Play the Slots and Enjoy a Good Meal by Eddie Applefeld

It's not too often you'll find a buffet in a big hotel that is actually any good. I say not too often, not impossible.

There are exceptions, and here's one of them, The Live Buffet in the Maryland Live! Casino at Arundel Mills. Orchestrated by Executive Chef Rudy Volpe, who last worked at Carmine's in New York, the buffet is one of the best I've been to.

Rudy is only there about 60 to 70 hours per week making sure all the dishes both look good and taste good.

The restaurant seats about 350, is open from 11 to 4 Sunday through Thursday and until 11 Friday and Saturday, and offers about 100 dishes for both lunch and dinner. The menu does change at dinner and it also changes seasonally. 

Interestingly, dinners have themes. Wednesday night is steak night, Thursday is prime rib night and Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all you can eat snow crabs. Be advised these nightly specials are subject to change.

Some of the buffet items available at dinner include roasted prime rib, fried chicken, pasta dishes, Asian food (Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese), shrimp, bread, veggies, desserts and an ice cream and yogurt bar (with toppings).

Lunch is $16.95, dinner is $26.95 and those seafood nights are $31.95.

The casino does offer various 2-for-1 discounts, such as for people 55 and over, for the military and for ladies on Tuesday nights. By the way, all new Players Club members will receive a 2-for-1 coupon.