serving line and also made to order.

 

 

Wonderful Chinese dishes, including a selection of authentic dim sum.

 

 

Sumptuous desserts, including innovative gelatos with flavors such as mango chile, sour cherry, baklava, and more.

 

 

 

As these high-quality buffets go, The Bacchanal is reasonably priced. Breakfast Monday through Friday, 7 to 11 a.m., is $19.99. Saturday and Sunday Brunch, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is $31.99. Weekday lunch, from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m., is $24.99. Dinner, from 3 to 10 p.m., is $34.99 Sunday through Thursday and $39.99 Friday and Saturday.

If you present your Total Rewards Card, $3.00 is taken off the cost of the buffet. If you don’t have this card, just apply for one before you visit the buffet.

We also found that buffet service seems to have been taken to a new level at Bacchanal. Our server gave us the best service we have ever experienced at a buffet. He had 11 tables to wait on, but he was so good that we felt we were his only table.

To conclude this article, here are more photos of the delights at The Bacchanal Buffet:

 

Comments

[Stuart Schweit]

It looks wonderful .... I'm now very hungry.... Then of course when am I not hungry looking at good food..

[Ray in Solera]

But,David, you KNOW how I hate buffets!

(That aside, thanks much for the tour. Mayhaps we'll give it a go!)

[David Berman]

You SHOULD give it a try, Ray. As a well-known meat-and-potatoes man, you could do very well with the beef and other meat items.

You can leave the sushi, which our friend Tom used to refer to as bait, for me.

[carl weinstein]

As the Buffet Boys on channel 99, John and I will have to visit in late October to give this Buffet our stamp of approval. It better be damn good for the price we will pay!

[Marilyn Weil]

Thanks David, That really looks good. Can't wait to try it. Oh did you say this is going to be our new restaurant at the center???? (Just kidding of course.)

[Margaret]

My grandson is a lifeguard at Caesars Palace and the buffet was open for employees at no charge before it was open to the public. He said the food was really good (you know how 19 year old boys eat), but he can't afford to eat there on his own. His hope is that the food quality finds its way down to the employee cafeteria, which is free! He did suggest that his Grandpa and I treat him to a meal at the Bacchanal.