There's no question that Las Vegas has become one of the world's finest dining destinations despite the fact that we are slap middle in a scrubby desert far from the ocean's fish and the Heartland's farms that provide meats and vegetables.

The Strip has incredible restaurants, world-famous wines and sommeliers and most importantly a contingent of celebrity chefs. It's the perfect storm for glitzy gourmands, but for locals and tourists, it also is a minefield to maneuver.

Is a reservation easy to obtain? Will you wait an hour for a table? Will you be seated at an undesirable table stuck in Siberia or too close to the men's room? Will the maitre' d dismiss your appearance? Will the waiter ignore you while providing top-notch service to the table next to you? Will the bill be so large your credit card fails to clear? Will your gratuity be thrown back in your face, scoffed at or ridiculed in front of other waiters and customers?

Donald Contursi has founded Lip Smacking Foodie Tours of Las Vegas to take all those worries out of the Las Vegas dining experience for the novice. “Our goal is to take the gamble out of restaurants in this extremely competitive landscape,” he said. “We're revolutionizing the way enthusiasts navigate the dining scene.

“Our three-hour excursions highlight as many as five stops at the city's best restaurants with the best chefs, signature dishes, unique preparations and exciting tastes. Our patrons come away with an unforgettable experience that treats them like kings and queens and doesn't break the royal bank.”

His tours with a guide armed with insider knowledge and insightful tips guarantee no lines, hassles and waiting, so in just one outing at five of Las Vegas' most-acclaimed restaurants, they taste signature dishes prepared by award-winning chefs in a fun, interactive and immersive experience.

The afternoon culinary adventures are 2 1/2 hours and the $125 per person cost covers the guide, food and tips. The three-hour Savors of the Strip evening tour at $199 per person takes guests through exclusive doors of the Strip's most dynamic restaurants for a three-course, creme de la creme connoisseur's tasting by A-list chefs preparing everything from calamari to caviar and foie gras.

Donald's list of partner restaurants reads like a Food Network's booking directory: James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina at his new Bardot Brasserie in Aria; Jose Andres and his buzzed-about tapas at Jaleo and China Poblano both in the Cosmopolitan; and the beautiful new Lago at Bellagio by Michelin-decorated Julian Serrano.

Also, chef Shawn McClain's stunning Sage at Aria; culinary star Matthias Merges at his Japanese dining concept Yusho at Monte Carlo; with a final stop at the new Hexx Kitchen indoor-outdoor restaurant at Paris Las Vegas with Nevada's first bean-to-bar craft chocolate salon.

“We've picked the best dishes, exciting tastes and unique preparations from 330 restaurants on the Strip,” explained Donald. “These are the best bites Las Vegas has to offer. You might need Lady Luck at the gaming tables, but not when you rely on our savvy culinary tours that ensure a delicious payoff.”

Donald shared his most frequently asked questions:

What restaurants are visited on the tour?

Because we believe that half the fun lies in the anticipation and surprise, we do not divulge destinations in advance. We will visit two to three resorts and average two to three restaurants at each resort.

With a reputation to defend on showcasing the best dishes in town, we refuse to visit anything that is mediocre. Throughout this unique experience, our guides will share culinary insights and fun facts that can only come from the perspective of a local.

Are the tours worthwhile for locals?

Absolutely. In fact, many Lip Smacking Foodie Tour attendees live in Las Vegas. Our tours are designed to showcase hidden culinary gems and savor buzzed-about dishes, which in some cases might be renowned but are rarely sampled all in one evening.

We make a point to introduce locals to culinary treasures in their backyard that they wouldn't otherwise know about. Locals especially enjoy taking our tours when celebrating a special occasion or when friends are visiting.

What types of foods are served on the tour?

You will feast on only the best signature dishes at carefully selected, top-rated restaurants that have built their reputation on having one of the most-sought-after bites in town.

Our tastings include dishes ranging from appetizers to entrees and desserts, which altogether will comprise a complete meal. We focus on quality, not quantity. Additionally, the amount of food consumed is spread over two to three hours, so you should feel comfortably full, not painfully stuffed.

Are beverages served on the tours?

Water is served at all locations. We offer a pre-purchased alcoholic beverage add-on that includes a pre-selected signature drink at various stops. Alcohol or other additional beverages or food not included on the tour also may be purchased separately.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies and vegetarian options?

Please inform us in advance if any members of your party have food allergies or dietary restrictions during the checkout process at the time of booking. Be sure to let your tour guide know, too, when you arrive.

We will do our best to make appropriate substitutions whenever possible, but we cannot guarantee them. If your dietary restrictions are extensive and cover multiple food categories, you might consider a private customized tour instead.

How long are the tours?

Tours generally last 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the route, with ample time to enjoy every dish. If you are planning to attend a show or event afterward, we recommend you allow plenty of time to get to it. Our tours move at a moderate pace with participants standing or walking the majority of the time.

All of our destinations also offer seats. Please inform us in advance if any members of your party has physical restrictions or limitations (wheelchair, trouble walking, etc.). If walking or standing for 3 hours is too strenuous, you might consider booking a private, customized tour.

What types of Foodie tours do you offer for individuals and groups?

Group Tours and Private and Custom Tours are by foot. Private Tours are available on the Strip and off-the-beaten path. Want an all-dessert or a gourmet burger tour or something equally personalized? We can create it.

In fact, we often escort chefs and restaurateurs around to do menu research or show them what's new and worth checking out. Because you determine the guest list, this tour also is ideal for company team-building events, birthday celebrations or a warm-up to a bachelor/bachelorette party.

How many people on a group tour?

The standard number of guests per group is 12.

Where does each tour start and end?

Each tour begins at a specific location on the Las Vegas Strip depending on the route. You are responsible for transportation to the meeting location. Near each meeting location, there is free parking in the self-parking garage of every resort.

The tours do not finish at the exact same place where they began but within a couple blocks of the meeting location. Instructions with meeting location are provided after you purchase your tickets.

Donald summed up: “It's a roll of the dice to keep up with what's hot and what's not at the splashy restaurants on the world-famous Strip. We offer a far more dependable way with the tours because our friendly guides believe dining out should never be a crapshoot. We ensure that our visitors hit the jackpot every time on the best bites that Las Vegas has to offer.”