We were seated almost immediately (which I would guess comes from our relatively early reservation time of 6:30 p.m.) and shown to a table near the back of the restaurant. That was just fine by me, because I got to walk through and appreciate Delmonico from an aesthetic point of view before I could judge the food. All the senses were in overload. They eyes took in a very smooth mix of modern with old-world bistro, with arched doorways to accompany the hard, straight lines of the tables and chairs, which stimulated the touch sensation with their soft leather. The aroma of the food made you wish you’d skipped breakfast to have more room for dinner, and the clanking of the china display dishes on the tables as they were being set let you know you were in a classy joint.

And the taste, well, just let me tell you about that. We each ordered the filet mignon with a side. My side was pan-seared potatoes, which were thinly sliced and pan-seared (obviously) in oils and covered in New Orleans-style spices, topped with caramelized onions. They were so good, that I almost ate so many of them so that I couldn’t finish my steak. (Note, I said almost.) The filet was cooked to a perfect medium well, and served with three sauces, a béarnaise, their version of A-1 which was a bit sweeter, and a Worcestershire sauce. I was fond of their version of A-1, and used up every last drop.

I wish I could review the desserts for you, but alas, another bite and I would’ve popped.

The waiters tag-teamed the whole dinner, making sure that our pictures were taken, that our water glasses were filled, and that our check arrived promptly (but without the "go on, get out now" urgency.)

I hardly winced at the $128 tab for two (one drink each and dinner), because I knew that the money was well spent, and my taste buds would be remembering that dinner for months to come! 10 out of 10, 5-star, excellent!

As you walk in, it’s classic steakhouse décor: dim lighting, and tall leather chairs at white-clothed tables. The menu is creole-inspired, so there is plenty of heat and seafood to choose from. Not to mention the wine list.

Service can be spotty. The first time I went there, the waiter never missed a beat. The second time, my waiter was nowhere to be found during the entire meal. BUT the food is always wonderful, and I can overlook bad service if the food keeps me busy.

This last time we went, we were brought over an amuse of shredded BBQ pork, which was very tasty. I started with the arugula salad with vanilla apple dressing and fried brie wontons. I wish they would bottle that dressing--it’s SO good.

The filet mignon is the best piece of meat I've ever had--it literally melted like butter. It comes with their signature potato chips, which are doused in parmesan cheese, garlic, truffle oil, and parsley. Highly addictive. And the side of roasted asparagus with shallots is a fabulous mix of flavor.

The Cowboy steak, which is a bone-in ribeye, is wonderfully marbled and tasty. Served with bourbon mashed sweet potatoes, this dish will make your mouth sing. In the past, I’ve had the BBQ salmon, which is served with parsnip smashed potatoes, which is excellent. They also make a Ceasar salad for two at your table--a wonderful ‘old school’ touch.

Delmonico is a wonderful place to indulge your cravings and the desire to spend some cash.

The first time I ever moaned aloud -- not just "mmm" but "ohhhh mmm!!" -- was at Emeril's at Universal Citywalk in Orlando. Since then I've tried Emeril's NOLA in New Orleans (delish!) and Emeril's Fishhouse in Las Vegas, but on a recent return trip to Vegas, we went to Emeril's Delmonico Steakhouse (the original is in New Orleans).

I am firmly a carnivore. Steak? Love it. Chicken, turkey, pork, fish . . . all things blissful in the right hands, and just grub in the wrong. Delmonico's does steaks and meats, and while they are done well, they are not well-done unless you prefer it that way. ;-)

Delmonico's Las Vegas is tucked in the back of the Venetian Hotel, away from the jar and clang of the casino, and entering is like walking into a soothing chapel, with vaulted off-white ceilings, earth-toned furniture, and its well-dressed waitstaff smoothly gliding between the tables.

French onion soup is always good at any Emeril's, so I started with that. We shared some New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp (tasty and just-right spicy-hot), while my companion had the Hickory Smoked Mushrooms. I moved on to a medium-rare Pepper Crusted Dry Aged Beef Sirloin, juicy and delectable in its red wine demi glace, and my companion had the NY Steak. (By the way, having had Emeril's Grilled Sweet Barbequed Atlantic Salmon, which is offered at Delmonico's, before, I can also recommend that). Accompanying it all was a pair of selections from the extensive wine list.

And although we were ready to burst, there's always room for dessert . . . a bit of Bourbon Praline Bread Pudding, mmm...

The service was lovely, discreet, and well-tended. I have (personally) yet to be disappointed by an Emeril's dining experience, and Delmonico's was no exception. If you're looking for excellent fine dining in Vegas, Delmonico's at the Venetian is where to go.

Hours: lunch daily 11:30am-2pm
Dinner: Sun-Thur 5:30-10:30pm
Fri and Sat 5:30-11pm

We decided to go to Delmonico's on the recommendation of my mother, who goes there every time she's in Vegas (every year), and my husband's company was picking up his share of the tab!

We made online reservations -- we initially asked for 7:00 reservations, but got 8:30 instead. Delmonico's is located in The Venetian, which is a sight in and of itself! We got to the restaurant early and sat in the bar area where they had a flat panel tv and we watched the baseball playoffs while waiting for our table.

The atmosphere is dark and romantic -- it very much seemed to be a place for older couples, wealthy tourists, or high rollers getting some dinner before beginning their evenings. The service was professional and prompt. We ordered the barbeque shrimp appetizer and perhaps it had been hyped up too much in advance by my family or if the chef had an off night, but we weren't terribly impressed with it. It was good, but where was the "BAM!"? The sauce was mild and somewhat sweet. It wasn't anything to write home about.

I ordered a salad for my entree, the "Delmonico Baby Greens and Tomatoes with Red Onions, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cheddar Cheese and Sourdough Croutons" salad. This was very good. It wasn't anything to get excited about, but I wasn't really expecting it to be. My husband had the "Charbroiled Dry Aged Beef Sirloin with Bacon Cheddar Twice Baked Potato, Creole Tomato Glaze and Horseradish Cream" that we split. This was really good -- the sauce was sweet & spicy and the potato was wonderful. The sirloin was a little bit on the rare side. He asked for medium well and it was more like medium rare.

We liked Delmonico's, but for the price, I don't know that we would go back.