It’s a couple of hours before the doors of Jasmine open, and inside the fine-dining restaurant, Connie Shin looks like she’s playing a solo game of musical chairs, as she bounces around from seat to seat. “Every once in a while, I like to sit in almost every chair in the restaurant, to feel and see what the guests feel and see,” Shin said.
As the assistant general manager of Jasmine at Bellagio, Shin oversees the staff, works in tandem with the manager and maintains the level of excellence in guest services that has earned the Cantonese eatery a solid reputation.
Shin, a native of Guangdong in southern China, knows the many facets of the cuisine, learned from her uncles, who are fine-dining and pastry chefs in China. When Shin moved to Las Vegas in 1995, she increased her knowledge by studying in UNLV’s hospitality program and also worked as a manager for four years at Fin at The Mirage. Her background has served her well since joining Jasmine. “Jasmine’s guests know what they want; they’re very particular,” she said. “I get to know my regular guests. Many of them from the Far East normally don’t look at a menu but rely on my recommendations.”
“Our reputation continually speaks for itself,” said Shin, who said Jasmine is situated on some of the best property in town. “Our view, it’s such an obvious choice; to be able to enjoy our meals right next to the Fountains of Bellagio—there’s nothing better.”
Kiss of the Dragon
Jasmine’s dining room is quite possibly one of the most beautiful and elegant spaces on the Strip. If you don’t have time for a full-on dining experience at Jasmine, pop by its lounge for small bites and specialty cocktails. One of the most popular cocktails is Kiss of the Dragon. The martini-style cocktail is mixed with Absolut Mandrin vodka, Nagomi yuzu syrup, rock candy syrup, muddled mint leaves, sweet and sour mix and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
Bellagio, 5:30-10 p.m. daily, Fountains Brunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sun. 702.693.8865
