Tag Archives: Travel

The Circo at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas

10/29/2012 Shirley

During my most recent trip to Las Vegas I ate dinner at the Circo restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel. Overall I was very impressed. When I update my list of Top Ten Restaurants in Las Vegas, I’m pretty sure Circo will be on the list.

The evening began in the small bar near the entrance of the restaurant. There were three or four small tables and an intimate bar with about 10 tall chairs. The bartender was very friendly and suggested a Raspberry Fizz, one of their house specialties. It was very tasty and the next time I’m at Circo, I’ll probably order it again.

I was seated at a window overlooking so-called Lake Bellagio and had an excellent view of their world famous water fountain show. The waiter was friendly and helpful. For an appetizer, he suggested the lobster salad. The great evening got better when I found it was the best lobster salad I’ve ever had. My friend had a 20 vegetable soup that was fantastic too.

The waiter suggested one of Circo’s signature dishes, a lamb entree, but I decided on an elegant duck ravioli instead. My meal was excellent but be honest I think the duck ravioli would be better as a shared appetizer or shared plate with a group of people. My friend had a New York Steak that was excellent but it’s hard to distinguish between excellent steaks so I can’t really compare it to other steaks I’ve had in Vegas.

For dessert, I had “Zabaglione” – made with raspberry sorbet, champagne, and poached peach. It was perfect – not too sweet, not too heavy – just right. If you’re at or near the Bellagio, and want a good selection with items that are different, but not too different, I recommend that you check out Circo.

Circo at Bellagio, Las Vegas_1 — FRANTOIANA-Tuscan twenty-vegetable and bean soup

Circo at Bellagio, Las Vegas_2 — INSALATO D’ARAGOSTA-Chilled Maine lobster & avocado salad

Circo at Bellagio, Las Vegas — PANSOTTI-Braised duck filled ravioli

ZABAGLIONE dessertfrom Circo at Bellagio in Las Vegas — ZABAGLIONE-raspberry sorbet, champagne, and poached peach

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The Mansion at MGM Grand in Las Vegas

10/22/2012 Shirley

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Sinatra at Encore in Las Vegas

10/10/2012 Shirley

Out of my list for top ten restaurants in Las Vegas, Sinatra at Encore property is the BEST. I am a fan of Frank Sinatra music. I love the decoration and Sinatra’s music they play in the restaurant, not to mention the delicious Italian food, cocktail drinks, and great services they have.

For starter, I recommend Polpettina (housemade meatball and polenta fries). For entrée, I recommend Lasagna Bolognese (fresh pasta layered with veal, pork and beef). It’s served in a little hot metal pan. I always wondered how they keep the handle so cool while the pan itself was hot. I finally asked them on my most recent visit. It turned out that the lasagna is baked in the little pan in the oven and they cooled the handle with ice before they serve the dish. If you like rib eye, try Tagliata (bone-in rib eye grilled with cherry tomatoes, capers, and basil). I am usually a filet mignon person, but the Tagliata I had in Sinatra last time was so juicy and tender; I really like it.

If you drink cocktails, try Sinatra Smash; it’s mixed of whiskey and blackberries. It’s fruity and refreshing. If you have room for dessert, try the tiramisu. The tiramisu is made of mascarpone cream and espresso soaked ladyfinger biscuits, served in a martini glass. The texture is so smooth; it melts in the mouth with every bite.

I’ve been going to Sinatra every year since they opened (near the end of year 2007). I love the restaurant so much because of their food and the atmosphere. Frank Sinatra played an important part in the history of fabulous Vegas. What can be more classic than a restaurant tribute to his music and achievements!

Sina at Wynn, Las Vegas — Sinatra interior with special chandelier

Sinatra at Wynn, Las Vegas — Polpettina-house made meatball and polenta fries

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Allegro at Wynn in Las Vegas

09/30/2012 Shirley

Allegro at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas used to named Stratta and was classified as a casual Italian restaurant. After Chef Enzo Febrravo joined the Wynn he changed the name to Allegro, which debuted on Monday, August 6, 2012.

When I made a dinner reservation for Thursday, August 19, I expected Allegro to be a similar casual Italian restaurant like Stratta used to be. But I was surprised at how great and unique the food was at the new restaurant.

My friend and I had Osso Buco D’agnello, made with a bone-in lamb shank, vegetable stew, and Pappardelle pasta (freshly made), and Baked Lasagna Napoletana, made with Sunday meat ragu sauce, meatballs, and smoked mozzarella cheese. The stew with the lamb dish was tasty and the pasta was chewy. The lasagna was the best lasagna I ever had!

We told our server how much we loved the new Allegro food compared to the old restaurant. He came back with the manager and the Chef Enzo Febrravo to talk to us. The chef told us that he wants his restaurant to be unique with authentic Italian flavor. His dishes are crafted with an at-home cooking style.

I had such a great experience on my first visit to Allegro. I went back there again three days later with a different group of friends. I was surprised that the manager and the chef recognized me (given that they were packed with guests every night). The chef came to our table to greet us and offered his special sampling menu. We sat there, enjoyed our drinks, and were overwhelmed with appetizers, special dishes, and desserts. Everything was so great. My friends loved the food and the special treatment.

Although Allegro is categorized as casual dining at the Wynn hotel, it’s on my top ten best fine dining restaurant list and I will definitely go back to again. The next time you go to Vegas I encourage you to check out the Allegro restaurant at the Wynn.