There was once a time when all-you-could-eat buffets ruled the Las Vegas dining scene, but how things have changed. While you can still find quality buffets in Sin City that are generally friendly on the wallet and big on selection, the growing number of fine dining establishments continue to revolutionize Las Vegas dining. Worthy of comparison to such rich culinary American cities as San Francisco and New York, Las Vegas has more celebrity chefs than ever, all of whom are raising the culinary bar. Many a star chef Las Vegas has, and when you dine at the Celebrity Restaurants Las Vegas offers, you will be rewarded with a memorable experience that will be a big part of your Las Vegas vacation.

Among the celebrity chefs whose names you might first recognize are Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse. Wolfgang Puck was well trained in France and Monaco before finding his ultimate success in Los Angeles. Having made plenty of guest television appearances in the recent past, you more than likely recognize his face. Wolfgang Puck leads the Las Vegas chef list in terms of restaurants with his name on them. At Caesars Palace, you can find his Spago and Chinois restaurants, his Postrio at the Venetian is worthy of a visit, and his Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay rounds out the list. As for Emeril Lagasse, you surely will be familiar with his signature "Bam!" and for uttering "Oh, Yeah Babe" when he's on to something good on his television cooking show. Lagasse hails from New Orleans, and he brings his savory Cajun and Creole flavors to the table everywhere he goes. His Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian is one of the finest steak houses in Las Vegas, and for truly tantalizing seafood, you can't go wrong at Emeril's New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand. As for your Las Vegas vacation, eating at one of Emeril's celebrity restaurants Las Vegas hangouts is sure to, "Kick it up a notch".

Another Las Vegas chef you may have seen on television is chef Todd English, who has more than the necessary experience to back up the respect he has earned. Charismatic and highly recognized by those in the know when it comes to good food, English was recently honored with inclusion among the Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America by the elite James Beard Foundation. English's Olives at the Bellagio Hotel is consistently ranked among the best restaurants in Las Vegas, and it is just one of the Olives in a list that includes locations in New York City, Boston and Aspen. Along the lines of Todd English, chef Tom Colicchio is another television personality who earned his fame in the kitchen. Colicchio has won 5 James Beard Foundation Medals, and you may know him from his gig as the head judge on Top Chef, which is a wildly popular cooking show on the Bravo network. His Craftsteak restaurant at the MGM Grand is another of the top steak houses in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Strip Map

Perhaps ruling the list of star chef Las Vegas candidates is the often heralded "Chef of the Century", Joël Robuchon. Robuchon started to hone his culinary craft at a hotel restaurant in Poitiers, France when he was just 15 years old. He would continue studying cooking throughout the French countryside, learning different techniques and regional tendencies. At just 28 years of age, chef Robuchon was named head chef of the Harmony-Lafayette hotel. Within two years of leading a 90-cook team, Robuchon was awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France merit, which translates to the Better Workman of France. After opening his mega-sensation Jamin restaurant in Paris, Robuchon received the 3 stars Michelin award, which is the top honor in the industry. His resume of distinction continues, and suffice it to say that his is among the top celebrity restaurants Las Vegas has to offer. For an unforgettable meal, it's worth putting a dent in your budget at the Joël Robuchon at the Mansion MGM Grand restaurant. This is the first restaurant that Robuchon opened in the United States, and it is sure to impress. A suitable counterpart to chef Robuchon can be found in Guy Savoy, whose namesake restaurant is another place to have that once-in-a-lifetime-meal. You can find information about his career in the attached Guy Savoy restaurant article.

The list of celebrity chefs in Las Vegas who have more than made a name for themselves goes on, and it is only sure to grow in the future. Chef Jean-Marie Josselin's Caesars Palace 808 restaurant is a seafood lovers dream, and for an upscale bistro experience with creations from one of America's finest chefs, Thomas Keller, try the Bouchon at the Venetian. Italian chef, Gian Paulo "Zeffirino" Belloni showcases his talent at the Zeffirino Ristorante at the Venetian, which while not listed in the Italian restaurants in Las Vegas article is nonetheless just as worthy of the ones that are. Another Las Vegas chef serving up fantastic cuisine is André Rochat, whose Alizé restaurant at the Palms is a year-in, year-out top rated Las Vegas restaurant. He also is also the lead chef behind the scenes at Andrés downtown restaurant, and Andrés at the Monte Carlo. For a special night out with that special someone, you might treat yourself to the wonderful culinary creations from chef Julian Serrano at the Picasso at Bellagio. Actual Picasso paintings adorn the walls here, and the food is simply amazing. Celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Nobu Matsuhisa have eponymous Las Vegas restaurants, the former at the Bellagio and the latter at the Hard Rock Hotel. And the list goes on. Suffice it to say that when you explore the dining options at Las Vegas, it's bound to be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have there. Bon Appetite!