A bonsai tree constructed from chocolate holds a beautiful cake creation from Jean Philippe Patisserie at Aria Las Vegas.

You know from past posts how much we love desserts and sweets and pastries (oh my!) so we were pretty excited to visit famed pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s newest location.  His fabulous new shop is inside ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter.   Located in a prime casino-side spot, this new cafe/patisserie features all the yummy desserts we love from the Bellagio pastry shop as well as lots of gourmet sandwich, salad and beverage choices.  A huge gelato case tempts with a number of flavors both traditional and offbeat.  There is plenty of seating available and the cafeteria-style line moves quickly.

In addition to the cafe, the spot features a retail shop selling Jean-Philippe’s exquisite line of custom chocolates, chocolate sauces, handmade marshmallows plus many other goodies perfect to take home as gifts — or as a sweet reminder of your trip!

Not to miss: A number of Chef Maury’s amazing cake creations plus a dazzling array of chocolate flowers in a glass-enclosed display case are highlights of the cafe’s fun decor.

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Luscious daisies made from dark, milk and white chocolate at Jean-Philippe.

Picture-perfect pastries at Jean-Philippe at ARIA Las Vegas.

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Sliced apples atop perfect puff pastry from Jean-Philippe at The Bellagio.

As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the Strip in Las Vegas, it’s kinda’ nice to also find a quiet spot and just kick back, relax and soak in the atmosphere.  If you’ve been reading this blog, you know of my fondness for all things sweet — be it a five-star dessert, a humble cookie or a morning pastry — so it will come as no surprise that this little respite from the action included a visit to Jean-Philippe Patisserie at The Bellagio.

While P.B. was enjoying breakfast and the newspaper back at our hotel’s all-day café, I took a walk over to Bellagio to see the latest transformation of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, pick up a light breakfast and simply enjoy the morning.

I’m really not a “big breakfast” eater; I tend to want to go back to sleep if I indulge too much.  For that reason, a stop at Jean-Philippe is perfect for me.  I ordered a double latte and the sliced apple pastry and, as always, the pastry was delectable.

I got my items to go, hiked down the hallway a bit and found a comfy little spot with a table and chairs where I could enjoy a view of the pool area, the luxurious Bellagio surroundings and my perfect little breakfast.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated in color and form at The Bellagio gardens in Las Vegas.

After lingering over breakfast, I visited the Bellagio’s indoor gardens which were decorated in vibrant tones of lucky red and gold for the Chinese New Year festivities — a design that will be on display through February 28.  In addition to this colorful figure perched atop his mountain of gold coins, the garden designers paid homage to The Year of the Ox by creating a sculpture of the beast out of what looked like boxwood.  Any time of year, the garden is always a must-see on my Las Vegas list.

A note about Jean-Philippe:  There can be an imposingly long line at the counter but be aware that the queue moves very quickly and you’ll have your order in no time.

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The alluring pastry case at Payard Patisserie at Caesars Palace.

Making a visit to Payard’s exquisite bakery at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas takes on Holy Grail-like overtones because this place is NOT easy to find.  My advice — save yourself a lot of time and shoe leather and just ask any hotel employee to point you in the right direction.  (It’s at the back of the resort near the Café Lago buffet.  Look for the caramel-toned lighting and chocolate-colored curlicues facing the walkway.)

Once you do find it, you’ll be presented with two options for dining – either the casual counter-service-only café or the adjacent tiny jewel box of a restaurant.  The timing may decide for you since the café is open from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. while the bakery counter serves from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.  Either way, you can rest assured that the fabulous pastries and desserts are on both menus.

And fabulous is not an overstatement when it comes to Monsieur Payard’s artistic pastries and sweets.  Winner of numerous “Best Pastry Chef” awards, Francois Payard proves his culinary mettle in every buttery croissant, velvety mousse and perfectly-constructed tart and gâteau on the menu.   Our favorites include the lush Maple Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote, the classic multi-layered Raspberry Napoleon and the sophisticated Vienne with its masterful blending of dark chocolate, orange and caramel. 

Dessert flavors extend to the decor at Payard with its caramel-toned lighting.

Since man cannot live by dessert alone (well, you could but probably shouldn’t) Payard Patisserie offers breakfast fare including omelets and quiches plus a lunch/light dinner menu of sandwiches and salads including a Tuna Nicoise salad that will remind you why this is one of France’s most beloved dishes.  For a heartier appetite, the Roast Beef Panini on authentic ciabatta with caramelized onions is robustly flavored while the accompanying house-made spicy potato chips are addictive. 

In addition to the café and bakery, there is a retail store stocked with boxes of luxurious handmade truffles and candies as well as Payard’s signature gift baskets to take home.

Where:  Caesars Palace

Hours:  Breakfast: 6:30am to 11:30am
              Lunch: 11:30am to 3pm
Pastry Counter: 6:30am to 11:00pm
Retail Store: Tue-Fri 6:30am to 11:00pm
Retail Store: Sat-Mon 6:00am to 11:00pm

Reservations: Tel.  877-346-4642

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Exquisite pastries at Jean Philippe at The Bellagio.

One of the best things about going on vacation is being “allowed” to suspend your diet for a few glorious days.  I can’t think of a better reason to do this than Jean Philippe Patisserie at The Bellagio.

If you’re like me – a desserts lover, sweets fanatic, pastry aficionado - then a visit to this shop will be an “OMG” moment for you.  Peer into the cases and try to choose just one dessert!  Should it be the fruit tarts sporting an array of seasonal gems or the nearby raspberry tarts with their pyramids of precariously perched ripe red specimens?  Even carrot cake – that most democratic of flavors – is redesigned in sexy orange fondant. 

Need more temptation?  There are chocolates and myriad other candies, cookies and croissants, Danish and brioche, gelato, made-to-order crepes, and several variations on chocolate-covered strawberries. (They also offer salads and sandwiches for those who think chocolate isn’t one of the four main food groups.)  And be sure to check out the intricate Willie Wonka-style fountain featuring an “only-in-Vegas” display of creamy milk, dark and white chocolate cascading over a variety of crystal shelves.

Jean Philippe's mesmerizing chocolate fountain.

The shop is small so grab your goodies from the counter, exit the shop and take a right toward the back of the corridor.  There you can snag a table near the windows that look out over The Bellagio’s lush pool area.  It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a little people-watching while snacking on some truly outstanding sweets.

Location:  The Bellagio.  Go through the main reception/registration area of the hotel and take the hallway on the left, past the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.  Jean Philippe will be on your right just across from the hotel’s gift shop.

Hours:  Monday to Thursday – 7 AM until 11 PM   Friday to Sunday – 7 AM until Midnight

The luscious Chocoban features chocolate, caramelized banana and hazelnut - perfect paired with a cappuccino.

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