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| - LAVO has become our go-to place for bouncing back from serious caloric deficiencies after a weekend of rowdy Vegas partying. The portion sizes here are gargantuan, and so too are the flavors; surprisingly, the prices aren't necessarily so, especially if you're smart about what you order:
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I'm not too sure as to why LAVO seems to take heat from some for the quality of its food preparation; everything that we've had from here has been nothing short of delightful & delicious.
+ If your server doesn't offer you a basket of complimentary garlic bread, be sure to request it. LAVO's take on the textbook Italian dinner bread has a distinct buttery taste & satisfying initial crunch. The marinara spread offered alongside the bread was also a winner...I'm not ashamed to admit that I shoveled spoonfuls of the sauce into my mouth when no one was looking.
+ We've sampled a handful of LAVO's appetizers in the past, including the delicious Calamari served with spicy marinara. The portion size of this starter is certainly enough to feed 3, possibly 4; it's a whole lot to split among 2 (you're pretty much guaranteed leftovers if you try!). The calamari themselves are crisp, meaty, and tender - some of the best that I've had.
+ LAVO makes a damn tasty wedge salad. The restaurant's take on the classic is much heartier than what I'm used to; big chunks of meaty pancetta are used in place of bacon crumbs, and the creamy bleu cheese & gorgonzola do a great job of offsetting the bold savory flavors of the various entrees. Much like the Calamari, the Wedge is practically an entree all on its own, so come hungry!
+ My GF insists that the Eggs Benedict at LAVO (served during brunch hours only) was one of the best that she's ever tried. I sampled a few bites and was also quite impressed at the perfectly cooked eggs & expertly flavored hollandaise. We weren't big fans of the accompanying side salad, however...the whole mix had a strong, overpowering onion flavor that rendered it practically inedible.
+ Don't miss out on the signature Wagyu Meatball; it's as filling as it is fork-tender. I recommend pairing the Meatball with the complimentary table bread, and slathering the bread slices with big bites of Wagyu beef & rich ricotta. Well worth every penny!
+ I'm pretty confident that a party of 2 can order up an appetizer & two entrees and still get away with having some leftovers to take home. This can really play to your advantage if you order in moderation - for instance, our Wedge Salad, Eggs Benedict, & Kobe Meatball came out to about $65 during our last visit...not too shabby.
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+ You'll immediately notice how pretty the dining area is upon stepping in. It has an upscale, yet inviting vibe that matches well with the overall decor of the Venetian resort. The high ceilings, plush seats, and ornate fixtures set the stage in a classy way that doesn't spill into being over-the-top.
+ LAVO is home to what I consider to be the coolest restroom sinks in all of Vegas. The foot-operated pump mechanism isn't the most 21st century setup that I've seen, but it's quite fun to operate and makes for a hilarious photo/video op.
+ Service was attentive, if a little bit scripted. Everyone was polite, but in a forced, by-the-book sort of way (i.e. "Pardon my reach"). Loosen up, guys! That said, I did appreciate how the waiters promptly switched the channel on the bar TV to air the NBA playoffs per my request. (Evidently, many other male diners appreciated this request - though their wives/GFs didn't look too happy to see them glued to the screen!)
- I do have to dock a star for the lack of men's room upkeep/cleanliness that I witnessed during my last visit. Paper towels & toilet paper were out-of-stock, and there were tissues scattered all over the floors of the stalls. I was surprised to see that there was no restroom attendant - it looked as though the bathroom hadn't been checked up on for quite a while. Not impressed with this, especially considering the premium sort of vibe that LAVO tries to maintain.
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PRO TIP:
LAVO offers a free tray of Oreo Zeppoles + Malted Vanilla Milkshake with any Yelp check-in! Don't miss out!!
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