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Tue-Sun. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Simply. Amazing.
Le Cirque is one of those culinary institutions with a well-deserved reputation for outstanding food and service. I've wanted to try the flagship in Manhattan... but when I saw the reviews for the Vegas location, I decided to give it a try.
Located inside the posh & glamorous Bellagio hotel, the dining room at Le Cirque overlooks the famous fountain show. Every fifteen minutes, the fountains come to life through the windows (set to the low-level ambient music of the restaurant instead of tunes you'd be hearing outside). The decor is circus-themed but very tasteful and subtle. No scary grinning clowns on the walls. The tableware features cute little monkeys. Even though I had no reservation, they took my name and seated me in the lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail... and then called me by name for the evening. Very personal touch. The staff were friendly and humorous, and it was easy to talk to them and ask questions during the meal.
I ordered the Degustation Menu, which was an exercise in dining etiquette. I took a course several years ago about using the proper silverware during formal meals, but these dishes presented me with a number of challenges with silverware I've never even seen before. Fortunately, the staff didn't comment when I used my salad fork to eat the oyster course. Oops. The courses were each exquisite in appearance and taste. I started with the tiniest oyster and a dollop of caviar, which was creamy and delicious. The opening lobster salad "Le Cirque" was a well-matched jumble of flavors, piled high in a cucumber shell. The sauteed foie gras was perfectly cooked and seasoned - I've had foie that's over-salted, but this was amazing and the "verjus" sauce was rich and bold with unfamiliar but delicious flavor. The paired pinot gris was so perfect and sweet that I asked the sommelier to give me the name of it - I will be looking for this wine as a staple at home. Mmmm.
The paupiette of sea bass was really the dish I was most looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. This signature dish was just simply divine. Sitting in Le Cirque, watching the fountains, sipping the same pinot noir that had been reduced to make the sauce... I just wanted to close my eyes and revel in this moment. Heaven! The next course was yuzu-glazed duck, and it was probably my least favorite dish of the menu - but it was still excellent. This was a dish more traditional in flavor and tone. Duck with citrus is tried and true, not very exciting, but this was well-executed. At this point I was quite full (and also quite drunk from the wine pairing), and both anticipating and dreading the arrival of dessert.
The meal ended with pre-dessert (blood orange gelee and foam surrounding a rich pannacotta) and then a huge assortment of desserts. I can see why they'd call this "dessert fantasy" - there were handmade petit fours, a gorgeous souffle with a strawberry cream sauce, and a spoon of tangy and perfect sorbet. I tasted almost everything but didn't make it very far into the course before I was too full to consider another bite. This made me sad - I wanted to finish it all! But the waiter brought me a copy of the menu (so I could know the name of that fabulous pinot gris) and a cute little box with truffles inside.
Everything was perfect. The atmosphere, the staff, the service, the food, everything. Given the price, I wouldn't want any disappointments. The full tasting menu is $125... the standard wine pairing is $65... the signature champagne framboise appertif is $22... and the hot tea I requested with dessert is $4.50. This is, by far, the most expensive meal I've ever eaten. But I think it was worth every bite. The experience filled two hours and I stumbled away into the night, happily sated in both body and soul.
Great experience. Wonderful food. Incredible view. We had the tasting menu which is sort of Le Cirque's Greatest Hits.
Oyster Amuse Bouche
Lobster Salad.
Sauteed Foie Gras.
Paupiette of Sea Bass
Lamb Tenderloin
Pre-Dessert
Each a different dessert: one a Strawberry Souffle with strawberry creme anglaise, the other a scoop of ice cream inside a chocolate sphere with chocolate sauce poured over it at the table.
Schramsberg Sparkling Wine and Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cab.
The service was excellent. The sommelier was a bit overconfident. I would like to give Le Cirque 5 stars but the piece of lamb I had was about 20% fat. 5 star meal otherwise. Old school dishes done for modern sensibilities.
4.5 stars.
After watching the documentary about the building and opening of Le Cirque L.Vegas, I really wanted to go check it out for myself the work of Sirio Maccioni. Just like what I saw on tv, the restaurant was vibrantly and colorfully decorated and I was taking it all in.
We went for dinner at 7:30pm and advised the staff that we had a cirque du soleil show at 10:30pm. They told us delightedly that it will not be a problem, and that they have done the tasting menu for someone in 45 mins before!!
We were seated a little away from the window but still had the view out the window for the Fountain Show. All the wait staff were nice and efficient. We had the tasting menu. Everything tasted as wonderful as they looked, from the oyster on half shell amuse bouche to the sauteed foie gras, to the seafood and the red meat courses. All the portion were appropriate.
They even had a surprise b-day trio dessert plated for me!! Very yummie!! We were done with dinner by 9- 9:30pm. Overall, I have no complains about the food at Le Cirque, they were all well cooked and great tasting. I guess the little minor detail was the service could be worked on, not that they weren't good but I didn't get the down to earth genuine feel...
Don't go here looking for a hot and hip crowd. This French sister restaurant of the one in NYC is located in the Bellagio hotel and although the service is impeccable, the patrons are not here to get wasted and look for Vegas style orgies. The décor is elegant, yet still manages to keep its circus theme. The ceiling is a multicolored fabric tent, the seats are plush red and orange, and the walls have circus scenes. I tried the $68 pre-show set menu and it was just one amazing dish after another. The one that really stood out for me was the truffled risotto. It was a melt in your mouth, burst of flavors feeling. The lobster bisque was so decadent and filling. The beef tenderloin was yummy yummy yummy. BUT none of the desserts were worth writing about. I got 5 of them and they were all mediocre.
This is the most expensive restaurant I've been to so far and I am not really sure if I am expecting too much or too little....my ideal rating for this place would be 3 1/2 stars but I'll round up because they had some "surprise elements" (more on this on the bottom) that I wasn't expecting and it was a good touch.
- 1 star for the super slow and unattentive service that almost made us miss our 9:30pm show and we started eating at 6:30! I had to flag them down so many times. I had even told them I had a 9:30 show in the beginning and the waiter assured us that we will make it.
All dishes but 1 was perfect for us (this is what i had wanted to take off the 1/2 star for). My fiancee had ordered escargot for appetizers and it was SO buttery and salty. You couldn't taste much aside from the butter. The portion was generous...but he couldn't finish eating it because it was so salty and buttery.
Everything else was perfectly delightful but the highlights -
Lobster Salad Black Truffle Dressing - Generous portions of lobster, flavorful but light dressing, delicious and so beautifully presented.
Beef Tenderloin, Sautéed Foie Gras, Smoked Serrano Potato Croquette, Sweet Onion Compote Supp. - The foie gras was perfectly cooked with a thin crunchy layer and a very generous portion. A very good "first time" with foie gras. My steak is cooked to a perfect medium rare....drooling as I speak...
Napoleon of Melon, Chilled Midori Melon Soup - This is incredibly refreshing! I loved the cantaloupe sorbet atop watermelon. It was both visually pleasing and awesome way to finish up dinner.
The "surprise elements" that I mentioned earlier were that we got to do some sampling of some of the chef's new dishes and got a tray of Petite Fours after our dessert and finally a darling little jewelry box with 2 drawers- containing one delicious chocolate truffle in each drawer. A perfect way to end a dinner...if you didn't have to catch a show.
Since the food in Vegas is marked up a gazillion percent, we decided that one nice meal out was all we could afford while in town. Le Cirque in the Bellagio was a wise choice. It was a perfect blend of fine dining and fun.
I started with the lobster salad which was phe-nom. We were told that people come here from all over JUST for this salad and I could see why. The beef tip that I ordered was good but a little dry... I had mistakenly approved medium well thinking that he had said medium, so that was probably more my fault than anything else. The best part of the meal was the dessert. I am a chocolate lava cake connoisseur and I have to say that the one I had here was the best I've had yet, even surpassing Shadowbrook's in Capitola (which is very hard to do)!
I will also note that I tried my friends truffle risotto, wow....if I had to do it over again I might have passed up the lobster salad and gone for this dish. It seemed almost impossible for something to taste so damn good.
The decor is festive and fun with a colorful circus theme. The service was impeccable and well timed the way it should be. My only complaint was that the server pulled out all the stops to sell this seasonal champagne cocktail that didn't do much for me; it tasted like any other effervescent drink and since he raved about it I expected greatness.
If you're in Vegas and have some money to spend on a nice dinner, this is a great choice.
This was my first intense fine dining experience ever and I will never forget it.
Walking in, it was like they were just waiting for us to show up. The staff greeted us immediately and took us to our table right away. I noticed that we were one of four tables that were in there at the time (the place filled up once we left) and I loved that. I always like being the only person in the room.
I started off with the lobster risotto. I'm not a fan of lobster at all, but the meat was cooked just right, wasn't too fishy and went beautifully with the peas and the rice. For my main course I had the duck served with pears and pickled radishes and hazelnuts. The flavors were wonderful and the savoriness of the duck paired amazingly with the pears, radishes, and hazelnuts. For dessert I ordered a chocolate ball with ice cream...I didn't really know what it was, but it sounded good, I ordered it and they brought over a big chocolate ball on a plate; they then poured hot melted chocolate over it, the ball melted away and all that was left was my scoop of ice cream underneath!!!! AMAZING!!!
I also enjoyed my french martini that was topped off with Veuvet at the table and the fact that we had multiple servers all night. The price for two people = $300. Not too bad considering all the food and drink we had. This experience has yet to be topped by any other restaurant I have been to and I cannot wait to have the money to go here again because it really is worth every penny.
Oh, AND when you leave you get to take home this pretty little yellow box with chocolate truffles in it. What a treat!
An upfront warning - these events happened a few years ago. This isn't meant to be a current review, but an overview of the class and integrity of the restaurant and its management.
As gourmands, my wife and I enjoy Las Vegas for it's abundance of high quality restaurants. The couple we were with are of the same mind, so we visited Le Cirque with high expectations. The decor (circus tent ala Donald Trump), service and food were all that we had hoped for - until my wife noticed her entree wasn't what she ordered.
She had ordered the Sonoma Lamb; when it came, it looked suspiciously like veal. My wife doesn't eat veal, so we call the waiter over for confirmation. Sure enough, they had run out of lamb and the chef had substituted (without asking) the veal. Our waiter said this was SOP for the restaurant - the chef decided what to serve if your order wasn't available.
Naturally my wife was irritated, and sent back the entree for another lamb order. The rest of us had finished our dinners before hers came back - and it was the sorriest piece of meat I've seen served this side of Denny's. Since I had initially encouraged her to accept the veal, this became my fault and the evening was ruined. We ended up paying the bill (a small fortune) and leaving no tip for the waiter.
When we got home I wrote letters of complaint to the Bellagio, Le Cirque Las Vegas, and the original Le Cirque in New York. Imagine my surprise when I received a response from all three. New York's response came first, and offered a free lunch whenever we were in town. Then Las Vegas' letter came in the mail, offering a complimentary dinner the next time we visited.
It was a few months later, but we returned to the Bellagio and took them up on the offer. My wife got her Sonoma Lamb, I got a Staglin Cellars cab (which I expected to pay for), and we got the dining experience we had hoped for the first time - all comped. The icing on the cake was that our waiter from the first time was standing in the corner - we called him over and gave him the tip he deserved from the first meal.
A long after the fact review, but I hope it encourages you to visit an establishment that stands behind its reputation.
We had reservations at 5:30 but were running late as usual so I called them up and asked for it to be changed to 6:30, no problem, but she couldn't secure the window seating for us any longer, not their fault. We arrived a few minutes early and was told to have a seat while they prepare our table. Within minutes we were whisked away to a corner booth. Not the window seats I desired but it would do. I don't understand why they cover up the large windows with panels when the fountains are right in front of them. All 3 of us had the 3 course menu for $98 per person, it comes with an appetizer, main course and dessert. We were still really full from our late lunch. I had the lobster salad, the beef tenderloin with foie gras and the chocolate sphere for desert. The other two with me had the truffle and lobster risotto, seared foie gras, venison, creme brule and crepes. Every single dish was wonderful. My lobster salad surprised me with huge chunks of lobster, they don't skimp out on it here! My beef tenderloin was the most tender beef I have ever had, it melted in my mouth and the foie gras was fatty wonderful goodness. The other two were enjoying their venison until they had a taste of my beef. They didn't want to go back to their plate! I barely put a dent in my food so they packed it up for me and I enjoyed some of it at 3 am. I wish I was hungry enough to eat it all, such a waste of delicous...and expensive food. The bacon bread is also my favorite! My dessert came out as this chocolate ball and than the server poured hot chocolate on it melting the top and exposing all the lusciousness laying inside, very good! The creme brule and crepes were also fantastic. The portions here are fairly large for this type of place. The servers are also very very nice and attentive and not stuck up at all. We will definitely be coming back for round 2, 3, 4....!!!
Apparently...it's happened again...my alter ego was on the run this weekend...from the local Mental Institution.
Because It paid $150 Bucks...for Asparagus as an appetizer, Beef Tenderloin as an entree & Vanilla/Strawberry streusel for dessert. WTF!?
Not to worry, the meds have been taken...and reality is in the near future.
Wait. Now it's telling me to tell you...that the service was exceptional, decor was brillant and festive and it was well worth every dime spent.
Okay...I guess there's nothing left for "me" to say.
The service at this restaurant is awesome. They're friendly, helpful, and so attentive. We had a table that wasn't too far from the windows so I could see the fountains outside while waiting for our food. The decor is romantic and vibrant. My dinner was excellent and they serve each item on these cute plates with monkeys painted on them. I enjoyed the pork belly appetizer, filet mignon topped with foie gras, and a classic creme brulee. Husband had the lobster salad, savory and tender canard, and a light and flavorful souffle. We had a fantastic time and left with a little chocolate truffles in a beautiful box and petit fours packed to go since we were oh so stuffed.
The food and service, impeccable. The decor scared me, the view of Bellagio's water was relaxing.
Went here for drinks and got dessert as well. Both were great. I love it because it is set aside from the casino (you have to go through 2 doors), so you feel like you are in an actual restaurant. Service is amazing. We chatted with the manager, Ivo, who was very accomodating and friendly. Highly recommended.
A++++
ladies and gentlemen welcome to five start French dining. Though gambling might be safer for your money, but here it ends with a happy note. Starting with my wife's favorite Mojito drink, to their deliciously prepared fillet mignon topped with foie gras (liver of a duck or goose specially fattened), to their elegantly prepared desserts. The design is of a circus and it is colorful and delightful. But please do not act like a circus monkey. The place is top notch.
My dinner experience at Le Cirque was one of those that was so good I'll remember it for years.
The food: They have a tasting menu and an ala carte menu. We did the ala carte menu. However, they provided a small appetizer which was a butternut squash soup with mini marshmallows. It was soooooooo good. If it was a regular menu item, I would've ordered a gallon of it.
For the main course, I had the Coeur de Filet de Boeuf which was to die for. The portion was not to big and the foie gras that came on the side was excellent.
For dessert, they gave each table a cute tray with assorted petite fours. I tried one or two of them and they were excellent. My boyfriend had the chocolate souffle which was perfect, the level of sweetness was just right. I had the creme brulee which was perfect, it came with a small scoop of lemon gelato that was topped with edible gold... yes, that's right, edible gold. Finally, they do give each table a really cool gift box that has two delicious truffles.
The food was excellent and you could tell they put a lot of thought into their dishes.
Service: Truly amazing. I was a little worried that my boyfriend and I were going to deal with condescending waiters who would label us as young kids who had no business in being in a frou frou restaurant. This was not the case at all. Everyone was polite and courteous and we got the same level of service that the other customers got. Every staff member knew where they had to be and you could see how everything worked like clockwork.
Ambiance: Its a small restaurant which for me, made me feel special. It's circus themed with the ceiling looking like a tent top. Paintings are of circus scenes. My favorite thing though were the dishes. They were monkey themed and I am the hugest monkey fan. The restaurant has a view of the Bellagio fountains.
After my experience, I understand why this restaurant is a 5 star award winner. While the prices may scare you away, I say its worth going and checking out. It will definitely be one of your most memorable meals.
stopped in before watching "O" to grab some appetizers and cocktails. very mixed feelings about this place. on one hand the service is impeccable. our waiter and bartender were beyond polite. the food however was just not that great. we had the lobster salad and the pork belly. lobster salad was meh. tiny morsel of lobster. really, really tiny. the pork belly was kind of jerky-ish. i mean, it's not hard to make tender pork belly. we got a free amouse buche of cucumber chilled yogurt soup that was probably the best part. then came the bill. for 3 drinks and 2 appetizers we paid 160 bucks. yikes! totally not worth it. we went to craftsteak the next night and were blown away. i feel kinda bad flaming them cuz they were soooo nice, but the food was not that great.
Made sense why I was so wishy washy on my last review:
I was seated facing a circus-themed WALL.
I wasn't even aware that Le Cirque faced the famed fountains. Definitely enhances the dining experience.
Standouts:
*Oyster & Caviar shooter
*Lobster Salad
*Foie Gras w/Asian Pear & Raspberries
*Desserts, esp the Strawberry Souffle
Food did not and still does not knock my socks off. I would place Le Cirque in my 2nd tier of fancy schmancy LV restos. 1st tier only reserved to the greatness of Joel Robuchon, Nobu and Alex.
Super cute GIFT: a little red box w/Le Cirque emblazoned on the exterior, two secret drawers and TWO velvety truffles.
Hmm...interesting. As you walk in you can't figure out how this is supposed to be a classy French… Read more »
Arriving in Vegas earlier in the day, I'd been awake for nearly 20 hours when I stepped into the Bellagio for my 7:30 reservation. Tired but excited I walked in and mentioned I had a reservation for one to which the beautiful attendant stated "Ah yes, Dr. U, we've been expecting you." At this point I was handed off to a team of fantastic servers who showed me to my window-side 4-top and the extravagance began. I'll get my complaints out of the way early....there was a spot on the tablecloth approximately the size of match-head...no more complaints. Perfect service, flawless timing, full descriptions, elaborate presentations, the gorgeous interior and fountain show outdoors....and a customized tasting menu as follows:
Amuse Bouche: Komomoto Oyster w/ American Caviar - I'm not an oyster guy, nor a Caviar guy, but the presentation was gorgeous and the flavors far more subdued than past tastes. While I cannot say I'll ever appreciate these two items as much as other haute-cuisine, I can definitely say I'll look forward to my next unexpected encounter.
Bread Basket: Pretzel, Walnut Olive, French Baguette w/ salted and unsalted butter. The Baguette was crunchy and perfect for soaking up sauces, the pretzel crispy and salty outside and buttery soft inside, and the olive walnut simply sublime. Better Pretzel than Mastros or Yankee Stadium, Better olive than Gramercy Tavern. Runner up to Spago for best basket all time. Better yet - After the first three courses I'd eaten one piece of each and went to grab another piece of Baguette for sauces when the waiter whisked it away and replaced it with a piping hot fresh basket stating "it isn't as good when it cools."
Course One: Lobster Salad w/ avocado, frisee, hericot vert, black truffle - A Le Cirque classic and for very good reason. Beautifully poached lobster over a puree of avocado and hericot verts, a layer or frisse, and a drizzle of black truffle dressing topped with a shaved black truffle. Delicious as it was decadent, a beautiful way to start. (note: the truffle was fresh and quite good, but certainly more for effect than taste....like plastic surgery on a super model....it was already great, but here is that extra unnecessary touch.)
Course two: Sauteed Foie Gras w/ microgreens, petite chestnuts, white peach, blackberry, cranberry - Sublime. Fatty and flawless inside, just slightly crisp outside. Served warm and sweet with a brilliant contrast against the tart berries, crispy peach, and crunchy nuts with the microgreens added for texture. While not quite as innovative as the version at EMP, better in flavor.
Course three: Crispy Sweet Breads w/ Fig and grape marmalade, veal reduction, butter basil foam, asparagus/heirloom tomato/mushroom salad - A substitution for the seasonal risotto and absolutely worth the decision. A single sweetbread panflashed and crisp served beneath an airy butter and basil foam over a flavorful salad the dish was further enhanced by the addition of two smears of fig jelly that provided a sweet component to the already incredibly savory dish. The veal reduction was poured in a small ring around the dish tableside and was my first experience with what the sous-chef could really do...until dishes four and five.
Course four: Paupiette of Sea Bass with Pinot Noir sauce, crispy potato skin, microgreens and shredded savoy cabbage - Another Le Cirque classic and another winner in every way. Perfectly poached bass with a crispy paper-thin skin served over a crispy salad and covered with a sauce that can only be described as heavenly. Sweet and winelike yet bold and buttery, refined yet complex....more bread, please.
Course five: Organic chicken w/ Foie gras macaroni, truffle, asparagus, tomato compote - My second substitution as I don't favor beef and a second wonderful choice. Clean and tasty chicken with thin shavings of black tuffle beneath the crispy skin served over a layer of long handmade macaroni and a transcendent sauce of mushroom puree and foie gras. Wonderfully crisp asparagus and a beautifully complex grilled tomato compote lent additional flavors to the dish, as well.
Palate Cleanser: Tequila Sorbet with gold leaf, dragon fruit, dinosaur plum, coconut milk, and edible bowl - More pineapple than tequila, this sorbet was divine and a mere sign of things to come. The fruit compote was delectable and the coconut milk wonderful for offsetting the citrus. I'd like to say I knew the bowl was edible, but initially when I broke it I was worried....I think this was expected as my server then stepped in to suggest I "try a bite." The gold leaf....we'll chalk that up to extravagance, it had no flavor.
See profile site for full review with formatted pics.
Who spends $150 on just 3 drinks, 1 dessert and 1 cheese plate? That would be me. Had the Freddy drink special, champage with rasberry puree (a crazy 22 each!) this praline mousse thing that comes in a ball and you pour chocolate and it melts and its all goodness inside. And an excellent cheese plate with creative pairings (olive/plum tapanade, ginger spiced something or other). Service is nice. I don't gamble in Vegas, I only eat. I will definitely come here next time for a full meal.
Romantic and full of happy people. Outstanding food and service. You feel like you are in the center ring. Better for sure than the old NY Le Cirque-cant compare it to the new one. Comparisons are odious anyway. You will not be disappointed except when you pony up a car payment for dinner.
Interior: 9/10, Food: 8/10, Service: 9/10.
Great dining experience.
Interior is very interesting. I came with a large party, so we didn't get a window seat. Would have been spectacular if we had a better view.
Food was very ornate. May have looked better than it tasted, but it was still delicious.
We wish we could recall everyone's name. Daniel was our main "assistant" - we've decided to call him this because saying he was our "waiter" doesn't do him or his skills justice. He was utterly professional, personable, pleasant, not over-solicitous, and was terribly impressive. The Sommelier was personable, appropriately humorous, informative and very helpful. Everyone was wonderful. The food was not only beautifully and creatively presented but it was just amazing. If we didn't like something not an eye was batted; off it went to be changed. The desserts were outstanding, clever, and generous (as were all the servings). Overall, the best dining experience we've had anywhere, but particularly in Las Vegas. As for price: on average this is a $200-$300 meal for 2. This isn't something we can do everyday mind you, but it was so worth it! If you want an amazing meal with THE best service you will EVER have, you need to make a reservation here.We were THRILLED to pay what we did for the gourmet delicacies and service we received at Le Cirque, and cannot stress enough how well worth a evening here is - this is not a "meal", it is an event. You simply cannot go wrong with anything on this menu from start to finish, or with any of the staff. Brilliant! We cannot wait to come back, nor can we recommend this work of art and the professionalism of their staff enough. 5 stars.
Dan surprised me by making reservations at Le Cirque for our latest trip to Las Vegas. This was his first time picking out a fine dining restaurant for us on his own, and it was funny to see how anxious he was to have his choice validated. (Now he knows what I go through. Just kidding.)
We stepped into our hotel room at about 3:45 PM. Dinner was scheduled for 5. We got dressed, called a cab, and made our way through Bellagio's sunny atrium.
For all intents and purposes, Le Cirque's dining room occupies a very small, lakeside space; this helps to create a feeling of intimacy, I guess. Tables were a little too close for my comfort, and because we were early diners, we could hear the OC couple at the far end of the room cackling and going on about how marvelous Chat Noir and Dennis Rodman were.
Here is a shot of our table, with its "front and center" view:
Here is a shot of the dining room:
Shot of the cute dishes. I thought they were great.
We ordered a bottle of Evian for the table and I ordered a glass of pinot grigio for myself. We sat back, relaxed, and mentally prepared for the weekend ahead. This is what we do in Las Vegas. We eat, drink, talk a lot about nothing, and virtually allow ourselves to turn into veal.
Pretty soon, a waiter brought us a basket of bread (I wonder which bakery bakes all the bread for the dining establishments at this hotel?)
At my behest, Dan ordered the Sweet Breads as his first. I knew he would love it, and he did! Yay! The Sweet Breads, Morels, and Mashed Potatoes made for such a hearty, flavorful first dish. Adding chopped asparagus really lent much-needed texture, and adding tomato really helped to cut through all the decadence.
Have you ever heard anyone laugh out loud after putting something really delicious in their mouth? It is the most infectious sound ever. Dan's Sweet Breads:
For my first, I had the Lobster Salad. I had heard so much about it, but was slightly let down. There was a ton of super sweet, cold lobster meat on top, and the dressing was delicious. I felt, however, that this salad depended a little too much on the avocado that was used to bind it all together. I would have liked to see fresher flavors brought in to cheer up the dish a bit and to create more dimensions (perhaps lemon, radicchio, white peppercorn?). Avocado and lobster both have creamy, sweet flesh. And the avacado overpowered my asparagus, which became somewhat slimy. Honestly? I would have liked to have seen this dish with a mayo-based vinaigrette or other such acidic emulsion.
We ordered the Seared Foie Gras with Nectarines, Cherries, Dried Fruits, and Micro Mache a la carte and decided to share it. It was super delicious, a wonderful merriment of earthy, fruity, and fresh flavors. It was not as great as Picasso, but a damn good try. I can still taste it in my soft palate memories.
Next came second course. Dan had the Beef Tenderloin with Seared Foie Gras and Sweet Onion Marjoram, and I had the Honey Duck Magret with Figs, Hazelnuts, Muscatel Scented Apricots and Black Currant Sauce. He really enjoyed his beef and I did too! The Sweet Onion Marjoram was an insightful and strategic touch. Also, we loved the sauce and sopped it all up with our bread.
The beef was cooked perfectly! It may look a little well done here, but it got a bit pinker toward the middle.
My duck was fine. The skin was crisp, honey-wafered perfection. The meat, however, arrived a bit too rare for my taste (I always order my duck medium). If my taste buds were telling me right, that white root you see is boiled daikon and the red "marrow" inside may be huckleberry jam. I mushed up my fruit with the sauce and made a super thick and mouth-watering savory jam with which to eat the duck. It was also served with a sweet potato and duck confit "casserole" which was okay, but really didn't add anything to the dish. I only ate a couple bites of it.
For dessert, Dan had the Baba au Rum, and I had the Chocolate sphere. Both desserts were beyond excellent. To refresh your memory (I myself forgot when Dan asked), Baba au Rum is a very dense butter cake soaked in syrup and liquor (often rum). Usually, it is filled with whipped or pastry cream.
The cake below was served in strawberry soup and topped off with coconut ice cream. It was soooo tasty! The strawberry soup was icy cold and so fresh you could smell it as it trickled down your throat. The coconut ice cream was just a perfect touch, a superior alternative to vanilla. I really enjoyed the flecks of lemon grass which were used to garnish the dish.
Perhaps the most delightful and fun part of the entire meal was when my dessert was brought to our table. From what I could see, it was just a chocolate orb with gold leaf on top.
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Delicious! We went on our honeymoon to Vegas, and this was the last place we ate at. What a way to end a trip. We did the tasting menu of 3 courses. My risotto was amazing. I had the rabbit, which was delicious but so rich. I loved our waiter, although the sommelier seemed a little stuck up. The dessert was divine, as were the truffles.
The sister restaurant of the famous Le Cirque in NYC where I have dined a number of times. Every bit as good as it's sibling in New York including the warm dark ambience but better because of the wonderful view of the Bellagio Fountain. I had their tasting menu and every course was better than the next. My favorite was the Paupiette of Sea Bass with Pinot Noir sauce, crispy potato skin, microgreens and shredded savoy cabbage. Great poached very fresh sea bass served over a perfect crispy salad with a sauce that will send you to culinary heaven. Great Chocolate Souffle for dessert and almost as good as the very best Choc Souffle that of Wolfgang Puck's at CUT. Le Cirque at Bellagio like it's sibling in NYC gets a Tony B/Italian Crew 5 star review.
Le Cirque is just a overall perfect place to dine. As soon as you walk in you know your in for a great experience. It has a warm, dark, and playful room and I was seated at a perfect little table with a great view of the Bellagio Fountain Show as I requested! As soon as I sat down the manager came and introduced himself. Everyone had smiles on there faces and was ready to jump for the smallest request.
As soon as I sat down the bread basket arrived. Bread was nice and warm. It featured many different types such as raisin, wheat, pretzel and white. While most places give 2-3 different types this basket must have had 5 different types all in which were very good! I was then presented with a amuse! It was a Oyster topped with Caviar! This was by far the best Oyster I've had. It was as fresh as they come and the Caviar added a nice smooth salty flavor that was just amazing!
First Course was there famous Lobster Salad. The lobster was dressed with Black Truffle Dressing topped with some greens all wrapped up in a dill pickle. The lobster tasted very fresh and paired well with the dressing and the dill pickle just added the perfect amount of saltiness to it. Overall a great start and a tasteful dish!
Next up was the Foie Gras. Aw the sinful taste of Foie Gras. Some states have already banned it but Las Vegas will most likely always be the place to find Foie Gras and in MANY forms. Le Cirque's version was just awesome in every way. It reminded me much of the dish I had at Craftsteak. Sauteed Foie Gras with White Peach, Blackberries and Micro Greens. While Foie Gras itself is very rich no matter how the Chef prepares it, the White Peach and and Blackberries added a very nice lightness to the dish which I like when it comes to Foie Gras. Overall one of the best Foie Gras I've had.
Course #3! OK so I'm a full blooded Risotto LOVER! This was my favorite dish of the meal. It had LOTS of lobster which was cooked to perfection along with very fresh tasting peas. While risotto can be a hit or miss for me this risotto was the best I've had besides the one at Gordan Ramsay's at the London in NY. Everything was perfect. It was rich of course but not to rich which is why risotto is a hit or miss for me because most make the dish WAY to rich and cheesy. It was just perfect!
Course #4: The Halibut. This was my first time having this fish and after trying it, it will not be my last. It was cooked to perfection! It featured Halibut, Pesto Emulsion, Calamari Popsicle, Borlotti Beans & Tomato. It a had beautiful green color, the Pesto Emulsion, and this was definitely the best fish dish I've ever had. The Halibut melted in your mouth and all the flavors paired perfect with each other. This restaurant knows how to cook seafood and I think its there Strong point!
Course #5: The restaurant is known for there Rabbit. So of course I had to order there signature entree and I've never had Rabbit before so I figured what the hey! The dish is called "Blanquette" de Lapin in which they call Rabbit Symphony: Ravioli, Roasted Loin, Braised Leg with Crispy Spaëtzles, Riesling Sauce! The Rabbit itself was good but a little dry, it reminded me a lot of pork but with the texture of chicken, the ravioli was good but also felt it to be a little dry as well. No flavors really popped and it was my least favorite dish but still a good dish and it was something new to me which is why I ordered it.
Palate Cleanser: To be honest I lost my notes somewhere during the trip so I'm not sure what the heck it was but all I know it was VERY VERY good, refreshing and light which was perfect before desert! It featured Coconut Sorbet with some kind of peach infusion.
DESERT: Chocolate Souffle! Perfect in every way. Loved it. It was rich and I was only able to eat three bites but it was good! First bite I felt like I was floating on a chocolate cloud with ice cream just slowing pouring over me!!!! And the end of the meal they present you with fabulous plate of petite fours, which I had them wrap to go because I was so full, and a nice little Le Cirque box which had some delectable chocolates in them and was a nice little souvenir!
Overall this was a AWESOME meal and loved every moment of it. The service doesn't get any better and was made to feel very comfortable as a solo diner. The manager came by throughout the meal to make sure everything was to my liking! The only negative I would say is they are to generous with there tasting menu. I hate leaving a restaurant stuffed to the point I can pairly walk. This place doesn't get enough credit and is in the same price range as many of the "Celebrity Chefs" restaurants which is why I think many people choose to dine at other restaurants just to say they dined there. If you want to be treated like royalty for a night with a ambiance and food that is just perfect then Le Cirque is the place to go!
The quality of food, service, ambiance you get at Le Cirque is world class. I think if I may dare say, had the best meal ever at Le Cirque but it may have been the beautiful French accents from our wait staff and the view of the Bellagio fountain right next to me that was doing the trick... From the minute we entered this restaurant, I knew we were up for an amazing experience. The level of attention you receive from the host, bartender, sommelier, manager, and waiter all at once is overwhelming yet flattering. I loved their accents...My friend and I honestly couldn't get enough. We chose the Tasting menu with the premier wine pairings. Amazing combinations, one by one explained to us in detail by the lovely sommerlier. Some of my favorites of the night was the lobster salad.. a must try! fois gras was the best I've ever had...perfectly done, and the risotto! AMAZING...the sea bass which was paired with a Red surprised me but I later found out that it was because the sea bass is cooked in Pinor Noir sauce...AH.... i wanna go back! The damage was done after having our last course, the Souffle! chocolate souffle! Had a bite and we were done...not because it wasn't good but our stomachs were maxed out...i think a box of biscottis packed in elegant le cirque boxes were a nice touch! The bill came out to be just under $800 for the two of us...I know crazy... we did drink alot and besides Bellagio comped for all our meals...can't wait to go back!!!!!!!!
I am a devotee of fine dining as you can probably tell from my other reviews, and despite almost 10 years in NYC I never made it to either Le Cirque or Le Cirque 2000 (despite even having at least one reservation), so I was pretty excited to finally test out a Le Cirque-brand restaurant in LV.
The pros: The food was very tasty, and the service was excellent, as should be expected.
The cons: It's just not really a French-style restaurant. The portions were huge, which I suppose is expected when you are dining in Vegas, but it really put me off. I don't expect to be rolled away from a fine dining experience. And I don't need a piece of veal the size of my head. (If you do, and you have some idea how big my enormous head is, this might be the place for you.) Finally, we brought our own wine, and the sommalier was a bit rude about it even though we had no problem with paying the corkage.
I'd have to say that if you are looking for a high-end French dining experience in LV, there are probably better options.
My most vivid memories of Vegas are as a child.
My parents, though not formally diagnosed as compulsive gamblers, liked Las Vegas... a lot.
We'd make the 6 hour drive from Salt Lake City to Vegas 4 or 5 times a year. I've spent some interesting holidays in Vegas as a kid, some highlights off the top of my head:
- Age 14, buying a chocolate milkshake at the Burger King in the food court of the MGM Casino. I was alone.
- Age 10, 12, 15, Thanksgiving dinner at the Stardust Buffet (RIP)
- Age 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, etc... Trolling the midway arcade at Circus Circus with a pocket full o' quarters.
Aaaah, the memories sweep over me like a wave. God I was pathetic!!!
Now that I'm older and have more than a roll of quarters in my pockets (remember, size doesn't matter), my Vegas experience is vastly different. The main difference is that wifey won't let me go cheap here because she's a wallflowery princess.
In the spirit of living high off the hog, we dine at Nevada's branch of the famous New York institution, Le Cirque.
In short, it's good.
But I have a problem with circus themes, the clowns give me nightmares. The other problem is that when you tell people you dined at Le Cirque, most assume it's the one in NY. Definitely less snob-appeal. But I guess if you're in Vegas, edgy sophistication is pretty much thrown out the door.
Eat the foie, play the slots, and stay away from the creepy clowns!
I went to Le Cirque with insane expectations. Being only my second dinner at the Bellagio, the previous one at the amazing Picasso, I had anticipated this dinner quite a bit. In the end, I was disappointed.
We went in a party of 7. When we sat down, menus were provided, but we knew immediately we were doing the tasting menu. We raised some special needs with our waiter, and he provided several possible substitutions for certain dishes that did not fit the constraints. He suggested a truffle rosotto over the scallop and mushroom. Instead of john dory, how about rabbit, or chicken (really?), or filet?
With the menu decided, bread was served. The bread was excellent. There were three or four different breads in each basket. The highlight was something I've never seen before: fat, soft pretzel bread. It was like having a soft pretzel in bread form. It was great.
The first course was a lobster salad, but I don't eat shellfish. Instead, I was given a nicely presented traditional salad. It was okay. Nothing very exciting, though the tomatoes were excellent.
The second course was a sauteed foie gras with dried fruits and hazelnut. A classic combination, again, tried but true. This was excellent, though I think I've had enough foie gras for a couple years from this one dish alone -- it was not lacking in quantity.
The next course was the risotto. Again, the menu called for a scallop and mushroom, but I opted for a truffle risotto. Boy, did it have truffles. The entire mini sauce pan in which it was served was covered with large flakes of truffle. I've never seen that much in one place. The risotto was good. The truffle tasted like nothing. Yes, there was enough truffle to take many bites of just truffle. I simply didn't understand it. I suppose truffle is best appreciated through the nose. Other members of my party who ordered the scallop rosotto preferred theirs over the one with truffle.
The next dish was the jon dorry. It was fine. Interestingly, it was served with a red wine sauce, which I do need to give the chef props for. That was unique to my experience.
Then, the lamb. I am having a hard time remembering it, again. The waiter did not ask for our temperature preference, and as such everyone's came our medium/medium well. That alone was not so impressive. I do recall that it was the cleanest frenching I've ever seen on a chop, though.
With all the courses over, our waiter asked us if we'd like dessert. We say yes, order some coffees, and by the time the coffee is served, the waiters all come out with 7 different desserts prepared, one for each person (a surprise!). We played a game of Pass the Dessert and got to try them all. Each was quite large. The best was probably a coconut/mango ice cream served in a coconut. Other offerings included two souffles, a strawberry shortcake, and others. On top, we were provided petit fours. Again, nothing truly amazing.
In all, I found the food pretty generic. It was solid, no doubt, but not creative. Nothing elicited a "wow" except, perhaps, some of the portions. I feel like the kitchen was playing it safe with this menu.
I must compare this restaurant to Picasso. The experience pales in comparison. Add on top of that that the menu is $145 per person ($40-$50 more than Picasso) and then another $14 per person for the truffle substitution (and for what, exactly?), and one wonders what the value proposition here is.
Perhaps my anticipation got the better of me, but in all, I can't fully recommend this restaurant. I think there are better choices out there.
Tragically disappointing, unless you enjoy eating raw lobster and scallops. Outrageously expensive as well. Details below.
We visited Le Cirque on 12/17/07. I wanted to take my partner and some lifelong friends out for a fantastic dinner in Las Vegas and the concierge assured me that this was one of the best restaurants in town. "Five star" quality she said.
Well, the dinner was a total disaster.
First, our cocktail disaster. We ordered Ketel One martinis, and from our table we watched the martinis sit in the shaker for nearly ten minutes before the bartender poured them into glasses. When they finally got to us they tasted mostly like water.
Next, the appetizer disaster. My partner ordered the scallops and lobster appetizer. After one bite of the lobster, he realized that the lobster was NOT COOKED. Everyone at the table inspected the appetizer and agreed that it was not cooked. The restaurant manager agreed too, so she sent it back to the kitchen and brought my partner another one. Well, the second appetizer had cooked lobster but RAW scallops! So we had to send that one back too. Yikes. At this point, my partner declined a third try on the appetizer.
Because of this terrible screw up, the restaurant then decided to bring our entire table free garlic pasta appetizers (without asking us first). Unfortunately, my partner does not eat fresh garlic, so they had to take that back. Then, again without asking us first the restaurant brought my partner a foie gras appetizer, which he also couldn't eat because he doesn't like foie gras. Even though the restaurant meant well by these gestures, they only made the situation worse because they didn't ask us what we wanted.
Now on to the wine steward disaster. When we sat down, I consulted with the wine steward over wines and selected both white and red wine for our table. Well, the red wine didn't show up until our main course was served, but no white wine -- the wine steward had completely forgotten about the white wine that I had selected! We had to remind him. This is not the type of wine steward service that I expect from a five star restaurant!
And finally, the main course disaster. Three of our four main courses arrived barely warm. At that point, my partner sent his main course back to the kitchen and decided to not eat dinner altogether. I ate my sea bass main course and it was decent but would have been better hotter. Not one of my dinner guests raved about the food at Le Cirque.
So overall, my wonderful idea of a fantastic dinner for my partner and my two longtime friends turned into something out of a Stephen King novel. I was very disappointed.
Of course, the restaurant apologized profusely for serving us uncooked seafood and for the comedy of errors (especially since the manager witnessed all of it firsthand), and comped my partner's dinner, the watered down martinis and our bottle of red wine. This was a nice gesture, but even after this, our bill still came to over $400 for four people. Way too much money for the quality and service at this place.
Afterwards, we spoke to the general manager of the Bellagio Hotel, where we were also staying, about this horrible experience. The general manager took my partner's drivers license number and address in order to run a background check on him, and then promised to contact us the following day about our situation. The next day we received a call from the hotel's Risk Manager who offered us two free nights stay and free dinner for two on a future stay once my partner signed a legal liability release for the hotel and restaurant. Yes, everything always comes down to the lawyers!! LOL So, the hotel did try to make things right for us as best as they could.
Luckily, after all of this, the MOST IMPORTANT THING is that my partner did not get sick from eating that one bite of uncooked lobster. But it did create one very unpleasant experience for us.
When I was young, my parents would take me to McDonald's and cheap buffets whenever we went to Vegas. That is why, now that I am married and older, I asked my husband to splurge on some fine dining. Well, not only fine dining but AAA 5 diamond dining.
I like ordering prix fixe menus (I splurged on the $145 menu) because it gives me a chance to sample the general style of the restaurant and chef without giving me too much of a headache. I was not disappointed in the least because the food was so tasty, fresh, tender, perfectly cooked to my liking, etc.
The food was excellent. There was nothing that I didn't like. Here is a list of some things that were on the 9-course prix fixe menu for the day I went (it changes daily):
-Lobster salad
-Sauteed Fois Gras with Macerated Fruit and Hazelnuts (YUM !!!!)
-Colorado rack of Lamb with Tender Vegetables and Lobster Jus
I was feeling adventurous and decided to hone my wine-aficionado tastes by adding wine parings to my meal (an additional $65). The best idea I've had this week. Chateau Gravas Saternes, I have found you as my new love :D
The service was prompt and helpful, yet not as attentive as other places I have been to. There is a spectacular view of the Bellagio water fountain show out of the windows.
The reason why I didn't rate this place a five, however, is that the tables are way too close to others, making it difficult to walk and just noisy in general. There were actually many large groups at this restaurant, and though I was happy that everyone was having a good time, it took away from the classiness of this place. Also, they charge you for water, which just makes you feel like they try to siphon money away with you every chance they get.
A truly memorable dinner experience
Decor/ambience-Our table for two looked out over the lake and fountain show that repeats every 20 minutes; the walls covered by unique whimsical murals of circus scenes very tastefully done; agree completely with V L
Service-could not have been better; two tuxedo clad "Captains" served us with help from dedicated pleasant bread server; all were knowledgeable of menu and wines
Food-Wow Lobster salad had large chunks and sauteed fois gras was tasty but undercooked for my taste, the only hiccup in our meal
Entrees-
Sea Bass and Beef Tornado(Filet Mignon) with sauteed fois gras this time cooked just right....sauces with both were perfect
Breads were unlike any we've had
Forgot.... meal began with marinated cherries served in lemon zest rose water...tasty
Dessert-chocolate souffle with vanilla ice cream and creme fresh and creme broulee .... both were spectacular
meal ended with selection of petit fours that were consistent with fine dining we had come to expect that evening
What can I say a memorable evening in every respect....Le Cirque is Le Best!!!!
favorite restaurant in vegas... Private... small... amazing food... service by far the best.... and great waterfall show outside... this place is to die for... also very pricey .... avg check around 300$ for 2 (with ordering water for drink)
If you're in the mood for extravagance and over-the-top WOW - definitely wine & dine at Le Cirque. The service was probably the best I've ever experienced anywhere, EVER. The food was so delicious (although a little buttery but isn't all French food?), and our sommelier was simply amazing - so UNpretentious, unlike most sommeliers who act holier-than-thou. He gave us excellent recommendations, so en pointe with every selection; he was witty and charming and just lovely.
For the experience, the food, the service, the ambiance, everything - definitely worth it.
The restaurant is non smoking, but it is right next to the Casino. They don't close their doors until ~9 or so, and until then, it is NOT a non smoking experience. Be warned.
Service was terrific and prompt. Table next to us had a wedding proposal and a show to go to, and they accommodated all of those needs.
Atmosphere has a circus/happy monkey theme. I liked it; some may not. Some of the views oversee the fountains.
We had the tasting menu. Overall, very good, not totally out of this world, but very good. Some great stuff - Risotto with truffle, foie gras. The cut of beef was a little gristly. The desserts (they brought one for each tasting) was terrific without being too experimental and the pre-dessert palate cleanser (raspberry sorbet with grapefruit?) was really terrific. Petit fours that came with the check were high quality. They give truffles at the end, but in a little cardboard chest drawer - pretty neat. I almost enjoyed the desserts the most.
Kind of expensive.
Just be sure the smoke isn't too strong for you before you go. Michael Mina and Picasso (in the same hotel) are further away from the Casino and more smoke free.
I opted to have my wedding reception at this restaurant on Valentine's Day for a party of 11. We all had a lovely meal, which was paired with a wine tasting. The duck with warmed apricots was memorable and the service and ambience were fantastic. You can even catch a view of the Bellagio fountains from certain seats. My only complaint is that for some reason the wine was not included on the bill and so we received a phone call on our wedding night at 11pm at night to notify us of their mistake. We wished they could have handled the error in a more respectable way, such as calling the next day. The waiters were entertaining and we will surely remember the evening.
The food was decent, but it made me sick. So much, that I didn't even finish my food. I ALWAYS finish my food, especially if it's $$$$. But this time, I was cramping, ready to barf, and almost missed Zumanity which was suppose to be right after dinner.
Besides getting sick, the food was OKAY. I had the scallops, which was no better than the scallops I order at Scott's Seafood. The lobster salad was slightly better than the food I eat at Google, but I get that for FREE.
All in all, blah (and barf)
I've been dreaming about their pan seared foie gras ever since i got back. I'm an average girl who enjoys an average price tag. This is some serious cuisine with some serious price tag, but it was wroth every single dollar spent.
Their service was incredible. From the moment we step in we were greeted by a perfect mix of cocktail-I like to start with a heavy dirty martini. Half glass down (which is no more than 2 mins) we were seated by this tall handsome french waiter who was extremely charming (must be the accent+vokda). He went into detail about the special follow by the lovely sommelier who paired up the most excellent wine with our dinner. I had the recommended lobster salad for starter, sea bass for main entree and finished off with a strawberry soufflé. Unlike other reviewers, i can't go into details to describe what was on the plate but i can tell you one thing. .. from the moment they serve that basket of warm, buttery bread to the moment i reach the bottom of that souffle bowl... it was noting, but O M G.
This is the dinning experience everyone need to have at least once.
Fantastique--Le Cirque at Las Vegas is a very Paris inspired interior. Something I would expect from Sirio Maccioni a reincarnation of the venerable and amazing Le Cirque. The Foie Gras was amazing, flawless. The food was entirely fresh and the service was professional and nice. A good environment topped off with a great wine makes for a spectacular evening.
Buen Provecho!
2 for 1 Specialty Vodka…
Las Vegas, NV
$45 Prix Fixe
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Category: French
Las Vegas, NV
Category: Italian
Las Vegas, NV
Category: French
Las Vegas, NV
Category: American (New)
Las Vegas, NV
Category: French
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