After a bad experience in 2004, we decided to give Todd English's Olives restaurant in the Bellagio hotel a second chance on a recent visit to Las Vegas.
We are pleased to say that the second visit proved to be a much better experience. The restaurant has a great view over the lake for the famous fountains so you need to book well in advance to secure a table with a view on the patio.
What did we order?
We had a few people at the table and between us all the following graced our plates:
The flat bread with Portobello wild mushroom purée, herb-roasted portobello, red onions, fontina cheese, white truffle oil
Duck Two Ways
seared muscovy breast, confit leg tortellini, caramelized apples, maple sauce
Brick Oven Roasted Free Range Chicken
country mashed potato cake, green beans, madeira jus, watercress salad
Char Grilled Ribeye
ash roasted fingerling potatoes, sweet onion jam, piquillo peppers,
port wine glaze, garlicky broccolini
Grilled Squid and Octopus
We are pleased to say that the second visit proved to be a much better experience. The restaurant has a great view over the lake for the famous fountains so you need to book well in advance to secure a table with a view on the patio.
Some of the tables are positioned uncomfortably close to each other - our group had the pleasure of sitting next to a canoodling couple, but we didn't let it spoil our birthday celebration!
What did we order?
We had a few people at the table and between us all the following graced our plates:
The flat bread with Portobello wild mushroom purée, herb-roasted portobello, red onions, fontina cheese, white truffle oil
Duck Two Ways
seared muscovy breast, confit leg tortellini, caramelized apples, maple sauce
Brick Oven Roasted Free Range Chicken
country mashed potato cake, green beans, madeira jus, watercress salad
Char Grilled Ribeye
ash roasted fingerling potatoes, sweet onion jam, piquillo peppers,
port wine glaze, garlicky broccolini
Grilled Squid and Octopus
chickpea vinaigrette, tomatoes, toasted garlic, parsley
All food was cooked well, tasted great and delivered in just the right time. The flatbread was a HUGE portion, could have easily been shared between 2-3 people. Presentation was nice, flavors were good and we were impressed with the standard of the cocktails.
With gifts being offered to the birthday girl, it wasn't long before our waiter appeared with a pretty plate with 'happy Birthday' piped on it and some yummy mini deserts - a nice touch.
Due to the decor the restaurant can get a little loud when full, however, on this occasion we liked the bustling busy atmosphere and as it didn't affect the wait time on our meals (drinks and food timed perfectly) it wasn't a problem.
Lets be honest, you are paying for the location and the atmosphere just as much as the food. Yes, there are cheaper places, yes there are places that have better food. But on the whole we found the prices adequate for the experience and enjoyed our night and will return on our next trip to Vegas.
Summary: Good food, fantastic view of the fountains, nice atmosphere
All food was cooked well, tasted great and delivered in just the right time. The flatbread was a HUGE portion, could have easily been shared between 2-3 people. Presentation was nice, flavors were good and we were impressed with the standard of the cocktails.
With gifts being offered to the birthday girl, it wasn't long before our waiter appeared with a pretty plate with 'happy Birthday' piped on it and some yummy mini deserts - a nice touch.
Due to the decor the restaurant can get a little loud when full, however, on this occasion we liked the bustling busy atmosphere and as it didn't affect the wait time on our meals (drinks and food timed perfectly) it wasn't a problem.
Lets be honest, you are paying for the location and the atmosphere just as much as the food. Yes, there are cheaper places, yes there are places that have better food. But on the whole we found the prices adequate for the experience and enjoyed our night and will return on our next trip to Vegas.
Summary: Good food, fantastic view of the fountains, nice atmosphere
