Jasmine Lunar New Year Dim Sum Brunch
Coffee
Jasmine Tea
Pinenut Seafood Dumpling, Steamed Eggplant with XO Sauce, Treasure Taro Cake, Cheesy Black Truffle Scallop, Freshwater Eel Toast, Abalone Dried Oyster and Sea Moss Chicken Wrap, Seared Chicken and Mushroom Bun
Dried Scallop and Cordyceps Flower Congee
Peking Duck, Bao, Hoisin Sauce, Cucumbers, Spicy Szechuan Style Sliced Beef
Sea Moss Black Mushroom Siew Mai, Bamboo Shoot Shrimp Dumpling, Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun, Milky Puff Pastry Baked Bun, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Steamed Golden Oyster and Sea Moss
Maine Lobster Pastry, Coconut Rice Cake, New Year Puff Pastry, Cheese Tart, Cantonese BBQ Pork Bun, Treasure Taro Cake, Freshwater Eel Toast
Coconut Milk Soup with Taro and Yam
Lotus Sesame Ball, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Cucumber and Wood Ear Mushroom with Premier Soya Sauce, Jelly Fish with Shredded Pickled Cabbage, Seared Chicken and Mushroom Bun
Peking Duck, Bao, Hoisin Sauce, Cucumbers, Coconut Rice Cake, Cheese Tart, Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun, Milky Puff Pastry Baked Bun, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Almond Crisp
Milky Puff Pastry Baked Bun, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Rambutan, Vanilla Choux, Chocolate Choux, Caramel Choux, Pistachio Choux, Egg Tart, Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake, Mango Coconut Parfait
In the era of Social Media and Public Relations it is rare to see any sort of dining event kept “secret,” but for two weeks each year Jasmine at The Bellagio quietly opens its doors during daylight hours for a Dim Sum Brunch celebrating the New Year, first in a global sense and then to commemorate the Chinese version.
Unadvertised save for a colorful board outside the Restaurant, this year spanning January 25th to February 1st from 11:00am until 2:30pm, it is approximately fifteen minutes prior to opening 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.
Attended for the third consecutive year, a cost of $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 most guests stood to begin perusing some ninety choices spread across a variety of Buffet and Live Stations.
Truly a grand display, traditional Dim Sum and Chinese Barbeque lined up alongside items decorated in everything from Truffles to Abalone, 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 Pastry, Coconut Rice Cake and Purple Yam Mochi.
Moving slowly and eyeing variety, Shellfish and Sushi declined in favor of items less commonly experienced in such a setting, it was as a young woman played the guzheng that additional plates were enjoyed, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Freshwater Eel Toast and Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun all highlights necessitating repeat from a December visit.
Sipping Coffee, Jasmine Tea and Fiji throughout a ninety minute stay, The Fountains at Bellagio dancing outside floor-to-ceiling windows, cold Salads including Wood Ear Mushrooms with Premier Soya Sauce and Jelly Fish with Pickled Cabbage were both exquisite while Peking Duck with traditional condiments remains a must.
Focusing next on silver steam trays lining the center, left and right mirrored to create a seamless flow of traffic, it was as the fountains again danced outside that Sea Cucumber and Black Truffle each made an appearance prior to tasting Jasmine’s Treasure Taro Cake, the subtle flavors only rivaled this year by luxurious Dried Scallop and Cordyceps Flower Congee.
Eschewing last year’s Bubble Waffle experiment, which left room to enjoy Coconut Milk Soup with Taro and Yam and a few more Squid Ink Buns before Dessert, fans of Sesame Balls should not skip Jasmine’s stuffed with Lotus while Milky Puff Pastry, Choux and Cheese Tarts are all equally great ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
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, Steamed Eggplant with X.O. Sauce, Treasure Taro Cake, Sticky Rice with Chicken wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Freshwater Eel Toast, Cucumber and Wood Ear Mushroom with Premier Soya Sauce, Dried Scallop and Cordyceps Flower Congee, Squid Ink Custard Steamed Bun, Coconut Milk Soup with Taro and Yam, Maine Lobster Pastry, Lotus Sesame Ball, Cheese Tart, Purple Yam Mochi Pastry, Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake, Chocolate Choux, Pistachio Choux
AVOID: New Year Puff Pastry was dry, though perhaps that is intentional and thus an acquired taste.
TIP: Offered yearly from 12/25 through 1/1 and during the first week of Lunar New Year. Reservations recommended but not required and early arrival necessary 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
