Since its opening in 2012, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace has received accolades and acclaim. In some ways, it redefined the Las Vegas buffet experience. The days of over-sauced, dead-weight pasta and heat lamp-reheated meats were over when Caesars unveiled this upscale all-you-can-eat experience. Now, seven years later, there is still a lot to like at the elegant, impressive Bacchanal Buffet.

At traditional buffets, it’s easy to understand why diners might overlook salad choices. At Bacchanal, get small, appetizing, plated salads. The Caesar salad gets some added zing from the addition of sundried tomatoes and a crunchy toast point can be broken down into as many croutons as the eater craves. On a recent visit, individual watermelon yukari salads were served featuring two juicy hunks of the fruit topped with the Japanese seasoning.

The showcase sections of the buffet usually have some type of meaty centerpiece. The taco station features freshly made carne asada, chicken and al pastor pork street-style tacos. The Italian area has pork and beef meatballs, cheese, pepperoni and mushroom pizzas, and rotating pastas.

Then there’s the famous crab selection, a favorite of Bacchanal enthusiasts. At the Italian station, they serve made-to-order steamed crab. Meanwhile, the impressive seafood section has multiple cold crustaceans including snow and Alaskan king crab legs and the juicy meat of Jonah crab claws.

Not surprisingly, there is usually a line at the American station, which features freshly carved meats often cooked low and slow with the assistance of apple and peach wood. American wagyu beef, slab bacon, tri tip and beef brisket all stand in a row with a chef ready to carve to every carnivore’s whim and fancy.

While the big-ticket items are eye-catchers, one should not overlook the small plates dispersed throughout the stations. Dishes like individual shepherd’s pies, elk sliders, chicken tamales done Christmas-style with red and green sauce and an assortment of Chinese dumplings are subtle treasures that await the observant eater. And each of the nine major stations offers at least one vegan dish.

A quick tip: Check out the impressive dessert island before chowing down on anything, so the appropriate amount of belly room can be saved for sweets. Freshly made crepes with berry compotes and Nutella are a great way to end a meal. The gelato bar features many flavors and a mix of, say, chocolate and blackberry truly hits the spot. But for those who don’t like gelato, other decadent options await—delicious coconut macaroons, mango tapioca cups, individual key lime pies, mini pecan pies and strawberry mochas.

Caesars Palace, weekday brunch, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri. ($39.99), weekend brunch, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. ($54.99), weekday dinner, 3-10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. ($54.99), weekend dinner, 3-10 p.m. Fri.-Sun. ($64.99). 702.731.7928