For flavor and fun in a casino restaurant, it's hard to beat Il Fornaio. Surrounded by the New York-New York's version of Central Park, including a stream diners must bridge to get to the restaurant, Il Fornaio earns high marks for atmosphere. Bilingual waiters with lovely Italian accents port baskets of crusty homemade bread that alone warrants repeat trips ("il fornaio" means "the baker"). Authenticity rules the cooking in wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and rotisserie meats. In all, a great place to carbo-load before undertaking a casino marathon.

Il Fornaio Information:

• Italian menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Bar. Casual attire. Valet parking.