In praise of buffets?

NOT!?

Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.

The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
trip!?

Ever been?

I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine about
six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some prior food
encrusted on it.

To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I looked
back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate back
to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never returned.

No objections from the ignorant staff.

Transient guests, beware!

From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
bitten, twice shy.

Andy
--
"I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

On Jun 13, 4:29*pm, Andy > wrote:
>
> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
> bitten, twice shy.

You didn't know what Rock'n Roll was
until you met a drummer on a Greyhound bus
I got there in the nick of time
before he got his hands across your state line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeLAS3axKI
>
> Andy

--Bryan

Bryan said...

> On Jun 13, 4:29*pm, Andy > wrote:
>>
>> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
>> bitten, twice shy.
>
> You didn't know what Rock'n Roll was
> until you met a drummer on a Greyhound bus
> I got there in the nick of time
> before he got his hands across your state line
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNeLAS3axKI
>>
>> Andy
>
> --Bryan


Thanks!

Great!

Andy
--
"I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

On Jun 13, 6:29*pm, Andy > wrote:
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?
>
> I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine about
> six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some prior food
> encrusted on it.
>
> To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
> thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I looked
> back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate back
> to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never returned.
>
> No objections from the ignorant staff.
>
> Transient guests, beware!
>
> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
> bitten, twice shy.
>
> Andy
> --
> "I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
> --Andy

My beef with buffets is that the best dishes are at the end. So now I
cruise thru the whole offering once, taking a dab of this and that -
so that if there's Lobster Therm at the end, I'm not laden with meat-a-
balls. On my return, I know where to beeline it.

One of the best buffets I've ever been to offered about 100 high
quality items (and a high quality price too). I'd love to see the
action in that kitchen putting out that variety. Just the planning
and purchasing has to take some type of culinary genius and a month of
work. My SO never got past the appetizer table (think seafood here). I
finished myself off with an inch thick ultra rich choc chip cookie -
which rendered me out of breath, speechless, naked and flat on the bed
for the rest of the day. Worth every penny tho.(the buffet, I mean.)

Kalmia said...

> On Jun 13, 6:29*pm, Andy > wrote:
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
>> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>>
>> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
>> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
>> trip!?
>>
>> Ever been?
>>
>> I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine
abou
> t
>> six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some prior
fo
> od
>> encrusted on it.
>>
>> To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
>> thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I
look
> ed
>> back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate
back
>> to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never returned.
>>
>> No objections from the ignorant staff.
>>
>> Transient guests, beware!
>>
>> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
>> bitten, twice shy.
>>
>> Andy
>> --
>> "I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
>> --Andy
>
> My beef with buffets is that the best dishes are at the end. So now I
> cruise thru the whole offering once, taking a dab of this and that -
> so that if there's Lobster Therm at the end, I'm not laden with meat-a-
> balls. On my return, I know where to beeline it.
>
> One of the best buffets I've ever been to offered about 100 high
> quality items (and a high quality price too). I'd love to see the
> action in that kitchen putting out that variety. Just the planning
> and purchasing has to take some type of culinary genius and a month of
> work. My SO never got past the appetizer table (think seafood here). I
> finished myself off with an inch thick ultra rich choc chip cookie -
> which rendered me out of breath, speechless, naked and flat on the bed
> for the rest of the day. Worth every penny tho.(the buffet, I mean.)


I've never attended a grand buffet like that!

I'd need a copy of the 100-accordian fold page book "How to Beat the Rio
Buffet for Dummies" next to the pillow mint, upon arrival.

Andy

Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
that are cheap commercial-grade. If there's chicken or pork,
the animal was grown in a confinement container. If there's
fish, it was farmed. The vegetables are inorganic.

There may be a few expensive hotels whose buffets rise above
this in terms of ingredients. But it's hard to get excited
about buffet quality.

Steve

On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:07:09 +0000 (UTC),
(Steve Pope) wrote:

>Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
>that are cheap commercial-grade.

That comment indicates you have NEVER been to the Bellagio, Wynn,
Venetian, THEhotel, Ritz or Caesars in Las Vegas.

Mr. Bill > wrote:

>On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:07:09 +0000 (UTC),

>>Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
>>that are cheap commercial-grade.

>That comment indicates you have NEVER been to the Bellagio, Wynn,
>Venetian, THEhotel, Ritz or Caesars in Las Vegas.

You're right, I haven't. I have not set foot in Vegas in
decades.

I have been to the San Francisco Ritz-Carlton's buffet. It was
mixed. Some of the seafood was good quality, some of it was
commercial quality.

Steve

"Mr. Bill" > wrote in message
news
> On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:07:09 +0000 (UTC),
> (Steve Pope) wrote:
>
>>Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
>>that are cheap commercial-grade.
>
> That comment indicates you have NEVER been to the Bellagio, Wynn,
> Venetian, THEhotel, Ritz or Caesars in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is a nightmare. A flashy pile of shit built in the desert.

"Steve Pope" > wrote in message
...
> Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
> that are cheap commercial-grade. If there's chicken or pork,
> the animal was grown in a confinement container. If there's
> fish, it was farmed. The vegetables are inorganic.

True of about 95% of all eateries.

Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>"Steve Pope" > wrote in message

>> Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
>> that are cheap commercial-grade. If there's chicken or pork,
>> the animal was grown in a confinement container. If there's
>> fish, it was farmed. The vegetables are inorganic.

>True of about 95% of all eateries.

Fortunately there's that 5% ....


Steve

On Jun 14, 5:07*pm, (Steve Pope) wrote:
> Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
> that are cheap commercial-grade. *If there's chicken or pork,
> the animal was grown in a confinement container. *If there's
> fish, it was farmed. *The vegetables are inorganic.

I think you'll find that the vast majority of home kitchens use
factory-farmed food. Mine does. Of course, I don't charge 20 bucks a
head, which doesn't actually seem all that expensive.

Cindy Hamilton

On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:04:26 -0700 (PDT), Cindy Hamilton
> wrote:

>I think you'll find that the vast majority of home kitchens use
>factory-farmed food. Mine does.

Touché.

On Sun 14 Jun 2009 02:07:09p, Steve Pope told us...

> Without many exceptions of which I am aware, buffets use ingredients
> that are cheap commercial-grade. If there's chicken or pork,
> the animal was grown in a confinement container. If there's
> fish, it was farmed. The vegetables are inorganic.
>
> There may be a few expensive hotels whose buffets rise above
> this in terms of ingredients. But it's hard to get excited
> about buffet quality.
>
> Steve
>

I have been to a few upscale hotels with great buffets with very good food
and beautiful presentation. Back in the day when there were Stouffer
restaurants in some areas of the country, some of them had excellent buffets.
One, in particular, Pier W in Cleveland had a superb seafood buffet at Sunday
brunch. In recent years I haven't seen a buffet that was worth walking into.

--
Wayne Boatwright
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laughter is brightest where food is best. ~Irish Proverb

On Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:02:53 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>Back in the day when there were Stouffer
>restaurants in some areas of the country, some of them had excellent buffets.

I had no idea that Stouffer (as in the frozen food?) came from a
restaurant chain.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

"Andy" > wrote in message ...
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
Never been to Las Vegas and don't care to go. If you want to make the trip
based on a television show, go for it.

I have a problem with the whole idea of a buffet unless it's served
elegantly in someone's home.

For the most part the food on buffets appears to be really unhealthy stuff.
I remember (fondly) Christy's description of Golden Corral. Gawd, she hated
that place. Deep fried cheap crap was how she described it in one email to
me. And I'm sorry, but those "sneeze guards" they have tented over the
warming trays/steam tables don't seem to offer any assurance that someone
didn't stick their dirty hands in there to grab whatever rather than using
the utensils provided, much less sneeze or cough all over the food. Nope, I
don't like restaurant buffets at all.

OB Breakfast: Sunday morning 6/14 will be quiche lorraine, skim milk,
grapefruit juice and coffee
Dinner last night was stewed lamb shanks served with rice and acorn squash

Jill

jmcquown said...

> Never been to Las Vegas and don't care to go. If you want to make the
> trip based on a television show, go for it.


We used to road trip and fly to Vegas all the time from L.A., only in those
days food was an afterthought to casino action.

These days it's entirely the other way 'round.

Andy
--
"I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

jmcquown wrote:

> "Andy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
> Never been to Las Vegas and don't care to go. If you want to make
> the trip based on a television show, go for it.


Why do you always have to be such a bitch to someone's general remarks about
something or other...

OH, I forgot you're a narcissist, that's why...!!!


> I have a problem with the whole idea of a buffet unless it's served
> elegantly in someone's home.


I doubt you get many invites to *anyone's* home...unless they are deceased,
of course.


> For the most part the food on buffets appears to be really unhealthy
> stuff. I remember (fondly) Christy's description of Golden Corral.
> Gawd, she hated that place. Deep fried cheap crap was how she
> described it in one email to me.

Oh, look, Jill is once *again* bragging on her relationship with Christy...

<yawn>


--
Best
Greg

On Jun 14, 2:39*pm, "Gregory Morrow" > wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
> > "Andy" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> In praise of buffets?
>
> >> NOT!?
>
> > Never been to Las Vegas and don't care to go. *If you want to make
> > the trip based on a television show, go for it.
>
> Why do you always have to be such a bitch to someone's general remarks about
> something or other...
>
> OH, I forgot you're a narcissist, that's why...!!!
>
> > I have a problem with the whole idea of a buffet unless it's served
> > elegantly in someone's home.
>
> I doubt you get many invites to *anyone's* home...unless they are deceased,
> of course.
>
> > For the most part the food on buffets appears to be really unhealthy
> > stuff. I remember (fondly) Christy's description of Golden Corral.
> > Gawd, she hated that place. *Deep fried cheap crap was how she
> > described it in one email to me.
>
> Oh, look, Jill is once *again* bragging on her relationship with Christy....
>
> <yawn>
>
> --
> Best
> Greg

>
>
DING-DING-DING! Give that man a cee-gar, my sentiments exactly. Like
we are all waiting with baited breath for Jill the Pill's opinion on
anything. If she ain't bitching and ****ing on someone's parade, she
ain't happy.

On Jun 14, 6:01*pm, wrote:
> On Jun 14, 2:39*pm, "Gregory Morrow" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > jmcquown wrote:
> > > "Andy" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >> In praise of buffets?
>
> > >> NOT!?
>
> > > Never been to Las Vegas and don't care to go. *If you want to make
> > > the trip based on a television show, go for it.
>
> > Why do you always have to be such a bitch to someone's general remarks about
> > something or other...
>
> > OH, I forgot you're a narcissist, that's why...!!!
>
> > > I have a problem with the whole idea of a buffet unless it's served
> > > elegantly in someone's home.
>
> > I doubt you get many invites to *anyone's* home...unless they are deceased,
> > of course.
>
> > > For the most part the food on buffets appears to be really unhealthy
> > > stuff. I remember (fondly) Christy's description of Golden Corral.
> > > Gawd, she hated that place. *Deep fried cheap crap was how she
> > > described it in one email to me.
>
> > Oh, look, Jill is once *again* bragging on her relationship with Christy...
>
> > <yawn>
>
> > --
> > Best
> > Greg
>
> DING-DING-DING! *Give that man a cee-gar, my sentiments exactly. *Like
> we are all waiting with baited breath for Jill the Pill's opinion on
> anything. *If she ain't bitching and ****ing on someone's parade, she
> ain't happy.

True that! What a bitch. She and Cyber**** should get together.
Cyber**** could make some of her fabulous Chicken McNugget Soup and
Jill could sit and run her yapper about John.

"Andy" > wrote in message ...
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?
>

Yup. It is absolutely AWESOME! (Nothing like the crap in Atlantic City).

The 300 items includes a breakfast section (complete with waffle & omelet
stations, dishes like whole smoked salmon & several such specialty foods)
served in the morning. For lunch & dinner fare, steaks cooked to order, a
Mexican food section, oriental dishes, sushi bar, teppen yaki, huge salad
selections, pizza section, meat carving stations, plus almost every side
dish you could think of. All cooked fresh.

Then there's dessert. As I remember there were over 100 items to choose
from.

I think lunch was priced under $20, and dinner just over $20. I've eaten at
other buffets in Vegas (Mirage, Circus Circus, Treasure Island, Caesar's)
and they are ALL very good (and clean) at the major hotels there. But the
one at the Rio was the best I've ever had.

Just my opinion, of course. As always, alcohol may have been a factor.

Van

Van said...

>
> "Andy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
>> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>>
>> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and
>> press. Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem
>> worth the trip!?
>>
>> Ever been?
>>
>
> Yup. It is absolutely AWESOME! (Nothing like the crap in Atlantic
> City).
>
> The 300 items includes a breakfast section (complete with waffle &
> omelet stations, dishes like whole smoked salmon & several such
> specialty foods) served in the morning. For lunch & dinner fare, steaks
> cooked to order, a Mexican food section, oriental dishes, sushi bar,
> teppen yaki, huge salad selections, pizza section, meat carving
> stations, plus almost every side dish you could think of. All cooked
> fresh.
>
> Then there's dessert. As I remember there were over 100 items to choose
> from.
>
> I think lunch was priced under $20, and dinner just over $20. I've
> eaten at other buffets in Vegas (Mirage, Circus Circus, Treasure Island,
> Caesar's) and they are ALL very good (and clean) at the major hotels
> there. But the one at the Rio was the best I've ever had.
>
> Just my opinion, of course. As always, alcohol may have been a factor.
>
> Van


Van,

I was thinking, you just can't buy that kind of press if you're "not all
that!"

Thanks!

Best,

Andy
--
"I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

"Van" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Andy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
>> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>>
>> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
>> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
>> trip!?
>>
>> Ever been?
>>
>
> Yup. It is absolutely AWESOME! (Nothing like the crap in Atlantic City).
>
> The 300 items includes a breakfast section (complete with waffle & omelet
> stations, dishes like whole smoked salmon & several such specialty foods)
> served in the morning. For lunch & dinner fare, steaks cooked to order, a
> Mexican food section, oriental dishes, sushi bar, teppen yaki, huge salad
> selections, pizza section, meat carving stations, plus almost every side
> dish you could think of. All cooked fresh.
>
> Then there's dessert. As I remember there were over 100 items to choose
> from.
>
> I think lunch was priced under $20, and dinner just over $20. I've eaten
> at other buffets in Vegas (Mirage, Circus Circus, Treasure Island,
> Caesar's) and they are ALL very good (and clean) at the major hotels
> there. But the one at the Rio was the best I've ever had.
>
> Just my opinion, of course. As always, alcohol may have been a factor.
>
> Van
>
Alcohol and busty broads!

Yup, the Vegas buffets are like none other... no way can they be compared to
yer mamma's salad bar... the seafood buffets are unbelieveable, flown in
fresh 24/7 from every ocean. Vegas doesn't look to make a profit on food n'
booze, it's all complimentary... the minimal fee is only to deter the
riffraff.

"Andy" > wrote in message ...
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?
>
> I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine about
> six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some prior
> food
> encrusted on it.
>
> To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
> thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I
> looked
> back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate back
> to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never returned.
>
> No objections from the ignorant staff.
>
> Transient guests, beware!
>
> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
> bitten, twice shy.
>

Went to a wedding last night right on the Chesapeake Bay at Chesapeake Bay
Resort and Spa. Nice! This morning we had breakfast at the restaurant next
door and they had a fantastic buffet. Though the waitress was surprised
when I told her to take my plate silverware and all after one plateful.
That's the problem with buffets -- too easy to stuff yourself. No worries
here, though. We partied it up so hard last night that most of us were very
hung-over this morning. LOL Everyone was walking in for breakfast with
swollen eyes and looking just like I felt. Damned groom buying everyone
Jager Bomb shooters. The kind with Red Bull. Whoa. lol

Cheryl said...

>
> "Andy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
>> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>>
>> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and
>> press. Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem
>> worth the trip!?
>>
>> Ever been?
>>
>> I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine
>> about six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some
>> prior food
>> encrusted on it.
>>
>> To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
>> thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I
>> looked
>> back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate
>> back to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never
>> returned.
>>
>> No objections from the ignorant staff.
>>
>> Transient guests, beware!
>>
>> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
>> bitten, twice shy.
>>
>
> Went to a wedding last night right on the Chesapeake Bay at Chesapeake
> Bay Resort and Spa. Nice! This morning we had breakfast at the
> restaurant next door and they had a fantastic buffet. Though the
> waitress was surprised when I told her to take my plate silverware and
> all after one plateful. That's the problem with buffets -- too easy to
> stuff yourself. No worries here, though. We partied it up so hard last
> night that most of us were very hung-over this morning. LOL Everyone
> was walking in for breakfast with swollen eyes and looking just like I
> felt. Damned groom buying everyone Jager Bomb shooters. The kind with
> Red Bull. Whoa. lol


You married the man!

There's no UNDO to I DO!

Andy

Andy wrote:
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?

We went to the Rio buffet a few months ago and it was $30 well spent. I
only ate two things, sushi and dessert. I had no intention of eating
dessert, but each delectable item I saw was an artistic work of art. I
do not know who makes them, but they tasted as good as they looked.
Just superb.


Becca

Becca said...

> Andy wrote:
>> In praise of buffets?
>>
>> NOT!?
>>
>> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>>
>> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
>> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
>> trip!?
>>
>> Ever been?
>
> We went to the Rio buffet a few months ago and it was $30 well spent. I
> only ate two things, sushi and dessert. I had no intention of eating
> dessert, but each delectable item I saw was an artistic work of art. I
> do not know who makes them, but they tasted as good as they looked.
> Just superb.
>
>
> Becca


Thanks!

The TV show certainly made me feel... thin?

[waving]

Andy
--
"I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

"Andy" > wrote in message ...
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?

It has been a few years since I've stayed at the Rio, but their buffet was
above average compared to other LV places.

I'd not go out of my way for it (or any other buffet) but I'd choose Rio
over many others .

On Jun 13, 3:29*pm, Andy > wrote:
> In praise of buffets?
>
> NOT!?
>
> Now I'm watching a TV show on Vegas buffets.
>
> The Rio Buffet seems to get the nods from the people, critics and press.
> Somehow 300+ fresh dishes at a time seems like a stretch. Seem worth the
> trip!?
>
> Ever been?
>
> I've had an Atlantic City casino breakfast buffet and had to examine about
> six plates in a row to find one that wasn't spotted or with some prior food
> encrusted on it.
>
> To those who went ahead of me, it was obvious they never gave it any
> thought ("MOO!"). The guests following behind me learned a lesson. I looked
> back at their shocked expressions. I took a scoop of eggs on a plate back
> to my table, and quietly asked for my money back and never returned.
>
> No objections from the ignorant staff.
>
> Transient guests, beware!
>
> From the looks of it, I'd really like to try the Rio Buffet but, once
> bitten, twice shy.
>
> Andy
> --
> "I only know what I read. NOT what I'm talking about!"
> --Andy

I've eaten at one called Hometown Buffet. The food's pretty good
overall but it always gives me major...and I mean MAJOR gas!!!