If you want to have a dinner you’ll never forget, (and your wallet won’t either), take your date to the Picasso at Bellagio. This restaurant takes its name from the numerous original Picassos hanging on the wall. I have had the pleasure of dining here twice. The first time was about 4 years ago and at the time it was the most I had ever spent on dinner. It was $450 for the two of us. My husband and I chose the degustation menu, where the entrees are pre-selected and simply brought out in turn. This is listed as $115 per person on the website. We also chose the wine accompaniment, where a perfect glass of wine paired up with each course. I learned that a scallop can indeed taste like a filet mignon. That meal was superb. The service was exceptional and the environment made me feel like a celebrity. In fact, you can see Julia Roberts, George Clooney, and Andy Garcia in a dinner scene from Ocean’s 11.

Again last Thanksgiving, in 2006, my husband and I decided to eat at Picasso again. This time we chose to sit outside on the patio, which has a fantastic view of the awesome Bellagio fountains. You actually sit “behind” the fountains, since you are in the building rather than on the strip looking at them. This makes for an almost private viewing feel. The restaurant also had some patio heaters set up outside to take the chill out of the air. Their Thanksgiving Day menu did not include the traditional turkey. I chose lobster, as a $40 upgrade, my husband chose the Kobe beef filet mignon for a $120 upgrade. (If you don’t know what Kobe beef is, it’s an excellent grade of beef imported from Japan. The cows are feed beer and given massages daily to keep the meat tender and delicious.) This was on top of the fixed price, which was something like $180 per person already. (hey, I said it wasn’t cheap). We also had wine accompaniments with this meal, which if you like wine, is definitely worth it. The sommelier (wine steward) and chef (Julian Serrano) really know how to enhance the meal with the perfect beverage. We actually came across a terrific 1961 Pedro Ximenez dessert wine that since then, my husband has been on a mission to get more of. The total bill for that meal, with tip, was approx $900. You wouldn’t have to spend that much to have a great meal, after all this was Thanksgiving, which was a special, more expensive menu.
I have eaten at many great restaurants in Las Vegas, and this is definitely at the top of my list. If you have something to celebrate, or you simply want to have a fantastic meal, check out the Picasso. For a perfect evening, go to “O” at the Bellagio afterwards. See my article on “O” (not Eau).
There is a dress code. Men should be in a blazer, women should be in skirts or very nice dress pants. Reservations are required.

One of my favorite places to eat while in Vegas is Mon Ami Gabi (impress your friends –My Friend Gabi), in the Paris hotel. It is on the ground level, just across from the Bellagio fountains, though the view is obscured by trees and pedestrians. So don’t even bother sitting outside unless it’s really nice weather. I found the patio to be cramped and the chairs are not very comfortable. Inside is quite nice. It has some of the highest ceilings I’ve ever seen in a restaurant.

I always order the escargots “them’s snails!.” I love to dip the awesome, warm, french bread into the butter sauce that comes with them. If you’re on a date, make sure you both eat them, or one of you will smell like garlic (not very romantic). My husband really likes the Sea Scallops Gratinées. The steaks here are also fabulous. You can choose between different toppings for them such as Béarnaise sauce, tarragon shallot butter, bleu cheese sauce, Dijon mustard butter, merlot butter, or the other scrumptious toppings that can clog your arteries. The steaks also come with slivered ribbons of french fries. If artery clogging is actually is a concern for you, try the salads. Last time I went I ordered the Grilled Ahi Tuna (Nicoise) salad, and it was very good. Be aware, it is not cooked through, but quickly broiled, then sliced, so the inside is raw. My friends have also told me, that the Tomato soup and Lobster bisque are excellent. If fish is your thing, the Trout Grenobloise is quite tasty as well. Honestly, I’ve never had a bad meal, nor poor service. I usually do not make it to dessert, since I get my appetizer and a huge meal, but the dessert menu looks wonderful, so try to make it if you can. I’ve had the bananas foster crepe… mmm tasty. The wine list is quite extensive as well, which is fairly common for many Vegas restaurants. Dinner will probably cost anywhere from about $25 – $70 per person depending on your extravagance and tip.
This is a small chain, and there are 4 locations for this restaurant; two in Illinois, one in Maryland, and the one in Las Vegas.
Be sure to make a reservation if you are going, especially after 6:30pm. I learned this the hard way. http://www.monamigabi.com/
It seems like almost every trip, I end up here. I should just get the frequent diner card. Then I could use it at all of the restaurants that are managed by the Lettuce Entertain You group. http://www.leye.com/restaurants/restaurants_index.htm