The Petrossian Bar at The Bellagio

Join Us for a Quick Drink Even Though You Have No Idea Who We Are... (4/24/08)

You're all probably familiar with the refrain by now ... people on the internets are weird and scary and you'd be better off never meeting any of those wack-jobs in person because they can't be trusted and will undoubtedly steal your identity, kidnap your children or pets, and bend your ear for hours with the latest conspiracy theory involving members of the United Nations Security Council, a herd of randy goats, and some very incriminating photographs.

But then I started to think a little ... I've met some people from the internets who seem like very nice people and not only were they not stalker types but they also didn't poison our food at dinner on that last Disney Cruise. So, my thought process ran, if those people all turned out to be good eggs then wouldn't it stand to reason that Jay and I weren't weird and scary either?

**The jury is still out on that question**

Well, we were about to find out just how weird and scary we might or might not be at the Petrossian Bar where we were scheduled to meet up with a couple from another internet site - to be honest I'm a latecomer to that forum, but Jay's been a member for some time and everyone there seems to like him just fine even if he is married to a rather bizarre, somewhat anti-social woman with a silly sense of humor.

We suggested the Petrossian Bar because of its location - the Woos (as we like to call them) were staying at a hotel near the Bellagio and Mr. Woo had recently had surgery on his knee. A bar within easy walking distance was good for them and it gave us a chance to try something new in a Vegas hotel that we'd never even bothered to spend money at because it was obvious that we couldn't afford anything there anyway!

A little bit of info on the bar, taken directly from the Bellagio's website: Petrossian opens every afternoon to share a bit of European flavor with guests in the form of a traditional Afternoon Tea Service from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Come sit and enjoy open faced sandwiches, English tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, Baxter’s preserves, assorted miniature pastry delicacies- and, of course, teas imported from around the world.

Indulge in a splendid evening with live music from the one-of-a-kind Steinway grand or relax on one of the velvet couches that overlook the casino. In either case, the elegant Petrossian gently sets the mood for sophisticated tastes and discerning palates. There is so much to experience at Petrossian Lounge: the house made infused cocktails, the vodka sampler, premium cigars, smoked salmon and caviar or afternoon tea. An epicurean’s delight, Petrossian Bar is the ultimate respite for enjoying the finer things in life.

Well, here's the thing about the Petrossian Bar, at least as far as Jay and I were concerned: it looks lovely and quiet and refined, especially on the hotel's website. But in person it's kind of small and it's open to the hotel lobby on one side and the casino on the other. It's not quiet and it's extraordinarily difficult to hold a conversation without shouting at members of your party. And let's just not talk about the smoke ... except to say that you'd think an upscale establishment like the Bellagio could figure out a way to circulate and clean the air in their casino so as not to make the non-smokers feel like they're being poisoned by WWI mustard gas.

And as much as I would love to try afternoon tea here, with all the noise and smoke from the casino it's never going to happen. The Petrossian Bar would be much better if it were tucked in a distant corner of the hotel somewhere far away from the clamor and stench of the casino. It has the potential to be such an intimate, cozy little hideaway, but perhaps that sort of thing doesn't go over in Vegas. ;-)

Despite the crowd the Woos found us, or we found the Woos, or we all found each other with no trouble at all and soon secured ourselves a table and some comfy chairs in the lounge. We spent a few minutes perusing the menu and then made our selections and got to know each other in the "real" world. Mr. and Mrs. Woo are a delightful couple - very friendly and very genuine and we really enjoyed spending some time with them.

Considering where we were, the mixed drinks were not badly priced. For a mere $12, I ordered the Bellagio Cocktail: Rotari Italian Sparkling Wine, Alize' Red Passion, and Passion Fruit Puree'. For the same price Mrs. Woo ordered the Bella Peach: Absolut Peach Vodka, Creme de Casis, Fresh White Peach Puree', Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, and Cranberry Juice.

Brenda's Bellagio Cocktail - pretty but not too sweet!


Woo's Bella Peach - It looks Peachy; it tastes Peachy; it is Peachy!


And for the bargain basement price of $8, Jay ordered himself a Spaten Franzikanier Weisse: An unfiltered wheat beer with a naturally cloudy appearance. According to the menu description it has a crisp refreshing taste with a hint of clove. I did take a taste of this and thought it was pretty good but I think it would have been better with a slice of lemon! On a side note: where else can you go besides the Bellagio to have your suds served in a pilsner glass that matches the beer bottle's label?

Mmmmm, Beer!


Mr. Woo was the only one among us to avoid alcohol - someone had to stay sober and operate the picture taking machines! He ordered lemonade ... that cool, refreshing drink!

Hey, can we have that lemon slice for the beer?


In the short amount of time we had before parting ways ... us to gorge on one final Vegas meal and the Woos to hit a nickel slot jackpot (dare I say WOOHOO?) ... we took a few pictures to remind us of how pleasant it is to speak with people face-to-face rather than via email and discussion forums.

Mr. and Mrs. Woo ... so cute!


We're looking forward to an orderly meal that will eliminate the need for a violent feeding frenzy.


Woos and Mengs: none of them seem weird and scary ... well, except for that chick with the glasses.


And sadly that was that; our hour was gone and it was time to part ways. Jay's aunt and uncle were waiting to pick us up outside the hotel to whisk us away to the Venetian and the Woos were meeting some other friends for the evening. No lie ... about five minutes after we left, Mr. Woo hit a jackpot on a nickel slot machine! Is that cool or what? It's always nice to know that good things do happen to good people!