Jasmine Lunar New Year Dim Sum Brunch
Coffee, Rock Sugar
Fried Shrimp Egg Roll, Fried Shrimp Ball, Cheese Baked Bun, Traditional Egg Tart with Bird’s Nest, Cheese Tart, Baked Dinner Roll, Lotus Blossom Sesame Ball, New Year’s Pastry
Wok-Fried Green Beans with Shredded Pork, Wok-Fried Noodles with Bean Sprouts, Lup Cheng Char Siew Pork Glutinous Rice Wrap, Five Spice Braised Beef Brisket with Daikon, Seared Chicken and Mushroom Bun, Steamed Eggplant with X.O. Sauce
Shrimp and Scallops Bean Curd Roll with Sea Cucumber, Cheesy Black Truffle Scallop, Steamed Pork Ribs with Rice Noodles, Quail Egg Stuffed Mushrooms, New Years Coconut Sponge Cake, Sea Moss Scallop Dumpling, Pork Belly Dumpling, Har Gow Bamboo Shoot Shrimp Dumpling, Abalone Shui Mai, BBQ Pork Bun
Fish and Peanut Congee with Ginger, Honey Glazed BBQ Pork Char Siu, Roast Pork Belly, Soy Chicken, Roast Duck
Hong Kong Style Bubble Waffle, Crème Chantilly, Condensed Milk, Caramel, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries
New Years Coconut Sponge Cake, Sea Moss Scallop Dumpling, Pork Belly Dumpling, Har Gow Bamboo Shoot Shrimp Dumpling, Abalone Shui Mai, Fried Shrimp Ball, Traditional Egg Tart with Bird’s Nest, Lotus Blossom Sesame Ball, Cheese Tart
Vanilla Choux, Chocolate Choux, Caramel Choux, Double Raspberry Choux, Vanilla Macaron, Pistachio Macaron, Coffee Macaron, Raspberry Macaron, Guava Meringue Tart
Coconut Panna Cotta, Exotic Cake, Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Cake, Chia Seed Pudding with Fruit, Cherries, Pear, Rambutan
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 February 2nd to the 11th 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 second 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 and Bird’s Nest 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 replaced Walnut Prawns with Shrimp Balls while retaining previous favorites including Cheese Baked Buns and flaky Egg Tarts with Bird’s Nest.
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 plate two was enjoyed, the Braised Brisket a little tough but five other options all exquisite with special attention reserved for wrapped Pork and Sticky Rice that is just a touch sweet plus gently steamed Eggplant topped in vibrant X.O. Sauce.
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 again tasting Jasmine’s brilliant Sea Moss Scallop Dumpling, the explosive flavors only rivaled this year by Siu Mai given a big upgrade by way of tender Abalone which leads well into Nian Gao that is lightly caramelized such that a slight crackle gives way to sticky sweetness.
Sad to see Cordyceps Congee replaced by Fish and Peanuts, though both texture and taste remain refined, it was after a few Barbecue choices that all-new Bubble Waffles were tasted, the choice to grab pre-made segments or wait for fresh obvious to all but the impatient with the reward hot and fluffy beneath a selection of condiments including freshly Whipped Cream, Berries, Candy and four flavors of Condensed Milk.
Making another trip for favorites, a fresh tray of Sesame Balls better than the first thanks to more textural contrast, it was only Passion Fruit Shooters and Matcha Cake that were passed-up amongst Dessert choices, the Choux a bit mixed with some flawless and others a bit damp while Macarons, Guava Tarts and a narrow glass of Panna Cotta plus several fresh Fruits were all delicious.
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 New Year.
RECOMMENDED: Fried Shrimp Ball, Cheese Baked Bun, Traditional Egg Tart with Bird’s Nest, Lotus Blossom Sesame Ball, Lup Cheng Char Siew Pork Glutinous Rice Wrap, Steamed Eggplant with X.O. Sauce, New Years Coconut Sponge Cake, Sea Moss Scallop Dumpling, Abalone Shui Mai, Fish and Peanut Congee with Ginger, Honey Glazed BBQ Pork Char Siu, Hong Kong Style Bubble Waffle, Coconut Panna Cotta, Macarons, Chocolate Choux, Guava Meringue Tart.
AVOID: Five Spice Braised Beef Brisket with Daikon was tough and chewy, Baked Dinner Roll was largely flavorless.
TIP: Offered this year from 2/2/19 through 2/11/19, the $68.88 cost does not include tax, tip or beverages. 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
