World famous restaurant and tourist guide, Zagat Survey, has recently launched a travel guide focused on Las Vegas, which provides readers with helpful information about the best Las Vegas restaurants, steakhouses, French bistros, Italian, Oriental and exotic restaurants as well as hotels, entertainment and nightclubs . The guide, which is designed for locals and tourists,  was created based on the opinion of more than 5,000 participants who rated almost 800 restaurants, nightclubs, shopping centers and malls, hotels and resorts, golf courses and other attractions.

But let’s talk about Zagat top picks and results. First let me tell you that according to the recently released guide, Las Vegas ranks among the most expensive places to eat in the U.S, with an average cost of a meal of $44.44, which is about $4 more than a meal in New York. Some restaurants that ranked at the top of the list included Picasso at the Bellagio, Bouchon at the Venetian Resort and Casino, Aureole at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Restaurant Charlie at the Palazzo Resort and Casino.

The exclusive Wynn Las Vegas scored #1 for top overall, followed by the Bellagio as most popular hotels in Las Vegas. Other hotels mentioned by the Zagat Las Vegas are the Venetian Resort and Casino, Palazzo Resort and Four Seasons Las Vegas.

When it comes to the Las Vegas nightlife scene, "Gold Diggers" at the Golden Nugget, "Rok" at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino and "Canyon Club" at the Four Queens are leading the list of best Las Vegas Nightclubs. In the hopping category, Nordstrom was named the most popular store in Vegas while Brioni received an honorary mention for top quality. Finally, ReflectionBay at LakeLas Vegas was chosen by Zagat readers as the most popular and fashionable golf course in SinCity.

Originally launched by Tim and Nina Zagat, Zagat Guide is the number one provider of consumer survey-based information on where to Eat, Drink, Stay and Play in more than 70 locations around the world. With ratings and reviews based on the judgment and personal opinion of more than 350,000 surveyors worldwide, Zagat Survey has become the world's most trusted source to help consumers make informed decisions about restaurants, nightspots, hotels, attractions and other recreational activities. To buy the 2009 Zagat Survey Las Vegas, please visit WDIAV Shopping section or click here.

Read about the 2011 Zagat Las Vegas Guide