KEY TO SYMBOLS INEXPENSIVE (under $20) MODERATE ($20-$40) EXPENSIVE ($40 and up) LIVE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER KID-FRIENDLY OUTDOOR DINING 2006 EPICUREAN AWARD Unless otherwise noted, all restaurants listed accept reservations and take major credit cards. 8-0-8 Inside Caesars Palace (731-7110). Chef Jean-Marie Josselin attempts to redefine the fusion concept at his handsome, casual venue, and he succeeds ...

Take one brilliantly creative chef. Add equal parts Strip location, eye-grabbing design by a cutting-edge architectural firm and lots of first-grade meat. The yield: StripSteak, Michael Mina’s incandescent new Mandalay Bay restaurant. Mina is becoming something of a franchise these days, with plans under way to do a restaurant at the MGM Detroit and several other new projects. He ...

BEST SERVICE Michael Mina It’s not just smooth-as-silk general manager George Pagani or Sommelier Jason Smith — the youngest master sommelier in the United States — who make service here so special. Michael Mina expects his waitstaff to know the menu and wine list thoroughly. So it’s no surprise that the 15 front waiters — four women and 11 men — aided ...

BEST NEW RESTAURANT ON STRIP Social House The winner of this category is proof positive that the debut of our Internet balloting option this year encouraged the younger crowd to cast their votes. While Guy Savoy is considered one of the best restaurants in this country and Michael Mina’s creative new steak joint, StripSteak, has gotten significant national attention ...