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| - When my boyfriend asked me if I liked French, I immediately assumed we'd be dining at Bouchon. But then he mentioned a spectacular view and I remembered the actual Eiffel Tower in Paris has a restaurant in the middle of it.
It's quite a walk (especially in stilettos!) from the parking lot past the buffet and through the Paris casino to the elevator which will take you up to the restaurant.
We arrived uncharacteristically late (8:30 for our 8:15 reservation). Because we specifically wanted a window seat (which I HIGHLY recommend), we ended up waiting over an hour. Around 9:45, the hostess let us know that 7 tables had signed their checks and they were just waiting for them to leave.
First up, the gazpacho amuse bouche was flavorful and refreshing. Oddly, someone walks around with bread (which I suppose is a good thing if you don't want to fill up on it). I preferred the baguette to the multi-grain. We also ordered two glasses of cabernet based on our waiter, Tom's, suggestion.
We started with a summer salad with shaved vegetables and corn soup. I felt the salad was overdressed and yes, there were literally paper thin slices of vegetables. They brought over my soup bowl and poured the liquid contents into the bowl tableside. Fancy. It was supposed to have manila clams but I couldn't really taste it although I am always happy to be served bacon.
For entrees, the boyfriend ordered steak and bone marrow while I had the rack of lamb, cooked medium. Both were succulent and perfectly cooked and definitely worth the wait. The staff apologized for the long wait. Since the kitchen was slammed, our entrees didn't come out until nearly 10:30.
We ended the meal with a Grand Marnier souffle (they have 6 kinds), which you have to order at the beginning of the meal. Afterwards, they brought out petite fours. Yum.
Although the soup and salad were forgettable, the entrees were amazing and perfectly cooked. What was most impressive was the view. We were seated by the window where it directly faces the Bellagio water show. Easily the best seat in the house. Saw quite a few brides (2-3) at this super romantic venue. Highly recommended.
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