Opened in late 1998, Picasso had made Las Vegas history a mere three years later, in 2001, as one of just two restaurants in Las Vegas to receive the AAA Five Diamond award for three consecutive years. Even more impressive, it’s won it every year since, through 2007. Picasso is the whole package. It’s got a spacious room, beautiful views—both of the Fountains of Bellagio outside and the magnificent Picasso paintings inside—elegant seating, great service, lovely food and an intimate dining experience, despite the fact that the restaurant holds 34 tables. The Bellagio’s best areas are known for their great design, which combines a feeling of intimacy with spectacular views and lush landscaping. Picasso is right on the mark with all it has to offer.

Entering Picasso, which is snuggled away on the lower level of the Bellagio hotel, feels like entering a special place in the Mediterranean. The entryway itself is grand and features two light colored doors through which you'll enter, descending into a long though very entertaining hall at the end of which is the hostess station. To the left, artwork and framed photographs adorn the wall and to the right, a multi-component wine cellar greets you; above, there's upside down historic pottery of various shapes, Spanish in nature. We were told by one of the hostesses that this was designed after a chapel that had upside down pottery in its entryway. At the end of the hallway, the hostess station is adorned with a Picasso, lighted by two table lamps on either side, as well as the sconce and spot lighting that illuminate the entryway in general.