Sensi - a Feast for the Senses Las Vegas Style

There are a number of fine dining options to choose from while guests and gamblers alike walk the halls of the opulent Bellagio Hotel. Circo, Le Cirque and Prime Steakhouse are among the more well known restaurant favorites. Perhaps it is a consequence of the hotel's luxurious reputation that several of the casual restaurants housed within the Bellagio would be considered an elegant dining option at other locales. One such restaurant is Sensi, featuring an eclectic array of international cuisine certain to exceed your aesthetic and culinary expectations.

It would be easy to accuse Sensi of trying to distract from an ordinary menu by sprucing up the exterior and interior décor of the restaurant. Though initially understandable, this assumption is highly misplaced. If anything, by greeting patrons with a lovely waterfall affect at the restaurant entrance, diners are quickly made aware that there is nothing ordinary about Sensi. Inside, the carved stone walls and warm lighting give Sensi an earthy, welcoming tone, which may contribute to the faulty notion that it is a casual restaurant.

Yet for all of the talk of Sensi's gorgeous appearance, a restaurant can not survive on looks alone. This fact is not lost on Head Chef Martin Heireling, who introduces Asian and Italian fusion entrees with a level of approachable sophistication rare in high end cuisine. My taste buds happily received the braised veal, the perfect tenderness of which left me utterly speechless. The rice, cooked to an al dente texture with stir fry flair, was a wonderful compliment.

Depending on your preference, most great meals must have an exquisite wine to go with it. The sommelier at Sensi was incredibly helpful aiding my navigation of the bold and unique wine list. Those vinophiles accustomed to selecting their reliable favorites will be in for a welcome surprise when sifting through the extensive, well thought out list. I, too, have my standards but trust me, your palate will thank you for your leap of faith.

When visiting Las Vegas, it is important to arrive with a sense of whimsy. A carefree attitude may get you into trouble while gaming but not while dining, at least not at Sensi. The diverse menu and inimitable atmosphere make it a required culinary experience.