Besides the show stealing artwork, the restaurant offers other charms. For instance, the ceiling in the entrance hall is comprised of an intriguing arrangement of overturned pottery jars. The dining area is a large, spacious room jutting out into several private alcoves. Massive, colorful floral arrangements adorn the center of the dining room while elegant arrangements of cut roses were to be found on every
table. The outside wall of the main dining area is lined with large windows overlooking Lake Bellagio and its famous fountains. Prime tables are located right along the windows for the best view of the stunning water show that runs every fifteen minutes in the evening, an incredible backdrop to a perfect meal.

Lest we forget, food was also served! It was an incredible pleasure to discover first hand how, under the direction of master Chef Julian Serrano, Picasso has earned the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award of Excellence and the Mobil Five-Star rating. We enjoyed the Five-Course Degustation Menu, and from the very appearance of our amuse bouche(smoked salmon, caviar and crème fraiche on brioche) we were, in a word, transported.

We began with Jonah Crab Salad and a mixed greens with a pleasing vinaigrette. This was followed by the U-10 Day Boat Scallop, a single plump, incredibly tender scallop served with a delicious sauce and an elegant, crisp homemade potato chip.

The next course was the evening’s stellar entrée: a heavenly foie gras with apple, raisin and cranberry compote. The foie gras itself was perfection, with a slightly crisp exterior texture that melted in the mouth. The flavor managed to somehow be light and rich at the same time, and was complemented perfectly by the autumnal medley of the warm fruit compote.

The main entrée was Aged Lamb Roti encrusted in truffles and served with rosemary potatoes, carrots and au jus. The lamb was tender and rich in flavor, counterbalanced by the bitter earthiness of the delicious truffle crust. Every morsel of this dish was, without exaggeration, ambrosial.

For dessert we sampled both the Warm Chocolate Fondant and the Citrus Tart, the former a perfectly rich and comforting conclusion to our meal, the latter a cheerfully colored, refreshing custard wonderfully balancing tartness and sweetness.

The food at Picasso was absolutely superb, matched by its unparalleled service. We were more than simply served, we were attended to by a fleet of servers who ensured that water and wine glasses were never empty, that pesky crumbs were promptly swept from our table cloth, and that our every dining and comfort need was met. Servers managed to be elegant and unobtrusive, yet friendly and accessible.

Stellar. We are counting down the days until our return…

Overall Experience
We give Picasso 5 Stars- Outstanding!

Picasso is located in the Bellagio Hotel at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call 702-693-7223, or visit www.bellagio.com.

Starting our meal with a bang (because why not?), we sampled Roasted Maine Lobster with morrels, spring vegetables and lemon sauce and the Seared Scallops with Domestic Foie Gras. The lobster was exceptionally succulent, complemented by the perfectly restrained citrus flavor of a warm lemon sauce. Scallops were tender and juicy, and the foie gras quite pleasant.

For the main course, I enjoyed the Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut with artichoke puree and roasted nicoise vegetables. The presentation was colorful, the glossy tops of roasted red bell peppers and zucchini dotting the plate. The halibut itself was tender and slightly buttery crisp on the outside (mmmm….). It worked well with the flavorful artichoke puree.

My dining companion chose Aqua’s signature entree, the Lobster Pot Pie. One of us had to have this meal, or as I should rather say, this “experience”. First, the piping hot pie is wheeled out with much fanfare to your table. (If you don’t want a gaggle of curious onlookers, skip this dish!) The server then cuts away the top part of the pastry, placing it on your plate. Generous pieces of lobster are scooped out of the pie and arranged purposefully on the crust. The sauce, a lobster-truffle reduction, is spooned over the lobster along with the pie’s other components: morrels, truffles, creamer potatoes, peas and carrots. Despite the richness and creaminess of the pie’s ingredients, the flaky texture of the crust remained surprisingly intact.

With the knowledgeable assistance of Aqua’s sommelier, we paired both main course dishes with a crisp, pleasant white wine, La Garenne, Etienne Sauzet 1999.

For seafood lovers who lean toward the elegant side of the ocean, Aqua is a must on your Las Vegas dining list. As with all fine dining in Vegas, do book early to avoid disappointment.

Overall Experience
We give Aqua 4 Stars- Excellent!

Aqua is located in the Bellagio Hotel, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. For more information or to make reservations, call 702-693-7223 or visit www.bellagio.com.