Peter Harris wrote on April 17, 2008 05:02 PM: I have dined at Tao and numerous other "top end" Strip establishments. As a local, and one who has dined in better restaurants around the world; the quality of service in Las Vegas lacks quite a bit. The wait staff seems overall to be somewhat inexperienced and new to the particular venue. This is the case with the service industry in Las Vegas in general. One would expect better, but maybe the typical "Vegas" tourist expects less. The idea of dining in a "concept" restaurant with a famous absent chef typically drops the quality as well. Anyone can hang a shingle outside the door, but how many stars does it rate? Now, if you want top quality food skip Vegas and go to: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Paris, Rome and other cities that have a long, long established reputation for quality dining.
An analogy for Las Vegas Strip restaurants: Cruise ship dining in the desert.

By the way please define "normal people".

Typically, when I dine out in better restaurants, counting pennies is not at the top of my list. The local crowd I usually dine out and myself can afford the prices. If you can't try Mc Donald's.

koncklin wrote on April 16, 2008 03:45 PM: I feel ripped off, and I have never eaten at Tao.

Jackie wrote on April 15, 2008 05:59 PM: Hey folks this is a freakin chinese resturant for goodness sake! Check out the web site and read the wine prices! Holy gouge you Batman! Go to P F Chang's if you want to have "exotic" prepared chinese without the hype! Gee they are really right when they say some poeple have more money than brains!

Reality Check wrote on April 15, 2008 05:47 PM: No doubt Tao is number one...hey have you "normal people" dined there? A recent outing for a couple cost $300. And this is for "bistro" Dining to boot. The fleecing of the great tourist continues, amazing!