Best Kept Secret in Las Vegas 
By Nicky Vega
Recently on a trip to Las Vegas, my traveling companion highly recommended an obscure restaurant. I never heard of, nor seen ads for "Hugos Cellar". Hidden in the Four Queens Casino on Fremont Street www.fourqueens.com, I would have, in all likelihood, avoided it!
After much effort trying to find its location within the casino, we arrived with reservations at 5:30 PM to enjoyed cocktails at its tiny bar. Its location is downstairs, well hidden from the hustle and bustle of the casino. Our bar tender was a former waiter for RCCL, and to my surprise, I had been on his old ship "Viking Serenade" 15 years ago! His "killer" martini arrived in a cute carafe, complete with an ice bowl, and with a tray of complimentary gourmet crackers, two dips and nuts. His martini easily filled the glass three times - and all of this for $9!
Little did we know of Hugos awards:
Voted by Review Journal readers 5 years in a row as "Best Gourmet Room" in Las Vegas
Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" since 1993
Best Martini in Town
The ambiance of the property reminded me of an old English pub and restaurant, only much more elegant. I learned from our waiter and my dinner companion that most people who frequent this establishment are visitors who knew its secrets and locals, which told me something right there.
After cocktails, we sat at a cozy table and ordered filet mignon dinner priced at $22. Hot homemade breads with whipped butter arrived promptly. Our complimentary salad was made to order at our table. We chose from over a dozen different items. I ordered virtually everything on the salad cart to fill my chilled 15" plate! Between orders, we were served sorbet "to clear the palate". Our orders arrived hot and to my amazement, I was served two filet mignons, 6- 8 oz size. One was stuffed with blue crab meat. The presentation included a beautiful array of veggies and two cute crab claws. Neither one of us could finish our plates! After plate pickups, we were served with delightful complimentary chocolate strawberries and petit fours.
For the price this establishment is unbeatable! What amazed me was so much is included with the price of the meal. We were not "nickeled and dimed to death" with the little extras. The service and food quality easily equalled first class on the QE2 or any other restaurant costing many times as much!
Always make reservations well in advance. We dined early on a Tuesday night and the place was packed!