Christopher Kyte, the owner of Uncommon Journeys, who happened to travel with us on this trip offered to buy us brunch today at Sadelle’s Cafe here in the Bellagio. Luckily he had made reservations as the place was surprisingly busy. The restaurant is located right adjacent to the lobby and conservatory which is normally decorated for the season with flowers and artistic displays. It is always a place that people want to see as they do a spectacular job of decorating. Unfortunately today the area was a shambles as workers had already removed the Christmas decorations and were now building a scenario featuring the upcoming Chinese lunar New Year so there was nothing to see except workers constructing the new scene. The hotel was nice enough to post pictures of what the area will look like when completed.

Later that afternoon we walked the strip past the old classic hotels like Caesars Palace, Mirage and Treasure Island which still advertised the volcano but the famed pirate ship battle is no longer! The famed Flamingo is still there, celebrating its 75th anniversary recently. Also Circus Circus is here and according to the locals is still as it was 50+ years ago!

Rather than eating at the hotel we decided to revisit an old favorite outdoor venue, Mon Ami Gavin, the French bistro in the Paris Hotel located right across the street from the Bellagio. Its lure is its French bistro menu and outdoor seating with first row seats to view the Bellagio fountain show. It was on the cool side but there were plenary of heaters to keep us warm as we dined on French onion soup, salad, shrimp  cocktail and bananas foster accompanied by some good French Sancerre, while watching the music & water display across the street. Not quite as nice as eating in Paris but a good second option!

More strolling on the boulevard after dinner including a mandatory visit to the M&M store to see all the goodies they offer. Located next door to a Legoland store both places were busy with families late in the evening.