Julian Serrano, the first Las Vegas chef to have the honor of receiving the James Beard "Best Chef Southwest" award, is an exception chef, and his food is no doubt the star at Picasso, despite healthy competition from the restaurant's other amazing attractions, including the beautiful original Picasso paintings that adorn its walls or the fantastic Bellagio fountains that dance to music throughout the evening, visible outside on the patio or through the windows. Thanks to all three, a meal here is an experience you'll remember always. Picasso only serves dinner and only Wednesday through Monday. Executive Chef Julian Serrano's menu changes daily, as it is based on the freshest products he can find on the market that day. A sampling of what we saw when we were there is provided below. Chef Serrano is a year round, full time resident of his kitchen at Picasso where he is actually doing the cooking. In fact, he's cooking two separate menus, a four-course tasting menu and a five-course chef's degustation menu, complete with wine pairings.

Menu Degustation ($115): Maine Lobster Salad (with apple-champagne vinaigrette, paired with a 2006 Morgadio, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain); Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat Scallop (with fresh asparagus and a hollandaise mousse line, paired with a 2005 Henschke, Tilly's Vineyard, Barrossa, Australia); Sautéed Foie Gras (with roasted peaches, muscat vanilla bean jus and crushed roasted walnuts, paired with a 2000 Royal Tokaji, Tokaji Aszu, 5 Puttonyos, Mild, Hungary); Sauteed Filet of Halibut (with ragout of mushrooms, fava beans and corn, paired with a 2005 M Chapoutier, La Bernardine, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Rhone Valley, France); or Aged Lamb Roti (with sofrito, truffled mashed potatoes and au jus, paired with a 2005, Dominio de Tares, Baltos, Bierzo, Spain). A Sommelier's wine pairing is offered for an additional cost of $53. A cheese assortment, premium wine pairing or caviar are also available upon request.