Travel

Chow Down at These All-You-Can-Eat Extravaganzas

Las Vegas isn't just about the gambling and free drinks; it's also about food, glorious food. more specifically, the buffets.

We're not talking soggy corn on the cob and lifeless hunks of mystery meat swimming in gooey gravy buffets.

Vegas has some of the best buffet spreads in the country, each boasting an array of foods that'll take you on a culinary tour of the world. You can indulge in everything from freshly sliced Kobe beef, nigiri sushi and duck braised with Riesling, to American staples like pizza, barbecue ribs and, yes, even (crisp!) corn on the cob.

The only gamble here is whether to go back for that third plate and risk being wheeled out of the dining room after slipping into a food coma.

With so many buffets to choose from, how do you narrow it down to the best of the best? Follow our hungry lead:

It's well worth the weekend dinner tab if you're looking for 5-star food, though the ambiance at the Bellagio still feels more like a typical buffet dining hall (albeit a really nice one).

Adventurous eaters can find plenty to keep them satisfied, including foie gras, buffalo, duck, quail and other exotic meats, a large sushi station, and a selection of seafood that includes fantastic lime-soaked ceviche, mussels and sometimes even shark.

The crab legs are hands-down the best on the Strip, and be sure to load up on the mozzarella balls, freshly baked breads and pesto mashed potatoes. You can also get your fill of pizza, some even sprinkled with non-traditional toppings such as shrimp.

The desserts are plentiful - although they're certainly not the highlight of the buffet - and you can choose from a wide selection of unique cocktails.

Guests enter the Vegas incarnation of a small French village, complete with cobblestone walkways, old-fashioned lamp posts, and faux homes and store fronts, set under a ceiling painted to resemble a blue sky.

While most Vegas buffets more or less feature variations of the same types of foods, Le Village adds a French flair to many of its dishes. The buffet is structured around five regions of France, with one area focusing on kabobs stacked with seafood and sausages, and another specializing in melted cheeses paired with potatoes, meats and vegetables.

Ask a chef to cook you up a fresh fruit-filled crepe, or select from prepared duck, chicken apple sausage, quiche, cheeses, vegetables, soups and traditional crusty French breads.

he dessert spread is one of the best in town. We recommend the Bananas Foster, creme brulee and flan.