After a couple weeks testing the water, the caviar bar at the Bellagio Buffet is here to stay.
"If we wouldn't have it here this weekend, people would complain," said Frank Ortiz, assistant buffet chef.
Diners can choose from black American sturgeon caviar, red flying fish tobiko caviar or salmon roe. All are available Fridays and Saturdays during regular buffet hours, 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., and are included in the $37.99 dinner price.
The Bellagio added the caviar bar to try to keep pace with its competitors. Caesars Palace recently debuted a new buffet and the Aria renovated its buffet.
Although buffets are all you can eat, the chefs recommend that customers take the caviar in small bites. To help novices, the chefs serve an appropriate amount on blinis and mini-waffles with traditional accompaniments such as chopped egg, red onions, chives or creme fraiche.
"We do have some people who come up with a bowl and want us to fill it up," Ortiz said. "But we like to respect the integrity of the dish."
