We just ate at the Bally's "Big Kitchen Buffet" which doesn't get talked
about too much. Dinner ran about $20, but they give a discount for showing a
Connection Card. It actually is one of the better buffets on the strip.
Although it seems small, they actually had an amazing variety of food. I'll try
to list what I can remember:
Fresh fruit (including whole apples and bananas and oranges and cut up
assorted melons), 2 kinds of soup, rolls, Chinese area (several different choices
including egg rolls), sushi rolls (of the California roll or tuna roll
variety), turkey (both white and dark), prime rib, pork (slices of something), duck
(chinese style), 2 kinds of cooked fish, fried chicken, rotissere chicken,
some sort of baked chicken, lamb chops (shoulder) with mint jelly bowl
(sometimes hard to find), assorted salad mixings including separate spinach),
several types of pasta in a pasta section, both mashed potatoes and mashed sweet
potatoes, green beans, other veggies, cold shrimp, hot crab legs (!!), some type
of veal (I'm not remembering -Italian style?), and more. Plus assorted
good deserts including a nice ice cream station with toppings, puddings, bananas
foster, and even jello (not always found).
As you can see from above, they covered just about every type of meat, which
is unusual. The only thing I don't remember finding was Mexican.
Service was good and friendly.
STERLING BRUNCH - for the gourmet Sunday brunch - this is the top one in
town, also probably the most expensive, having raised its price to $62 plus tax.
(I had a comp so didn't ask if they give a Connection card discount). Best
time to go is before 11 am, when it starts to get really crowded. You'll
want to get a reservation for this. If you want a noonish time - be sure to
call at least 3 or more days in advance.
Food selection is of gourmet quality and includes salads (my only complaint
is no ranch dressing - thought hey made it for me on asking), cold shrimp,
smoked salmon, oysters, sushi (the real stuff including tuna, salmon, yellowtail
etc. plus assorted roles). They also provide all the champagne you can
drink. If you look in the case with the sushi you'll also find unlimited, cold
saki. The best thing is excellent caviar, including caviar fixings (its
good-quality American black). I like it so much I put in on the sushi and the
lobster. Speaking of lobster - unlimited lobster (they are smallish and have
been cut in half - but good). Also an omlette bar featuring liquor if you
want. Excellent lamb chops, prime rib, turkey (also usually salmon). Belgian
type waffles with assorted toppings you can pick from. Various hot dishes
which include some sort of baked oysters, filet mignon prepared with sauce of
some sort, scallops, fish, veggies, etc.
Deserts include a chef preparing something like bananas foster or cherries
jubilee (items vary from week to week), some sort of crepes, various types of
cakes, assorted pastries including my favorite (chocolate croissont), etc.
Quality and service are excellent. If you ask the waiters, they can even
prepare a caviar selection for you with the toppings and bilinis, etc.
The only thing is -- this is so expensive. If you love lobster though, you
can take 2 or 3 whole ones (as I saw one guy do with a loaded plate). The
caviar is really the good stuff, and that makes it for me.
If you want a splurge Sunday brunch - this is the one to get.
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Note for Bally's or Paris - stop at the club booth and ask for a LIne Pass
for any buffets (or ask a host).
With enough play, hosts will comp meals, including the Brunch. They have a
Limited Food/Beverage level which gives you buffets (not the Sterling) at
Paris and Ballys plus coffee shops plus $75 bar a day (non-gourmet bars). With
Full Food and Beverage you get almost all the gourmet restaurants including
the Sterling Brunch ((but check because it doesn't cover a couple of the French
restaurants in Paris such as Eiffel Tower and Mon Gambi (whatever it is
called) - though it does cover "Ah Sin")).
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