LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Before the
turn of the millennium, Bellagio altered the landscape of
Las Vegas dining when it built
world-celebrated chef restaurants overlooking its iconic fountains.
The tradition of delivering award-winning, lakeside epicurean
experiences continues as it debuts LAGO by Julian Serrano – a contemporary, Milan-inspired Italian restaurant concept.
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"I remember when I was approached about opening my first
Bellagio restaurant, Picasso, in front of some 'wild fountain.' It
was unheard of at the time, but the potential was undeniable," said
Serrano. "LAGO is a continuation of what Jean-Georges [Vongerichten], Sirio [Maccioni], Todd
[English] and I started here – executing exceptional,
thought-provoking cuisine in a setting you can't find anywhere else
in the world."
Boasting a new outdoor patio with arguably the most spectacular
views of the world-famous fountains, LAGO's cutting-edge space is
inspired by Italian Futurism – the sweeping artistic and cultural
movement of early 20th century Italy.
The entire space is injected with a colorful pulse from the bold
1,500-square-foot mosaic map of Milan at its entrance to the sleek marble
mixology counter greeting guests with a one-of-a-kind cocktail
program. The dining room, designed by the award-winning Munge
Leung, features large arched windows maximizing views of the scenic
fountains to ensure that every table is the best seat in the
house.
La Cucina
"I want to stretch guests' perception beyond
their typical Italian experience by creating a feast that exhibits
today's culinary culture and showcases all of the exciting
possibilities with Italian cuisine in the 21st
century."
- Chef Julian Serrano
At his third Las Vegas
restaurant, Michelin-starred Serrano lets his expertise shine
through an extensive menu of small-plate masterpieces built to
encourage guests to experiment and explore.
- Crudo Elegante – Crudo di Pesce marries raw seafood with
the flavor of fruits and vegetables. LAGO offers its own creations
like the Salmone with anchovies and the Tonno (aka
Tuna), paired with a seasonally changing citrus.
- Maestro Vegetariano – Serrano's flair for vegetarian
gastronomy progresses with indulgences like Risotto cooked
with red wine and burrata cheese; or the Carciofi Fritti, a
beautiful preparation of fried artichokes served with mint
pesto.
- Pastas con Panache – Throw status quo out the window as
LAGO's pastas showcase elite culinary skills and artistry, which
dazzle the senses like the Calamarata, little calamari-pasta
rings from Gragnano in Naples
delicately stylized with squid sauce.
- Piatti Grandi – Serrano hasn't limited LAGO to small
plates as the menu boasts an indulgent section aimed at the hearty
eater with creations such as the Piedmontese beef tenderloin with
gorgonzola cheese or the Bistecca one-pound ribeye trimmed
with sea salt.
Le Bevande
"The food element in LAGO's cocktails allowed
me to express my creativity and imagine a unique drinking
experience that delivers on all different levels of tastes."
- Bellagio Master Mixologist Ricardo Murcia
All of LAGO's libations include a food component that
complements the flavor of each cocktail. Bellagio Master Mixologist
Ricardo Murcia has designed Italian versions of classic cocktails
sporting intricate garnishes, handmade by the resort's skilled
beverage team.
- A Caramel Nest with Golden Raspberries – Murcia's
prediction for a crowd favorite is the Rosso Bellini. This
elegant cocktail boasts a beautiful caramel nest holding a golden
raspberry hovering over a refreshing mixture of Hangar One
Raspberry, Toschi Fragoli Wild Strawberry Liqueur, prosecco,
raspberry syrup and fresh lemon juice.
- Edible Cocktail Sphere – The Sgroppino features
an intricate frozen sphere, comprised of prosecco, lemoncello,
lemon sorbet and cocoa butter, which explodes with flavor with each
bite. This creation rests atop a scoop of lemon sorbet meant to be
mixed in the surrounding prosecco as soon as guests are finished
savoring the sphere.
- Pineapple Cone with Mini Fruit Pearls – Lago's
Mojito delivers tastes of Tuscany with tropical fruit juices, Vermouth
and Prosecco. The drink is garnished with an edible cone made from
dried pineapple and filled with mini passion fruit pearls comprised
of passion fruit puree, sugar and agar agar (vegetarian
powder).
- Caper Berry Stuffed Chorizo – LAGO's leather-aged
cocktail comes in the form of the "Serrano Negroni" aged in a
special leather botarron handcrafted in Spain by the world famous Jesus Blasco. The libation consists of
Bellagio's hand-selected Woodford Reserve Double Oak Bourbon, Cynar
Artichoke Bitter, Cinzano 1757 Sweet Vermouth and Campari before
being garnished with an extraordinary chorizo stuffed with caper
berries.
- Italian Chocolate Cookie – LAGO has three delectable
dessert cocktails such as the Tiramisu, an alluring
concoctions of St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Godiva White
Chocolate Liqueur, Tiramisu Liqueur, Marscapone Cheese, vanilla ice
cream and cold espresso topped with Chocolate Curls and an Italian
Chocolate Cookie.
Il Vino
"Chef Serrano's small plates take on Italian
cuisine drove me to find vintages from lesser known regions of
Italy offering tremendous value
and most importantly providing an impeccable complement to LAGO's
cuisine."
- Bellagio Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith
Wine connoisseurs will delight in LAGO's wine menu featuring 750
bottles from highly sought-after labels such as Sassicaia and Gaja
as well as to hard-to-find small production Italian varietals like
Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. The collection also offers a large
collection from vineyards in California and Oregon.
Lago is open seven nights a week and is located off the casino
floor next to Hyde Bellagio. For
reservations or more information, click here.
ABOUT BELLAGIO
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the AAA Five Diamond Bellagio
overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 1/2-acre lake in which fountains
perform a magnificent aquatic ballet. Award-winning dining, a
world-class art gallery, the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical
Gardens, the stunning performance of "O," by Cirque du
Soleil, a sumptuous spa and salon and exclusive luxury shopping
all work together to compose the symphony that is Bellagio.
Bellagio is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International
(NYSE: MGM).
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International