Buffet 5 out of 10

One good thing the M has going for it is if you sign up for a player’s card, they give you a free buffet coupon or $10 in slot play.

Leaving the bar with no appetizers, we decided we were hungry and went and signed up for the card and got our coupons. The buffet line didn’t look very long but we ended up waiting 45 minutes to get in.

First off, let me say I’ve been to a few buffets around Las Vegas and am not a huge buffet fan, other than the Rio buffet. I am usually disappointed with the mediocre food and high price tag to get in.

But back to the M Casino Buffet, once we got inside I didn’t really like the setup of the place. It’s basically one big room with all the tables scattered about with the food in the middle of the room – making 1 big line. I felt like I was eating inside a cafeteria.

It was a smaller buffet but the food selection was good; they offered a lot of variety and most the things I ate were pretty good. Most important, the food was fairly fresh. I hate when I go to buffets and the food’s been sitting out for an hour and is slimy and gross.

They offered a little bit of everything from American BBQ to Thai and sushi. There is complementary beer and wine, which is a big plus for all the drinkers out there. They even have their own M lager, which I personally thought was terrible. The wine was only white zinfandel and cabernet, but both were actually decent tasting wines and didn’t taste cheap.

Overall this was one of the better buffets I’ve been to out here in Vegas. The free beer and wine defiantly helped but I probably wouldn’t go back unless it was free again. Maybe for lunch since its only $15. But if you’re a buffet person, it’s no Rio – but  way better than a Station Casino or the Hilton and I would recommend the M Casino Buffet with the qualifications I just mentioned.

Related: Be wary of M Casino Happy Hour deals, M Casino 32 Degrees Beer Bar Happy Hour, New M Casino Modern Chic Oasis, Martha Stewart Radio Show from the M

Rex Reviews

Terzetto 2 out of 10 (would be higher if wasn’t a scam)

Since the beer bar was a failure, (see link below to my post on M Beer Bar Happy Hour), my friends and I decided to see what the rest of the casino had to offer.

A TV screen inside the casino said the Terzetto restaurant had half price martinis, 2 for 1 Mojitos and half price appetizers so we decided to get some drinks and a few appetizers there to lift our spirits. The hostess told us to sit wherever we liked. A waiter promptly came and introduced himself and asked us if we would like to start with any drinks. I ordered a martini and he asked me what type of vodka I would like. He listed a few vodkas, Ketel One and Grey Goose being the two I remember. I asked what the price difference was and he said the Grey Goose was $8.50 right now – a good deal since a normal Goose martini is $12. I was immediately confused because wouldn’t half price be $6?

So decided to get 2 Mojitos and split one with my friend. We ordered a strawberry banana Mojito and my girlfriend ordered a chocolate martini. Our drinks came promptly and were delicious. I highly recommend the 2 for 1 Mojito deal since it was only 6.50 for the 2. The chocolate martini was very good as well and was $8.50.

We decided to order some half price appetizers and the waiter informed us that 1st off, we needed to be sitting in the restaurant, which was ridiculous because we were sitting at a table inside the restaurant.  I guess we needed to be further from the bar or something. Then he says that the Happy Hour is not actually half price appetizers, but when you order an entree (sitting in the “restaurant”), and order an appetizer you get a second one free… I thought this was very lame. I thought very highly of the M the other time I came, but am now very disillusioned.

Be wary of any “deals” or Happy Hours the M casino offers because there always seems to be a catch. I hardly see how 1/2 price appetizers is actually “order a bunch of stuff and get 1 free” – and half price martinis at $8.50 is scandalous. Yes, the chocolate martini was well made and delicious, but I would never ever consider paying the full price of 17 dollars – or was it $12 like the waiter said? – and they really just give you like a 25% discount instead of half off.

Bottom line: Be wary of the M Casinos “deals” and “happy hours” because everything seemed to have a catch or be some kind of scam.

M Casino 32 Degrees Beer Bar Happy Hour

A sample of the M’s sous chef’s braised pork ribs, nibbles of cupcakes from Retro Bakery and tastes of “Vegas” wines were highlighted by a visit from a cutting edge floral designer and a real Vegas-style showgirl.

The radio host Mario Bosquez was upbeat, entertaining and everything you would expect from a representative of a class act like Martha Stewart. Studio B is a brilliant little spot with great seating and a fully-equipped kitchen primed and ready for TV/video viewing.

One of the audience expressed surprise that there was something to “see” on a radio show.  In fact, a radio broadcast in the genre of Martha Stewart’s Living Today is little different from a TV show.  The crew video tapes the guests (audience and interviewees) as well as snaps photos for the blog; it’s a multi-media event.

Your job in the audience is to applaud and be sufficiently boisterous to communicate enthusiasm across radio waves, ask questions, sample good food, be educated and entertained.  Not bad work if you can find it.

Living Today

Weekdays 1 pm – 5 pm ET

Hosted by Mario Bosquez.

http://www.sirius.com/marthastewartlivingradio

Jubilee

Bally’s

The Showgirl, all 6 feet of her, swept her way to the microphone amidst wows and applause.  With a great personality and obvious love of her job, she carried her plumed headdress with confidence and aplomb.  The Jubilee cast of 85 with 9 costume changes each every night and a stage half the size of a football field gives you some idea of the production sophistication of this most Vegas of all Vegas shows.  Jubilee is a must see if you want to experience the real Las Vegas.  p.s. If you have aspirations of joining the show, grow to 6′ (male) or 5′8″ (female) and be prepared for 2 shows a night, rehearsals and carrying anywhere from 10lbs to 40lbs on your head – while wearing 3″ heels – if female.

http://www.lasvegastourism.com/jubilee.htm

Destinations by Design

Allison Hart

According to Allison, designer from DBD, the trend to green is also driving the floral arrangement market.  Allison brought a wheatgrass table arrangement with driftwood “vases,” orchids and moss balls – all requiring very little water and made from recyclable materials.  Earthernware-appearing vases were actually made from newspaper, with metallic cores for holding the flowers.

Check out their website for diverse and innovative travel and meeting planning services of Destinations by Design.

http://www.dbdvegas.com/

Retro Bakery

Kari Haskell

A tight bundle of energy, Kari is so imbued with enthusiasm that she could hardly be contained in the space of Studio B.  Inspired by Dairy Queen from her childhood days in Oregon, she has developed her signature butter cream swirl in so many flavors and variations that it would take days to try them all.  Her husband is the cake master and together they are re-inventing the American standard in home-style gone commercial baking.

http://www.retrobakerylv.com/

http://twitter.com/retrobakery

M Resort

Hostile Grape

Mark Thomas, Director of Beverages

Mark poured two wines from the selection of 160 found at the M’s Hostile Grape.  The two reds were from California, one a husky Syrah and the other akin to Chianti – both reasonably priced in the $10/bottle range.  A third white was from Pahrump NV, but not enough for the audience to sample.  The label Pahrump Valley Winery is a bit misleading.  If you visit, you discover that they mostly blend with grapes from California.  They have produced and released a locally grown Zinfandel – quite a feat for the Mojave Desert . p.s the restaurant there was good, worth the drive. http://www.pahrumpwinery.com/

You can read more about the M Resort at:

New M Casino Modern Chic Oasis

Les’ Wines and Vines is a weekly radio show with a live audience that moves from restaurant to restaurant around the city.

To find out more:

Les’ Wines and Vines Radio Show

First thoughts are why such a trendy palace so far from the Strip?  But on second thought, the M lies at the gateway to Las Vegas when traveling on the 15 from California, just off the interstate at the intersection of St Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Blvd South.  It’s also a short drive from Henderson and Anthem – an area recently one of the city’s fastest growing, and sure to be again when the recession ebbs and home sales and building re-commence.

The Marnell family, successful in the actual construction of casinos for others, has learned well from its experience.  The architecture is monumental, the style forward, luxurious but youthful and hip.  It should please anyone, although was definitely intended to attract a more urbane, under 50 crowd.

Citing lack of funds, Anthony Marnell III explained to the Las Vegas Sun that although he knew building a more environmentally smart structure was what he should have done, he declined the Lied formula based on costs.  Who am I to argue with a wildly successful businessman, but one can’t help but wonder if that decision was short-sighted.  It seems to be one that many builders take here in the Valley,  ignoring the harsh reality of looming energy and water crises.

Highlights of the M include a movie set pool area with a surrounding marble campus reminiscent of grand Egyptian temples – plenty of space here for any reception or grand ball. 

They did a reasonable job on the sweeping canopy of the hotel entrance, but the M lacks a grand entrance which says "Here I am and here is exactly how you get to me." Anyone with a sprinkling of feng shui expertise would have spotted that right away. It’s not that hard to take the wrong turn and end up in the outdoor parking area. 

They also need to do something about the valet pick-up. Totally exposed to the elements (wind and sun), someone forgot that many clients use the valet services to avoid the elements.

The lobby has splendid wow power with walls of elegant fresh lilies complemented by soothing cascading water elements.  It’s a pleasure to access restaurants and guest elevators without the obligatory pass through the casino area that haunts most Strip venues.

Baby Cakes
The Baby Cakes pastry and gelato shop serves exquisite sweets for great prices.  A large scoop of gelato in a delicious cone is $2.25 and worth every penny. You can get two scoops for $3!  The pistachio gelato was divine.  The gelato selection is limited, but certainly adequate for anyone, and I would place their flavor and quality on par with the Bellagio.  Don’t miss the croissants!

Hostile Grape
The Hostile Grape wine cellar on the lowest level is worth the drive alone.  With an amazing array of both good sipping wine and higher end vintages, you can either select your own from the myriad of dispensers or be served at the small bar.  Furnished with intimate clusters of low Italian leather sofa sets or high bar stools grouped around tall modernistic cubes, the low lighting and soft music make it the perfect spot to gather, partake and socialize in intimacy.  You take a glass and and using pre-paid tasting cards, select your own wine, 1,3 or 5 oz, from a selection of 160 – and enjoy.  Access to the Grape is by stairs leading down from the lobby or a glass elevator.

32º Draft Beer Bar
I revised my opinion of the 32º Draft beer bar in another post, and was grossly unfair when I panned it for it’s proximity to the slot machines and sports betting.  When you are savoring those incredibly priced ($3.50 domestic, $4.50 imported) and ice cold beers, you forget all else.

Veloce Cibo
We ate at the Tower Restaurant, Veloce Cibo, which did not disappoint in terms of spectacular view of the valley.  The menu was diverse which surely pleases in the way the variety of a buffet will satisfy the palettes of groups with varying tastes.  Much of it is designed to share, adding to the buffet-like advantage – while still being served at table.

Unfortunately, several of the dishes fell short – most notably the sushi which is their flagship. If you can’t make a California roll, you are in trouble.  I cannot recommend it at all. The tuna sashimi, au contraire, was fresh and delicious.  The fried calamari were not light enough, the batter being a little "floury" and lacking delicacy.  The chicken wraps were tasty and well spiced, with excellent lettuce (not iceberg), but not served with the crispy raw veggies that give them crunch and freshness.  The Asian marinated steak was superb and, by far, the best dish of the evening. 

Although the staff tried very hard, there was something generally chaotic about the service and I kept thinking that much more training was needed.  The prices are not for budget-minded.  I am hard pressed to give Veloce Cibo a high recommendation for fine dining.

The M Guest Rooms
The Guest rooms do not disappoint and the selection of suites, especially the 2 story 2400 sqft loft suites with wrap around views of the Valley, are sufficiently extravagant to impress most visitors. Keeping with trends, all rooms offer IPod docking and room safes large enough to accommodate laptops.

Dress
Geared to a younger set, the dress code is casual chic.  Designer jeans and tight T shirts, accented by some Vegas Bling and you are in mode.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

• Visit for architectural experience – don’t miss the pool.
• Don’t miss Hostile Grape if you are wine lover.
• Savor a gelato.

Find out more at their excellent website: www.themresort.com/

or read about the M and the Marnell family in the Las Vegas Sun: www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/01/m-resort-chief-vegas-gaming-industry-survival-mode/

Related: the M beer bar best in Vegas, Martha Stewart Radio Show from the M