Wine Bars, Restaurants, French Restaurants
$$$$, Business Dining, Fine Dining, Hotel Restaurants, Local Favorite, Notable Wine List, People Watching, Quiet, Romantic Dining, Theater District Dining
For over a quarter century, Le Cirque has remained the gustatory temple at the epicenter of New York's social, business and power dining scenes. Ringmaster Sirio Maccioni, long-recognized as the "world's most charismatic restaurateur," brings his Four-Star culinary magic to the Las Vegas Strip with the opening of Bellagio. Perched astride an eight-acre lake filled with dancing fountains, Le Cirque is a whimsical jewel box of color and detail, from the star-studded entry of polished woods to the sumptuous, swooping silk-tented ceiling. Le Cirque offers animated surroundings with vibrant French cookery that is by turns rustic and elegant: Braised rabbit in riesling with spaetzle, fava beans and wild mushrooms; roasted chicken in black truffle skin with roasted potatoes and lobster salad "Le Cirque" with black truffle dressing. Le Cirque is the proud recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award.
Le Cirque is located in the Bellagio on the famous Las Vegas strip. The menu is outstanding. Extensive wine list. I had the lobster salad for an appetizer that was tasty. I also had the venison filet with fois gras and that was incredible. Definitely get dessert for an eye pleasing experience. My dessert was 15 inches tall. Extremely expensive, but worth every penny. Jack and tie required, no exceptions. Reservations needed.
Posted 12/09/07 | Report Abuse
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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 just 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. Having said that, we paid $180 at another eatery and the food was terrible, the service, fair. We were THRILLED to pay what we did for the gourmet delicacies and service we received. 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. 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 professionalism enough. 5 stars.
Pros: Service is incredible and the food is inspired!
Cons: Can't think of any
Posted 09/25/09
Le Cirque is an absolute joy and I actually prefer it to Picasso.The 85 person room is attractive while not completely over the top. To start with, guests wearing dark clothing have the option of black napkins, which is a nice touch.I started with a combination of sauteed foie gras and foie gras terrine.As a entree, I chose the duck breast along with an excellent wine pairing.Each course was expertly prepared and attractively presented.Service is attentive and friendly.The tone of the service is more like Fleur de Lys than Picasso or Andres.The only minus is that some tables have a poor view of the Bellagio's fountain show.The general manager took time out to exchange a few nice words on my way out. In sum'a delightful neal definitely worth a return visit.A superb splurge for Bellagio guests.
Posted 06/15/09
To begin with we were given a wonderful table directly in front of the Bellagio fountains. The space is small and seats only about 80 people making it very cozy yet in a rich atmosphere. Then we were introduced to Tom, our waiter, who provided us with unpretentious service that was absolutely perfect from beginning to end. Then we were introduced to a very reasonably priced Terri Mor Pinot Noir that was recommended with our meal. The wine paired nicely with our 3 courses and was a spectacular suggestion. When the first course arrived, we were all overwhelmed with the explosion of flavor in every bite. The complex flavors of the escargot, butter, mini croutons and surprising anis left me speechless. For the second course I had the rabbit with domestic mushrooms in a Reisling sauce that was quite frankly priceless. That was followed with a perfectly presented chocolate souffle and petite fours that left absolutely nothing to be desired. An after dinner drink of sweet Italian sparkling wine was the perfect ending to a meal that may very well have been one of the best of my life. The two people that dined with me were equally as pleased as I was and would highly recommend this establishment to anyone willing to spend a few hundred dollars for a dining experience that would not be forgotten. I have been to all kinds of restaurants from around the world raging from New York to Paris and I honestly think that this establishment lived up to its 5 diamond reputation.
Pros: Food, Wine List, Service...
Cons: Promptness of table availability
Posted 03/12/08
a nice place to eat when visiting las vegas. not as good as ny though.
try to go earlier in the evening
Posted 09/16/07
Like every Relais & Chateaux we've been to, this place was wonderful! We made reservations online and it was as easy as clicking some buttons, even for a long-weekend Saturday night (which we did, maybe a few weeks prior to our trip to Vegas). I believe there are two general seating times. Be sure to book the 6-6:30 pm reservation, if you have theatre plans afterwards. Oh, and most importantly, be sure to request for the fountain view. There are only three table against the French doors with max seating for four people per. On the day of our reservation, we accidentally walked into Circo. However, the sister restaurant was quick to point us in the right direction when the saw us walking in slightly overdressed for their venue. Le Cirque is tucked away next door... hehe. The hostess asked us if we needed to check in our coats or if we desired a cocktail in the bar before proceeding to dinner. We asked to have our cocktails at the dinner table, which was fine. During the course of the entire experience, the staff was very attentive. The FOOD... oh, the food. It was a SPLENDID tasting! Oh, and the wine pairing is a must have. (Who needs to pound their head trying to figure out what wine should go best with what?s on the menu when the sommelier has done it for you?!)
Posted 08/30/07
Wait until you hear this story. My girl and I were scoping out restaurants to have our wedding reception dinner in Las Vegas. We started at Circo (the Italian sister restaurant to this place). After going with our sister and brother, the four of us decided Circo was very bad indeed. The bad omen was cold coffee to start. It only got worse with pasta that was undercooked (I like al dente, but come on); and the sauce was cold and with little flavor. The prices were also extremely high given the low quality. I will say this though- the decor was entertaining and I liked the monkey on the bicycle (a la a real circus). Anyway, here's where we get to the drama: we told the new catering manager about the poor food and said that we decided not to have our reception dinner there. She begged us to come back "at her invitation and her treat" to try the French side at Le Cirque. We thought about it and said, "what the hell."
That night, it was just the two of us, and we were very interested in trying the food for our future wedding. From the moment we sat down, the waiters and maitre d' tried to push expensive wines on us. We tried a glass, but didn't want to get drunk because we were there to test the food. The atmosphere was stuffy; but the food was actually very good. I loved the rabbit spaetzel. At the end of the meal, the maitre d' comes over and plops down the bill. We had planned on tipping, but the catering manager had said it was "her treat," so we just put a healthy tip down. The maitre d' came back and demanded payment for the meal: a whopping $430 for 2. I told them that I wasn't paying, and they needed to speak to the catering manager. Conveniently, she wasn't there, and they claimed they couldn't find her. The waiters began pestering us, and my girl got so uncomfortable after they held us hostage for 15 minutes, that she wanted to pay. I wouldn't let her. Ultimately, they let us go. BUT I WILL NEVER GO BACK. THEY ARE COMPLETE JERKS.
Pros: None- they are a disgrace to food service
Cons: Read the story
Posted 07/22/07
I arrived with my party of four 5 minutes before our reservation time. After being escorted to the restaurant, I came to discover that we were actually scheduled twenty five minutes earlier and our table had already been passed along to another party. Confused with the time, I quickly scrambled through my Blackberry to find the confirmation email. After retrieving the email and showing the hostess, she rudely informed us that there is nothing she can do and that we have to wait, never once apologizing for the restaurant's mistake. After standing awkwardly by the door for around 30 minutes, the hostess finally led us into the restaurant utilizing a ridiculous "French" accent.
For a hotel that is so large in size, I have no idea why the restaurant was smaller than my room at the Wynn. Tables were placed too close to other tables to the point where it was difficult to get seated without almost knocking the neighboring tables dinner. The decor was not that impressive, very similar to that of Cheesecake Factory. Although city search suggests this restaurant to be a "quiet and romantic" restaurant, I completely disagree it was also very loud, very similar again to the Cheesecake Factory. Our tables were with chairs with half armrests and wheels and the other two chairs were the only red office desk style chairs in the restaurant. The restaurant was very understaffed with waiters rushing and spilling drinks on our table. Although very strict over the phone about their dress code, looking around the restaurant I spotted t-shirts, Tommy Bahama shirts, and even JEANS!
As far as the food, the rabbit dish was a mess and lacked any flavoring. The filet mignon was very dry, overcooked, and had a rough texture. The escarcot had no taste flavor. The restaurant never brought out a wine list until asked several times to do so. This restaurant truly lacks professionalism and presentation! Horrible service for a $150 meal, I highly suggest ALEX at the Wynn instead.
Pros: slight view of Bellagio fountains
Cons: bad service, tables too close, extremly noisy, rude hostess, unprofessional
Posted 05/22/07
The restaurant is quiet, and cozy. Other's have mentioned that the tables are too close together- I didn't feel that at all.
The food was some of the best I've ever had.... try the chef's tasting menu: course after course of very small items, and at the end you're completely full and satisfied.
I visited with my dad, and although this is a "romantic" restaurant, I didn't feel uncomfortable- two men in a romantic restaurant can sometimes be uncomfortable. Not so here- the staff identified that this was dad and son and made us feel at home.
The service was outstanding. We never had to wait, or ask for anything.
For a $450 meal, it was everything that it should have been.
Posted 01/21/07
We were promptly seated for our 6 PM reservation. The ambiance of Le Cirque is quiet and cozy. The staff was very friendly. We selected the five course dinner with wine pairings. Each course was superb with beutiful presentation. The wine pairing with each course was perfect. The entire dinner progressed at a relaxing pace and not once did we feel rushed to finish a course. Feeling rushed is not something I would expect at $190 / person for our dinner selection. Overall, an intimate dining experience. The tables by the window are highly recomended for the view of the fountains, but the 2nd row tables are perfectly fine for this too.
Posted 04/22/06
What a fantastic, intimate venue, in the midst of the Las Vegas chaos! Such a beautiful room and the welcoming bartender was top notch, as were the drinks. Having said that, the food was just average. It had no sizzle or zing - just a nice presentation of boring food. My escarcot had no flavor, for example, somehing I've never encountered before. Service was just OK, and our party of 7 felt rushed, even though there were no other diners waiting. The real kicker - they served each of us a different desert -which WAS fun - but they didn't ASK first. I thought it was presumptious - especially at $200 a person.
Pros: atmosphere
Cons: average food, boorish service, value
Posted 03/14/06
Romance and intimacy are the words that best describe le cirque. After having been acoustically challenged by every other restaurant in the upscale hotels, the ambiance at Le Cirque was a welcomed relief. We hade made reservations at another restaurant, but after hearing the sound level, immediately were drawn to the quite and elegant appeal of Le Cirque. This is the only restaurant the truly measured up to its New York relative. Quality, service and tastes were preserved intact from the original venue.
Pros: ambience, taste, se
Posted 10/26/04
OK..here's the problem....the food was sensational...the tasting menu with wine pairing absolutely blew us away...the sauted foix gras and pear that was matched with a wonderful Sauterne was outrageous...each course was better than the one before..HOWEVER...the space is small..Osteria del Circo is next door and I think that Sirio got a deal for the space and carved it up into 2 restaurants...for example the Prime steakhouse (in the Bellagio) is at least 2-3 times bigger (and quieter..and more room between tables). So, while it wasn't overly noisy..the intimacy that you would expect was missing. However, the food was exceptional and the service..including the explanation of wine pairings for each course...was right on.
Pros: Food, Service, Creativity
Posted 07/17/04
The tables are so crowded together! I had to ask for a clean fork. The prix fix menu was ordered by three of us. They didn't ask how we would like our filet cooked...it came out medium well. It seemed as if many of the dishes were prepared ahead of time. Every time the wine steward took our bottle of wine from the ice bucket, he dripped water on my guests as he chugged, not poured the wine. I finally complained to him and his response was...don't worry it's only water. The staff was arguing throughout the evening in front of guests. Half way through our meal, a waitperson took a chair from our table because he needed it at another table (there were only three of us). So rude! Perhaps this was a bad night, however when you are paying $150 per person, this is inexcusable.
Posted 05/25/02
"I had such a wonderful experience here for my anniversary....or i would ..."
"This is class i love this place, service, food,drinks and the ambiance ..."
