(March 8, 2012) -- Pulling open the sleek door handle, I walked into the clean and pristine lobby of Vegas Seafood Buffet. The high arched ceiling and ornate furniture complete with heavily-accented curtains matched the high standards imposed by the restaurant’s name.

The waitress greeted us with warmth and enthusiasm as she seated us promptly. After taking down drinks, she let us loose on the extensive menu.

A quick survey of the food selection revealed 150 different dishes from Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian and American cuisine. The clean and crisp presentation made each dish look appetizing.

While the general overview and ambiance of the place impressed, the food quality didn’t quite meet the caliber implied. A few dishes among the usual selection of regular buffet dishes are of notable mention.

The Alaskan Snow Crab legs had firm meat that was easy to pull out but an odd after taste tended to linger after the first few crabs. I’ve had better Brazilian barbecue; the one offered here turned out on the dry side. Only the lamb came out right and not too pink.

Vegas offered a variety of salads, but I didn’t try any of them or the Teppanyaki (Mongolian Grill). The idea of quickly cooked food somehow never settled right with me.

The sushi was decent. At least it fared better than the dessert section, which ran the usual gamut of dry pastries. I do applaud the creme brulee whose creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor just melted in my mouth.

The chocolate fondue fountain would have been a great hit if it wasn’t heated so long. After you drench your strawberries, bananas, marshmallows or kiwis, the chocolate refused to harden and remained a liquid mess even after ten minutes.

My overall impression of the restaurant is satisfactory. While Vegas Seafood Buffet has all the makings of a great restaurant, its food lacks the distinct flavor and kick that would have surely had customers coming back for more. While the variety rivals that of other Asian-American buffets like Zen Buffet in Arcadia, the taste doesn’t compare.

The dinner price of $20+ a head seemed to pay more for the varied selection than for the quality of food. I’m not as inclined to return to this restaurant for dinner again, but will probably consider it an option for lunch for the sake of the variety and the reduced $12 price.