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| - If you want to experience old Vegas and the grit of downtown, but from a safe distance... come to Firefly! This restaurant floats in a secure glass bubble, overlooking the Fremont Street shenanigans. It's almost like being at the zoo, with a comforting wall of glass between you and all the strippers, hookers and downscale hoi polloi with their plastic footballs full of frozen daiquiri. If that's your bag, then you're a pussy -- but you will like this restaurant.
I was prepared to dislike the place because I was such a HUGE fan of the swanky old-time steakhouse that used to occupy the space. As always, they had to rip out something cool to make way for something trendy and overpriced. But it actually turned out to be really cool! As mentioned it's a great view, good food at reasonable prices, and a MUCH better atmo than the other Firefly (on Paradise), which is loud and thick with poseurs. The atmo here is more laid back -- dim lighting and stylish comfy furniture, with lots of windows looking down at the circus maximus. Bonus tip: if they don't have any tables looking out toward Fremont (as they claimed when I went there, and tried to seat me at a table looking at a wall), just go sit in the lounge area. Great view and less hassle, with all the same service!
Food-wise it is fancy schmancy tapas. Everything I ordered was rich and full interesting flavors and ingredients, and the prices were good, so no complaints on that front. The French bread they serve was greasy, though, like it had been basted or even soaked in Canola oil before being toasted.
All in all, this is a fantastic place for you suburban walled-fortress-dwellers to experience downtown without WALLOWING in downtown. Only caveat: the valet parking is located right next to the downtown Greyhound Bus station. So you're gonna see some real grit and grime anyway, puss!
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