After placing my drink order (they have a full bar within the buffet), I immediately set out to see what the buffet had to offer. It did not take long to realize I was in a place better known as "Seafood Heaven."

The wonderful hostesses seated us immediately, in spite of the fact that the reservation had gotten lost. They apologized that the only table they had was next to a group of 24 that was due to arrive in about a half-hour. Anyone who’s ever sat next to a rowdy bridal party or corporate function where the alcohol flows knows that it can get loud. We were curious about the group that unfortunately arrived early.

We braced ourselves, fearing the noise that would make conversation difficult. It never happened! This group was one of the most genteel, respectful and quiet groups. Yes, they were drinking…a lovely red that had been decanted for them. But they never got rowdy. This turned out to be treat # 3.

The “Michelin Guide Las Vegas 2008” isn’t set to go on sale for a few more days, but clever URL manipulations lead some Internet users to an online listing of restaurant ratings. Although the post was initially taken down, the company has made the listing available again and has confirmed that they are official.

Between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, French Chef, Joel Robuchon earned the only three-star rating for his eponymous restaurant at the MGM Grand. Although Robuchon garnered the sole three-star rating, several restaurants in both cities received two and one-star ratings.

On Silverado Ranch and Maryland Parkway, you’ll come across a very unassuming sushi place called Sushi Mon. It’s really small, so if you blink, you’ll miss it.

It may seem like a quaint neighborhood joint, but it developed a reputation for quality sushi and quick service pretty early on. And I do mean quality, delicious, bountiful sushi.

They serve up more than 70 different kinds of rolls. Special, fried, baked or tempura rolls are all available. Take the Royal California roll for example. Just a standard California roll – crab, avocado, rice and whatever else they put in there. After building the roll, they take it to the deep fryer and then I take it to my belly.

The participating steakhouses around the valley will create exclusive, multi-course menus while DeLuca Liquor & Wine will pair wines to match each of the specially prepared dishes.

Steaks are mightily majestic food and you can bet that places like Ruth’s Chris Steak House will pull out all the stops for its menu items, which will include lamb loin, Kobe style beef, vegetable wrapped striped bass and much more.

I’ve become intimately familiar with a few of the buffets around town. I know there are the higher end places like the Bellagio, but let’s not kid ourselves, buffet food doesn’t exactly represent the hallmark of culinary achievement. I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying it’s not the same quality you’d be getting if you ordered a dedicated, plated version of the same food.

It’s like I told a friend this weekend, I am happier to take an unlimited amount of a lesser quality food than vice versa.

So it is with sushi as well.

This weekend, I had the pleasure, and it was a pleasure, of checking out Makino Gourmet Sushi & Seafood Buffet. It’s been around for awhile now, but I decided to check out the location on Eastern, near the 215 freeway.

About a week ago, I had the fortune of another dozen, but these were no Krispy Kreme donuts. Nope. These were the old school Dunkin’ Donuts variety.

Oh, that’s right, I said Dunkin’ Donuts.

All you East Coast and Midwest transplants know what I’m talking about, but if you’re one of the poor, unfortunate folk who doesn’t understand the glory of Dunkin’ Donuts do yourself a favor and give it a try.

The wine list will feature over 200 wines selected by sommelier Patrick Pretz, who previously designed Cirque and Sensi at Bellagio and SW Steak for Steve Wynn.

The comprehensive article lists several bars that support specific teams and drink and food specials they offer.

You’re a fan of the Cardinals? Check out Timbers Bar and Grill, 8540 S. Maryland Parkway. You can get five sliders with fries or a half-pound hot dog with fries for $5 and wash it all down with $2.50 Bud or Bud Light drafts.

Even though they wouldn’t all be of the highest caliber, they would still be fish and chips. We knew from the outset that Thursday would be our reckoning.

You see, that’s the day when McMullen’s Irish Pub serves up its fish and chips special. And it is delicious. They’re some of the best in the city and one of my personal favorite foods. Beer-battered North Atlantic cod with fries and coleslaw is a tough dish to beat.

I mean, it’s just eggs, bacon, cheese and salsa wrapped in a tortilla. If you’re lucky, you may even have some hash browns. No, my friends, no. Like a mighty statue built of several tiny Lego blocks, a breakfast burrito is more than the sum of its parts.

The space in Tamba features warm, rich colors reminiscent of India’s traditional spices. Murals, Indian-imported furniture and artwork give the restaurant an authentic feel, while plush seats, dramatic lighting and chic style in the hip lounge bring it back to contemporary times.

Giving an updated spin on tradition seems to be a philosophy applied to both design and food at Tamba.

The menu is stocked with classic Indian cuisine. But the chefs at Tamba have stretched beyond tradition and have used these recipes as inspiration to create new dishes, which help Tamba set the standard for elegant Indian cuisine.

Often regarded as highly as executive chefs, sommeliers are masters of wine and are responsible for the development of wine lists, training restaurant staff and working with the culinary team on food and wine pairings.

Each brunch Executive Chef Stephen Marshall will put together a extravagant menus featuring items such as ricotta cheese ravioli with apples and truffle butter; rosemary and garlic studded leg of lamb with a whole grain mustard sauce; carving stations, which will include Aged Black Angus beef of roasted pork.

It picks up where Starbucks left off – or maybe never really was in the first place. Community-oriented, ReJAVAnate is as concerned about the cultural experience as much as the product they serve. Work from local artists adorn the walls, space is free for people who want to perform there and, in addition to having two Internet-connected work stations, they provide a free wireless connection. Kind of puts paying for a hotspot in perspective.