When you want to eat the best food, it’s very easy to hit the mark at Picasso Las Vegas. There are so many ballers and high rollers, and they need to eat too! Picasso at the Bellagio features French and Spanish influenced cuisine from award-winning Chef Julian Serrano. Picasso has received 2 Michelin Stars (2009), the AAA 5-Diamond Award, the James Beard Restaurant Award – the list of accolades goes on.
I remember walking through Bellagio past Picasso some years ago and have wanted to eat there ever since. Being an art history buff, the idea of being surrounded by $90 million worth of Pablo Picasso paintings and ceramics from Steve Wynn’s personal collection seemed like heaven to me. Not to mention, perfect views of the Bellagio fountains.
Food
There are 2 menus to choose from: the Chef’s Menu (5 courses for $138 USD) and the Prix Fixe Menu (4 courses for $128 USD). It was a tough decision to make since there were elements that I liked from each menu. In the end, I chose oysters over foie gras. Tough call, right? The wine list was as thick as a small telephone book – a hefty 3-ringed binder was literally handed to us. The sommelier assisted us with choosing a Spanish wine from the Bierzo region.
The amuse bouche was a potato leek soup with croquette. The bread basket selection included baguette, bacon loaf, and olive bread.
Chef’s Menu
The Chef’s Menu began with Maine Lobster Salad with Apple-Champage Vinaigrette. Next, the Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat Scallop had a whimsical presentation on top of a potato mousseline. In the next course, the sweetness of the Fig Puree and Sherry Poached Fig accented the Sauteed Foie Gras – seared so delicately that the foie gras melted on your tongue. The main was a Roasted Tournedo Loin of Colorado Lamb with Pisto, Mint Aioli and Tempura Zucchini Flower. I’m not a fan of lamb but when cooked with pisto (a Spanish dish of tomatoes, onions, eggplant, peppers and olive oil) it played down the gamey flavour.
Prix Fixe Menu
The Prix Fixe Menu began with Poached Oysters with Osetra Caviar and Vermouth. The lightness of this dish only left me wanting more. The Sauteed Shrimp with Crispy Artichoke and Tomato Confit portion size was disappointingly small. The 3 shrimp disappeared on the bed of zucchini. The alternative to the sauteed shrimp was the Big Eye Tuna Tartare with Mashed Avocado – this was the server’s recommendation. The execution was fantastic and it reminded me of Hawaiian poke. It would have been complimented well with some crostini. For the main, the Braised Idaho Wagyu Short Rib was a winner. Short rib has the potential to be overly greasy, but this short rib was wrapped in zucchini yielding tender goodness in each bite. One missing component to the dish, though, was an element of starch.
Dessert is ordered from a separate menu. We tried the Pineapple Tart, Blueberry Panna Cotta and Poached Pear. In addition to that, we got a little platter of mignardises that included a truffle, mint meringue and lime tart. All of the desserts were fantastic.
The Other Stuff
Did I mention that you eat amongst $90 million worth of Picasso’s?! As expected, I was the only one from our group who walked around the entire restaurant to admire each work of art! Our server then joined me to explain the stylistic highlights of each piece – he didn’t know of my art background! I would like to revisit the restaurant during daytime hours to see how the ambience and paintings change in day light.
I love Vegas for its eclectic mix of people and the mix of patrons at Picasso was no different. There were tables of hot dates, families, a small wedding reception, and us!
The restaurant was super busy on a Saturday night, as expected. However, even those with reservations were required to wait in the lounge area. Although our service team was attentive and always around, we got the sense that they were rushing.
Be sure to look up as you walk into the restaurant: the ceiling is decorated with empty clay vessels. On the way out, each guest will receive a souvenir of 2 mini banana muffins in a beautiful Picasso box.
Picasso
Ratings: 2-Michelin Stars (2009), AAA 5-Diamond, James Beard Foundation Restaurant Award
Location: Bellagio Hotel, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South, Nevada, USA
Planning Tip: Shorts, and sports apparel are not permitted
Dinner for 3 with wine: $600 USD
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