Jasmine Dim Sum Brunch
Coffee
Peking Duck, Bao, Hoisin Sauce, Cucumbers, Cantonese Style Roast Chicken, Roast Pork Belly
Braised Chicken with Potato and Cloud Mushrooms, Wok Fried Baby Bok Choy with Garlic, Steamed Eggplant with X.O. Sauce, Soya Wok-Fried Egg Noodles
Seared Chicken and Mushroom Bun, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Shrimp + Scallop + Sea Cucumber Bean Curd Roll, Scallop stuffed Tofu with Black Bean Sauce
Ginger Chicken Congee
Miso Baked Sea Bass, Freshwater Eel Toast, Pinenut Seafood Dumpling, Cantonese BBQ Pork Bun, Bamboo Shoot Shrimp Dumpling, Traditional Pork Shumai
Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun, Peach Yogurt Tart, Maine Lobster Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Milky Puff Pastry Baked Bun, Cheese Tart, Seafood Salad Roll, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry
Herb Crusted Lamb, Prime Rib, Peking Duck, Bao, Hoisin Sauce, Shaved-to-order Prosciutto di Parma
Raspberry Macaron, Chocolate Macaron, Vanilla Macaron, Egg Tart, Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake, Mixed Berry Cobbler, Mochi
Vanilla Choux, Chocolate Choux, Caramel Choux, Raspberry Choux, Lemon Choux, Pistachio Choux, Lotus Sesame Ball, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry
Almond Crisp
In a city that hosts some 40-million guests annually it goes without saying that Las Vegas truly offers something for everybody, including at Christmas, and for those visiting The Bellagio there remains a secret beyond the beautiful conservatory in the form of a special dim sum brunch offered at Jasmine from December 25th through January 1st.
Unadvertised save for a colorful board outside the Restaurant, a second celebration taking place during the Chinese Lunar New Year, it is approximately fifteen minutes prior to an 11:00am opening of etched doors that guests begin queuing, never mind the fact that most have reservations but rather for the chance to sit with an unobstructed view of Bellagio’s famous fountains.
Billed at $68.88 per diner (and just $20.00 for children,) far lower than Jasmine’s equally splendid dinner, it was after seating by familiar staff including Connie Shin that four guests stood to begin perusing nearly ninety choices spread across a variety of Buffet and Live Stations.
Truly a grand display, traditional Dim Sum and Cantonese classics lined up alongside items decorated in luxury ingredients, it would not be long before most early arrivals returned to their table with plates full, fresh Oysters and Crab Legs a popular choice amongst the largely Asian crowd though many also gravitated towards a display of baked and fried Dim Sum that this year included Maine Lobster, Lotus Sesame Balls, dainty Cheese Tarts and Purple Yam Mochi in delicate Pastry.
Continuing till 2:30pm, even those with a prodigious appetite unable to sample everything from cold Salad with Jellyfish to succulent Prime Rib, one of 2019’s special attractions was the return of Peking Duck, a dish that can cost well over $100 at Blossom or China Tang here cut-to-order and all-you-can-eat with a bevy of traditional Condiments.
Including Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks and Fresh Juice in the price, with a substantial Wine List available to those interested, additional highlights include everything from hand-cut Prosciutto and Rack of Lamb to Congee, or made-to-order Noodle Soup, Silken Tofu and Clam Chowder for those so inclined.
Spending most of the time on Dim Sum, experts trained both domestically and in Macau producing a spread that changes subtly through the week, fans of steamed items will likely love Jasmine’s Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf as well as Scallop stuffed Tofu with Black Bean Sauce, though Har Gow and Shumai are each also available for traditionalists.
Continuing with Miso Baked Sea Bass and Freshwater Eel Toast, both new this year, it was upon finding Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun painted with gold that several were enjoyed, though not so many as to forget two more rounds of Peking Duck and crispy-skinned Pork Belly.
Opting for more Cheese Tarts, Sesame Balls and Steamed Buns with Dessert, but also tasting most of the options from Jasmine’s Sweets display, best bites predictably came from the same Macarons served at Le Cirque plus puffs of Choux, a flaky Egg Tart and rich Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake.
FIVE STARS: Although Las Vegas’ Dim Sum scene improved tremendously in 2018, both Mott32 and China Tang bringing their Hong Kong brands to Sin City, there remains no other time or place to experience such variety and quality as Jasmine during their annual celebration of the Christmas and Chinese New Year.
RECOMMENDED: Peking Duck, Roast Pork Belly, Steamed Eggplant with X.O. Sauce, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Scallop stuffed Tofu with Black Bean Sauce, Ginger Chicken Congee, Miso Baked Sea Bass, Freshwater Eel Toast, Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun, Maine Lobster Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Cheese Tart, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry, Raspberry Macaron, Vanilla Macaron, Egg Tart, Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake, Chocolate Choux, Pistachio Choux.
AVOID: Strawberry Mochi tastes like Starburst and the appeal of warm Seafood Salad is probably a matter of personal preference.
TIP: Offered yearly from 12/25 through 1/1. Reservations recommended but not required and early arrival likely to assure best seats.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.bellagio.com/en/restaurants/jasmine.html
