Review of Aqua Bellagio Las Vegas – Upscale Seafood and Fine Wine
San Francisco’s renowned gourmet seafood restaurant has found a second home at the Hotel Bellagio. It does justice to the reputation of the original restaurant with delicious dishes, artfully and colorfully presented. The elegant yet comfortable restaurant is divided into two sections, a large main dining room and a more private alcove. Aqua’s large windows overlook the hotel’s elegantly landscaped pool area, a beautiful view in the early evening and later at night.
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.
