By Rachel Levin, Sunset Magazine

1. Bellagio. Our favorite place to drop, er, we mean win, a few bucks. It's one of the Strip's fanciest. Outside, illuminated streams of water, choreographed to music, shoot like clockwork, from Lake Bellagio. Sounds tacky - until you start swooning over Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" as the fountains dance, ever so gracefully. Every half-hour until 6 pm; every 15 minutes 8 pm-midnight; free; 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S.

2. Fashion Show Mall. Best shopping on the Strip. A get-lost-in-it emporium with more than 250 stores, including all the big names: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale's Home. 3200 Las Vegas Blvd S. (across from the Wynn); 702-369-8382.

3. Jet. The nightclub has three rooms, each with a different sound - hip-hop/top 40, rock, and house. Fri, Sat and Mon; The Mirage, lobby level, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd S; 702-693-8300.

4. Mix Lounge. Fantastic views of the Strip. $$$; at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S; 702-632-9500.

5. Bradley Ogden. Four years old and still at the top of the Vegas food chain - with Ogden's signature farm-country cooking and flown-in-fresh ingredients. $$$$; Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S; 877-346-4642.

6. Burger Bar. Pull up a stool at celeb chef Hubert Keller's casual carnivorous eatery, where burgers range from basic to foie gras- and truffle-topped Kobe beef. $$; Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay Resort, 3930 Las Vegas Blvd S; 702-632-9364.

7. Como's. The beloved Joseph Keller restaurant at MonteLago Village packs 'em in. A refreshingly low-key scene enhanced by high-quality dishes, such as Nebraska rib-eye and crispy-skin salmon. $$$$; Lake Las Vegas, 10 Via Brianza, Ste. 100, Henderson, NV; 702-567-9950.

8. Daniel Boulud Brasserie. NYC's James Beard-winning chef brings a bit of France to town with this bustling brasserie. $$$$; Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S; 702-770-9966.

9. Joël Robuchon at the Mansion. The famed French chef came out of retirement to open his only formal fine-dining restaurant Stateside. Choose from a 6- or 16-course tasting menu. $$$$; MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S; 702-891-7925. (For a less lavish, and less pricey, experience, go next door to L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, where you can sample signature dishes à la carte. $$$$; 702/891-7358.)

10. Salt Lick Bar B-Q. Sticky, slow-cooked spareribs and tender barbecue chicken - straight out of Driftwood, Texas. Long picnic tables make this crazy-popular place casual and communal. $; Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, 11011 W Charleston Blvd, 702-797-7535.

Related Links:

• Sunset Magazine: Las Vegas Beyond The Strip
• Sunset Magazine: A Greater Vegas Plan
• Sunset Magazine: Vegas: Outdoors Too
• Sunset Magazine: Sidle Up To A Grand Dam