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| - If you love eating fine cuisine, but cannot quite afford Le Cirque, eating at Circo will provide you with an excellent culinary experience without going too far beyond your budget.
During my recent weeklong trip to Las Vegas, I dined at Circo twice. My first experience was with a group of co-workers with whom I was attending a conference. We were seated at a table by a window, which provided us with a fantastic view of Bellagio's fountain show. Our friendly server asked us if we would like to try Circo's caprese martini. Yes, I said caprese: the tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad drizzled in olive oil and sometimes balsamic vinegar that you will find at most quality Italian restaurants. Out of our party of six, three of us were brave enough to try this unusual sounding martini. Our willingness for adventure paid off. The caprese martini was sensational.
The bartender started by putting basil at the bottom of a martini shaker and crushed it in the same way you would crush mint in a mojito. Then heirloom tomato infused vodka, white balsamic vinegar, and ice is added to the shaker. The martini glass is sprinkled with a dusting of black pepper before the martini is poured into the glass. Finally, the garnish consists of the classic toothpick adorned with fresh mozzarella wrapped in a basil leaf. The result is a slightly tangy, surprisingly refreshing martini that allows you to "drink your appetizer," as the bartender put it.
Obviously, my intention is to focus on the outstanding martini. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention the food. I had the potato wrapped salmon, which was phenomenal.
When my husband arrived in Vegas to meet me a few days later, I was compelled to take him to Circo to try the caprese martini. He enjoyed the drink and the ambience so much that we decided to stay for dinner. We ended up eating our delicious rack of lamb right at the bar. It was a delightful evening. I even had the opportunity to watch the bartender make my martini. My own decanter of heirloom tomatoes and vodka is currently resting on the countertop of my kitchen. I just have to try to recreate my experience! If that isn't a sign of a great restaurant, I don't know what is.
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