I'm a sucker for afternoon tea, especially in the best American imitation of the British tradition. While planning this trip I went back and forth between the tea offered at the Four Seasons and at the Bellagio. Convenience and location tipped the balance in favor of the Bellagio, which was much closer to our base of operations at Encore than the Four Seasons. Once I'd made my decision, I approached the hubba and asked if he would mind very much my booking tea at Bellagio's Petrossian Lounge since we hadn't partaken of significant mid-afternoon sugar-laden gluttony since our October 2008 visit to the Gardenview Lounge at the Grand Floridian.
Jay, being the wonderful and tolerant hubba that is, agreed with no fuss or muss. I wasn't really surprised that he gave me the go-ahead; short of my suggesting we attend a specialty dinner comprised solely of popcorn and watermelon, Jay is nearly always willing to sample potentially good eats and is "comfortable enough with his masculinity to have tea with the wife."
And for the record ... I would never, ever, book a multi-course watermelon-popcorn dinner because I dislike those foods as much, if not more, than Jay. Learning of his aversion to watercorn and popmelon was the final bit of knowledge I needed while we were dating to be sure that he was the man for me ...
1) Likes cartoons in general and The Simpsons in particular? Check
2) Enjoys sitting around doing nothing and considers it time well spent? Affirmative
3) Loathes popcorn and watermelon and won't have them in the house? We Have A Winner!
Ahem.
Where was I?
Ah, that's right ... afternoon tea at the Bellagio. Had this been our first visit to the Petrossian Lounge we might have overdressed for the occasion because the hotel is supposed to be all fancy-schmancy. However, a few short years ago we met friends for drinks one night at the Petrossian and like many places in Vegas it's as dressy or casual as you choose to make it. They offer some fine drinks and a great selection of caviar, but we would like Petrossian much more if it weren't located just off the hotel lobby on the casino floor. It's difficult to fully enjoy or appreciate the ambiance they've tried to create when the noise and smoke from the casino intrude on all sides.
The front of the lounge looks out to the Bellagio's lobby and the main casino entrance - it features the bar and a beautiful Steinway grand piano which remains silent until about 6PM. There is additional seating, including cozy sofas and chairs and tables, along the outer perimeter of the casino and this is where the tea tables are set up. Seating is limited to about three or four tables, so if you're interested in a tea party call early and book your spot!
Extended seating area looking towards the lobby
Arched ceilings, stenciled vines, and Jay's head ...
Table for three ...
Our cozy table for two ...
The Petrossian Lounge only offers one afternoon tea service to choose from but guests are allowed to select four sandwiches, each, from a list of approximately eight, and they also select their own tea; guests also receive two scones and three yummy pastries to round out the meal. For a small ... large ... supplemental charge you may add champagne and / or caviar service to your tea. Had we not dropped the equivalent of two months mortgage payments at Joel Robuchon's the night before I might have been tempted to get some fish eggs and bubbly, but even I know when enough is enough.
The tea sandwich menu included the following options:
Finger Sandwiches: Smoked Chicken Waldorf Salad on Whole Wheat Bread; Smoked Turkey, Brie, and and Black Grapes on Cranberry Bread; Bayonne Ham and Gruyere Cheese with Dijon Butter on Rye Bread; and Chickpea Panelle, Roasted Red Pepper, and Green Olive Mayo on Spiced Bread.
Open-Faced Sandwiches: Classic Egg Salad topped with Quail Egg on White Bread; Alaskan King Crab Salad and Avocado on Brioche; Smoked Salmon topped with Caviar on Pumpernickel Bread; and Watercress, Mint Mousse, and Cucumber on White Bread.
As I previously mentioned, each guest also receives two freshly baked scones with a selection of clotted cream, lemon curd, and plain old boring butter. The tea concludes with three French pastries per person rather than trifle or strawberries and cream as we have been conditioned to expect by the chef and staff at the Grand Floridan. I loved Petrossian's tea presentation - all three segments of the meal were delivered at once on a triple-tiered serving stand. This made for a relaxing, slow-paced meal that we really enjoyed and we didn't have to finish all of one course before the next one was served. The staff was even gracious enough to box up those items that we just didn't have space for in our tummies and they provided a tasty breakfast the next morning.
I always feel like somebody's watching me ...
Coolest tea sandwiches ever!
Smoked Salmon, Smoked Turkey, Ham & Cheese, and Egg Salad
Why not three bowls of clotted cream?!?!
Scones ... biscuits ... damn they were good!
Dessert .... it's almost too pretty to eat.
The food was surprisingly good - we didn't really know what to expect from Petrossian when we arrived but everything was fresh, had good flavor, and was presented in a visually appealing manner. We also received very good service that wasn't at all intrusive - they left us alone at our little table to enjoy the offerings as long as we wanted and were attentive enough to refill our water glasses as well as our tea pots without our ever needing to ask.
While I don't think we would do this again on our next visit to Vegas, I'm glad that Jay was willing to give it a try with me. It was a relaxing break in the middle of a very cool, windy day and provided enough food that we didn't need to eat again for at least five hours ... unbelievable though that may be! Afternoon tea is offered from 2PM - 5PM and costs $35 per person - if you're interested in booking call the Bellagio and ask to speak with someone at the Petrossian Lounge. This is the best version of Afternoon Tea that Jay and I have had the chance to try so far - no one else has given us a deviled quail egg and caviar garnish with our tea sandwiches!
4 comments:
Oooo the sandwich with the salmon is soooo pretty!
Hi Abby - thanks for reading! I loved the salmon presentation - it was beautiful! And I also loved the dessert presentation but I guess that goes without saying! :-)
That looks deelicious! I what a great brunch that salmon sammie would be right now! That so kills GF offerings and the sandwiches look much tastier than what we've had here at Windsor Court. A big thumbs up on this one!
Gorgeous tea service!
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