Eating Las Vegas: Olives

Posted by Dana McMahan on March 11, 2008

In my hunt for the perfect meal experience last week in Las Vegas the third time was the charm. I had scoped out menus at several restaurants on the Strip and particularly liked the offerings at Todd English’s Olives in the Bellagio. Its location overlooking the magnificent fountains in Bellagio’s lake helped nudge it into the top spot for our last dinner in the city.

I liked the dimly lit and intimate atmosphere as soon as we walked in. Servers were attentive to such a degree that they swapped the white napkins on the table for black when they scoped out the dark-colored trousers we all wore. That’s a nice touch I especially appreciated after I was left with a lapful of white lint on black pants at breakfast earlier in the week.

Our waiter scored off the charts for professionalism, personality and attentiveness, and expected the same from his assistants. While he answered questions another server poured my water, a little of which spilled on the table. Quietly but sternly he reproved the man (I don’t think he knew I could hear him — I’m a shameless public eavesdropper) and appropriated the water pitcher to pour it himself.

I knew from advance reading that I wanted the Tortelli Of Butternut Squash With Brown Butter And Sage, and I sipped a Bellini while we waited. The wait was most pleasant with the fountain show in the background and tasty little olive and tapenade snacks on the table.

Let’s talk about my dish now. I would fly back to Las Vegas just for that pasta. It was far and away the best food I’d tasted on this trip. Plump little pasta pillows filled with perfectly spiced butternut squash were bathed in a voluptuous brown butter and sage sauce, a sauce I would have slurped off my plate had I not been in public. Every bite was bliss. I ate slowly, the better to savor the perfect combination of flavors and textures. I can see why this is English’s own favorite dish. I am determined to make the recipe myself some weekend when I have hours to devote.

We spent a long leisurely time at dinner, never feeling rushed. When I told our waiter how much I loved the pasta he told us to stay put, and reappeared with a card, our ticket to a patio table overlooking the lake next time. Evidently the way to get a coveted outdoor table is to ask for his table, then call him at home to tell him we’re coming. I don’t know when I’ll be back in Vegas, but if you want to make a sure gamble, bet that I’ll be back. And I’ll be calling for that table.

TAGS: Las Vegas, Todd English
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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

Daddy said:

Love the web page. I think it is great your husband does not mind you traveling the country with out him. I think it would be great to meet him he sounds remarkable. Where did you ever find such a sweet man?

Does his cooking match that you found in Vegas?

Posted at 03:05 PM, on March 21 2008

2

Dana McMahan said:

Thanks! Believe it or not, I met him at WalMart ;)

We'll find out if his is as good when I have him attempt the butternut squash ravioli!

Posted at 03:10 PM, on March 21 2008

Eating Las Vegas: Olives

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