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First of all, LUNCH. Surprisingly there aren't that many places to have lunchon the Strip: Joe's is one of the best choices, particularly if you are unsure of your companion's dining preferences or looking to find something moderately priced and moderately fast (there are small salads, sandwiches and burgers on the bar menu).
A spin-off of the Miami legend, Joe's offers three distinct dining enviromants -- a bustling patio in the elegant Forum rotunda, a very large casual bar, and a huge 40s-50s era dining room that is classic (I also discovered they have two round function rooms overlooking the strip and an elegantly old school "Boardroom" for private dining/meeting).
Coat and tie not required, but common, esp. in dining room -- and large parties seem to be common. It isn't surprising to run into both Casino heavy hitters (even those from competing properties, who could eat elsewhere for free) as well as visiting celebs. Tuxedoed waiters provide detailed service... though when things get very busy, they may run by you a bit too quickly.
The menu is full of surprises -- beyond the expected stone crab claws, shrimp, oysters rockafeller, shrimp dejonghe (basically breaded scampi, but made with impressively tender prawns), crab cakes and fish dishes, there is an excellent chopped vegetable chopped salad, good garlic creamed spinach and roasted corn.
The bone-in filet is amoung the very best I've had in Vegas. And I have to tell you that I have sampled virtually all of the best steakhouses here.
Our Dover sole was lightly breaded and gorgously sauteed to a golden brown hue; the waiter deftly deboned it at the table and served it with a slightly caramelized lemon butter (it didn't need it).
The fried chicken was another unexpected surprise, a heftly four pieces, lightly battered and deep fried, the crispy cumb batter giving way to moist flavorful meat within. Savory but light.
In season, the Alaskan king crab legs here are far and away the best I've had: sweet, juicy, light with none of the mealy taste you get from lesser crab.
Their pies are offered in half portions - great option should you want to sample more than one. I have had uneven experiences with the signature key lime pie -- one time it was perfect, another time, it was rock-solid frozen and the waiter neither apologized not replaced it when I complained.
Generally speaking, prices are on the high side but the quality reflects that. Order with care.
www.yelp.com 01.10
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