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| - Picasso is the first restaurant I've ever eaten at with 2 Michelin stars, and one can tell very early on that the level of service, sophistication and elegance is at the high end. Although not necessarily hidden, Picasso is also not as front-and-center as some high-end Vegas eateries. Although located in the beautiful (some might say ostentatious) Bellagio, you have to descend to the property's lower level to access Picasso. Once inside, you are welcomed with a simple elegance only a restaurant of this stature could manage. Seated, your eyes cannot help but be drawn to the *actual* Picasso paintings adoring nearly every wall. One would be hard pressed to find a museum in North America with as many of the Master's creations. Anyway, you must draw your attention from the paintings and look at the leather bound menu in front of you. There are two options: 3 course prix fixe or 5 course tasting menu. Since I'm not a trust fund baby or a venture capitalist, I opted for the 3 course meal. Perfectly cooked fois gras and medallions of Fallow deer (otherwise known as venison) were the highlights. Service was exceptionally professional and efficient, but also friendly and helpful.
Consistent with the European-centric cuisine, the enormous wine list is heavy on French and Italian wines, although the usual suspects from Napa are well represented.
Picasso is a quiet sanctuary from the craziness that Vegas can be. While the ante for culinary supremacy in Vegas may have been raised by Joel Robuchon's utterly exorbitant outpost at the MGM Grand, Picasso is still among the top restaurants in the country and well worth your time and significant expendable income.
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