Q: negative

A: Our party of 4 was disappointed with the Thanksgiving buffet. The service didn't live up to the $45 price. The buffet had employees serving, and some of them didn't know how to carve. We were given gristle, fat, whatever came off the bird. The same for the sirloin. The buffet was advertised as "traditional meal with an Italian twist." While some of the Turkey Day staples were good, the stuffing was definitely Italian (chestnut) and no one liked it. We pointed out to a manager the problem with the serving at the buffet, and he told us, that's the first complaint we've received. OK, then you should deal with it like any restaurant should! Which he did not. Not even a half sincere apology, we got nothing. I hate it when my out of town guests are disappointed with a meal on the Strip. Venetian, you can, and should, do better!

Q: positive

A: Girasole is probably my favorite restaurant in the Walnut St. corridor. I specifically want to talk about their salad. I know this charming and cozy Italian restuarnt is not a one trick pony (their various Raviolis being especially exceptional) but their signature Girasole Salad is really something special. In Italian the word "Girsole" means "Sunflower," a flavor that really comes through in this salad. Not only is the salad sprinkled in sunflowers, the dressing is made of some blend of sunflower oil and vinegar and really makes the salad stand out from its peers. I have thought this dressing so deliciously tangy and unique, I've bought it from the restaurant in a bottle on more than one occasion. Served in a generous helping, you can order the salad with chicken or shrimp, which are always tender and succulent. Red onions and gorgonzola really complete the flavor experience. Really, it's the number one salad in town.

Q: positive

A: El Diablo dish for brunch is amaaazing. Great atmosphere! Try the pims carafe. The only negative content I have is, that if you go by yourself they won't seat you. .. They'll tell you to go to the bar even if there's no spots open.I found that to be a bit weird, but it was busy, so maybe that was the reason.

Q: negative

A:
Went there last night to use a Groupon coupon the hub had purchased a while back; he really needs to do more research into the places before he buys coupons. We had tried to go to AJ at least twice before, each time to find locked doors. I called and was told they really were only open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Sounds like a hobby for someone instead of an actual going concern. We stopped in on our way home from work, and found ourselves alone; an older couple came in shortly before we left. I can imagine that when it's dark outside, and all the neon and whatnot is lit inside, it can be an interesting place to hang out. But the sunlight streaming in the windows last night didn't do it any favors. The hub had ordered chips, salsa and guac by the time I got there. The salsa was watery, and the fact that it shared a bowl with the guac didn't help either one. And the chips were totally stale; I imagine they were left over from last Saturday night. Our server was obviously unhappy to have to tell us that the fryer was down, so we couldn't order any sides that had to be fried. Really? You're only open three nights a week, and the fryer is down? Sure hope you get it fixed before Friday... The burger I had was surprisingly good, but the bacon tasted very strange. And I had a bizarre side dish I never expected to see on the menu in a place like this...a large serving of tricolored quinoa that was presented totally devoid of any moisture...no dressing, no veggies mixed in, nothing. The house special pizza the hub ordered was good, though. Service was good, although when the hub ordered Coke, an open carafe was brought to the table along with the glass...so all the fizzies disappeared. Those plastic carafes could use some replacing; the two we saw, for the Coke and the water, were all cracked and scratched. This is a place for John Taffer if I ever saw one...