It doesn’t get any more Vegas than this without rhinestones and tassels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere’s a certain revelry among your fellow diners when the fountain shows begin. Lago is a hit with international visitors, so you’re likely to hear them singing along with Celine as she belts out “My Heart Will Go On” or Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli sing “Time to Say Goodbye.”<\/p>\n
Lago is an Italian restaurant, and if you’re a world traveler you’ll know that right off the bat when you see the restaurant’s colorful entrance. The mosaic design was inspired by an aerial map of Milan, which we’re fairly sure is a city in Italy. We are American, so our knowledge of other countries isn’t what one would call on point.<\/p>\nWe would not have guessed “roadmap of Milan,” but we don’t get out much.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWe do, however, know Lago restaurant serves up a variety of creative dishes sure to satisfy those who love the classics (that would be us) as well as foodies interested in sophisticated, elevated takes on 21st century Italian cuisine (everybody else).<\/p>\n
Start off with some fancy cheese, the Burrata. Burrata’s outer shell is mozzarella, and the inside is a mixture of stracciatella (made from Italian buffalo milk in the province of Foggia) and cream, which gives it a soft, spreadable texture. Burrata, by the way, is Italian for “buttered.”<\/p>\n
All of which serves to remind us it’s often as important to know how about Google than food.<\/p>\nInsider tip: If you’re trying the Burrata, also ask for an order of “carta” bread. “Carta” means envelope in Italian, and the bread is paper thin (like an envelope, presumably), a perfect complement to the cheese.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe focus on small plates at Lago means the dishes are meant to be shared, so order away.<\/p>\n
We also tried the Polpette di Carne, or tomato braised beef meatballs. They weren’t as good at the meatballs at Pizza Rock, but that’s an impossibly high bar.<\/p>\nMeatballs, or polpette, are rarely if ever served with spaghetti in Italy. You’ll survive.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTwo dishes in, it’s time for another incredible signature cocktail, the Sicilian Gin and Tonic. This tempting libation has Bulldog dry gin, San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa, Kaffir lime leaf, blood orange pearls and diamond ice.<\/p>\nWe were going to make a blood orange pearl necklace joke, but didn’t want to ruin the moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNext up was the cannelloni, with pulled short ribs, parmesan fonduta and tomato sauce.<\/p>\nSome Italian enchilada action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRounding out our meal was the Al Cipollotto E Speck. For us commoners, that’s a small pizza with pork (the speck part), buffalo ricotta and cipolline onions.<\/p>\nIf you call them “pizzettes,” there are no calories. According to experts we just made up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSmall plates are surprisingly filling, yet despite that, we’re always up for dessert.<\/p>\n
We wrapped up our tour of Milan with Dujotto, with vanilla cremeux, Gianduja mousse, caramelized hazelnut, chocolate financier and nocciola gelato.<\/p>\nYou could spent the next 20 minutes looking up all those terms, or just trust us when we say it’s worth saving some room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOur excellent waiter, Fabio, twisted our arm into having another dessert, Cermino al Carmello, with chocolate mousse, passion fruit and caramel glaze.<\/p>\nGold leaf is created by the practice of “goldbeating,” which could explain why it always seems so relaxed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBetween the stellar signature cocktails, excellent small plates and Bellagio fountains, Lago proved itself to be a singular experience and one we look forward to having again soon.<\/p>\n
Find out more about Lago Restaurant at Bellagio<\/a>, and if you’re in the mood for a mid-Strip indulgence that truly makes Vegas Vegas, add Lago to your Las Vegas must-do list.<\/p>\n