I had such high expectations after the last visit to Bacchanal Buffet. After the hiking trip we stayed overnight at Las Vegas just so we could go to Bacchanal Buffet again, but, after all the excitement, the food didn't turn out as great as I remembered it to be, especially with the prices we paid and the time we waited.\n\nMaybe it's because of the Chinese New Year, or maybe because it's the President Day weekend, prices were $49.99 with Total Rewards card, and there was a 2hr line at around 8pm. As we've experienced the much longer Thanksgiving hype, we were prepared to wait for it.\n\nAt the pay counter, they gave us small little silicon plate grabbers and said to use that because some of their plates tend to be hot, and I thought that was a very nice gesture.\n\nAfter we were sat, we all went to the seafood counter right away, because it always has the longest line ever, and of course, I couldn't wait for those yummy oysters! After waiting patiently for my turn, I filled up a plate full of freshly shucked oysters as well as a few oyster shooters and went back to my table a happy gal.\n\nThe oyster shooters were still very good, but I couldn't help but notice the oysters were generally smaller than what I had the last time. And as I wolf down the delicacies (I was very hungry after a day's hiking and standing in line), I also got more of the broken off shells into my mouth. It's understandable I guess, with only one person shucking the oysters but so many people waiting on them, one cannot expect the staff to wipe the debris and broken shells off... \n\nAs I ate a few more pieces, I found myself actually using the lemon wedges because the oysters had just gotten too fishy without the lemons. Uh Oh, that's not good! Oysters weren't fresh enough! But hey, it's 10pm right, it's been a whole day right, can't expect them to still be fresh at so late a time right. Except, I've had perfectly shucked fresh juicy oysters on my Thanksgiving trip at 10pm also! But I just love oysters, so who cares about how fresh the oysters were when I can have as many as I want right? Yeah... that's what I thought, until I bit into one that had gone bad! I've had oysters at other buffets, granted, they were the cheap big chunky version and didn't taste that great, but none I've had at a buffet had actually gone bad. I couldn't believe my luck when I had this happen at a supposedly top tier buffet. After that incident, my appetite for seafood just went whoosh.\n\nWith no more craving for seafood, I was left to explore the many other options offered at Bacchanal. So I walked around the place abit, noticed that they offered nigiri but no sashimi at the Japanese station, and was further put off. The plus side is the rice that came was the nigiri was smaller than at other buffets, but it still wasn't sashimi where you can have as many raw fish as you want, and I do feel bad leaving all the rice uneaten, so I ended up not getting any from the Japanese station.\n\nThe tater tots and sweet potato tots were still very good, though not as crispy as I wished. I guess they were left on the station for too long, and the kitchen definitely won't be making more as they were close to closing.\n\nAt the Chinese station I've noticed a small black-brownish pot, and the tag said \"black chicken soup\". Now that's something nice! As I tried to pick up the pot, it was still way too hot for my sensitive fingers, so I remembered the plate grabber I got at the counter, except the pot is too thick for the grabber to work! Urgh! With no utensils around to help me pick up the pot, I was forced to pick up the pot with my fingers. Sigh... the things we do for food... The a bit burned fingers were well worth the sacrifice, because the soup was just soooo tasty! I definitely recommend everyone to try out their black chicken soup! (Unless you are into heavy flavors, then you'll find the soup to be flavorless or too light.)\n\nMy second favorite of the night was the mochi. Sadly you can only get two at a time, but several trips back to try out all the flavors were worthwhile the time. The ice cream wasn't too sweet, so it can act as a good palette refresher as well. The rice was soft and almost creamy, unlike the usually sticky and chewy mochi you buy at the frozen section of a supermarket. Definitely try them out when you visit.\n\n\nOverall... I'm disappointed with this time's visit. The food in general just wasn't as fresh nor tasty as the last time. For the price I pay and the time to wait in line, I don't think it's worth it to visit Bacchanal again.
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