The Bellagio Hotel & Resort, the Italian-flavored resort-casino is at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South (888-987-6667), is on the infamous Strip. Dining is accelerated to a crescendo at Bellagio’s thirteen restaurants, which run the gamut from gourmet dining to easy informal meals.

For gourmet dining you can experience haute cuisine at Le Cirque, or at its sister restaurant, Osteria Del Circo. Chef Julian Serrano left his perch at the four-star Masa’s restaurant in San Francisco to open Picasso in Bellagio, probably the most beautiful restaurant in Las Vegas. MICHAEL MINA is a clone of one of San Francisco’s best restaurants, and is a seafood venue with a distinct blend of California and Mediterranean ingredients. Prime Steakhouse, which is overseen by Manhattan’s Jean-George Vongerichten, features the chef’s signature dishes such as crab mango salad with cumin crackers; an assembled tomato accented with basil oil; and entrees such as the house prime steaks that come with a variety of sauces from béarnaise to tamarind, or seven different mustards. For Asian meals, seek out either Jasmine, Shintaro or Noodles restaurants. (contributed by GraceAnn Walden)