Circo Exudes Subdued Elegance

Osteria del Circo
Bellagio Las Vegas
3600 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas, NV USA 89109

http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/circo.aspx

Where is it?

The restaurant itself is located in the Bellagio casino. Once you reach the entrance to the Buffet, turn right (away from the Buffet) and head to the opposite end of the Casino. Circo will be one of the restaurants found in that part of the hotel.

Once inside, the bathroom is easy to find. From the front door, head forward, past the bar, and turn right into an enclave there. The bathrooms are in there.

What's it like?

This fantastic restaurant served me one of the best meals I've ever had -- and as a result I find myself incapable of talking about the place without discussing the meal as well.

The eatery itself is decked out in a circus theme, with tent folds hanging from the ceiling, walls, carpet and booths colored in sharp yellows and blues and paintings of clowns hanging in corners and above tables. By this description, it sounds a bit tacky, sure, but that's hardly the case -- the decor manages to convey the circus theme while also being elegant and subdued enough so that it's not pressing or intrusive. The focus here is on exquisite service and remarkable food, and that surely took center stage on my visit.

The menu itself is outstanding -- sort of a mix of hearty, well-prepared authentic Italian dishes (freshly baked breads, outstanding pastas and sauces, succulent roasted meat and fish) and seasonal ingredients. I had a five-course tasting menu here, with wine accompaniment (and yes, it was blazingly expensive, but then what isn't in Vegas?). I couldn't have imagined a better meal from a restaurant.

I started with an oyster appetizer, a mixture of seasonal northwest-grown specialties that were the freshest and tastiest I've ever had. They were followed by a grilled squid salad in which the charred flavor of the meat proved strong enough to season the greens on which the squid sat. That was followed by hand-rolled spaghetti (thick stands that were very dumpling-like, instead of thin strands) topped with complex bolognese and bechamel -- a pasta dish so overwhelmingly delicious and nuanced that the couple sitting next to me, who was arguing at the time, stopped talking completely after they took a bite of it (theirs, not ours, that is). Yes, it was THAT good.

That course was followed with potato-crusted salmon, which managed to highlight both the meatiness of the salmon and the delicate manner in which the potato was fried around it. That was followed by the house specialty, a roasted rack of lamb crusted with thyme and pecorino. The seasoning was pressed into the fat cap of the meat in such a way that the fat and crust became one and managed to infuse each bite of meat with the three flavors. It was the best lamb I've ever had.

Dessert featured an outstanding chocolate lava cake served over a marion berry compote and a vanilla-infused creme brulee that I couldn't stop eating, even though I was already full enough to burst at that point. Both desserts were served with an assortment of home made biscotti, chocolates and candies..... Utterly divine.

Each course was served by a friendly wait staff that explained both the composition and inspiration behind the dishes, and the sommelier came by before each course to ruminate about his accompanying wines. Service was laid back but attentive, and as a result I felt very much relaxed and at home here, despite the ever-present price tag. It was one of the best meal experiences of my life.

Naturally, after experiencing such a glorious meal, visiting the bathroom becomes a necessity. Circo's facilities do not disappoint, though they are not quite as perfect as they should be. The loos do not extend the circus theme, thankfully, but they are just as understated and ornate as the rest of the place's decor. The walls and floors here are covered in alternating lines of light and dark blue mosaic tile. Because of the uniformity of the tile work, the fixtures become all the more striking against them. The sink and vanity, consisting of metallic sinks, a clear glass counter and a giant mirror framed with dark wood, make a stark, elegant and inviting presence. The white porcelain urinals stand out on the walls almost like pieces of art. The toilets, each in solitary rooms instead of mere stalls, provide elegant, private surroundings in which to do your business. The sinks dish out a lovely hand soap and visitors can dry their hands here with plush cloth towels.

Given that, this is also a small restroom and because the restaurant is somewhat bustling it can make for a busy visit, especially for those seeking a longer, quieter visit. Also, the urinals could use some privacy blinds -- they tend to stick out a bit too much on the wall to offer a relaxed pee. Finally, I found some mis-thrown towels on the floor -- giving the impression that the place isn't policed by the cleaning crew as often as it should be.

Still, coupled with the outstanding menu and unique decorative and modern touches, it's still a fabulous place to visit and experience.

Marks out of 10:

9. Probably more deserving of an 8, but the food was soooooo good.......

Comments to the Management:

A few more passes by the cleaning crew would be nice, at least to pick up the towels on the floor. Also, you may want to consider adding a privacy blind between the urinals. Otherwise, it's a great bathroom.

Bellagio Bathroom Is Belisimo

Bellagio Las Vegas
3600 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas, NV USA 89109

http://www.bellagio.com/

Where is it?

This beautiful hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, known for its elaborate fountain show, has dozens of bathrooms in it. The one visited on this occasion was in the Spa Tower. To get there, do the following: From the front desk, go back towards the Conservatory, sticking to the left of it (go right and you'll end up at the hotel's casino). Continue walking, paste the 21-foot chocolate fountain and the waterfall-themed restaurant, Sensi, and head towards the Spa Tower elevators, which lead to the Spa Tower rooms.

Go past the elevators leading to the Spa Tower rooms, past the sundries store, and then go left at the crossroads in the hallway. This will lead you to a dead end, on the left side of which is the bathrooms. (If you go straight or right, you will end up in the hotel's convention center wings.)

What's it like?

Superb in every way.

The room itself is spacious and stretching but not so much to make you feel like you're in a cavern. Rather, the design here emphasizes privacy, with the sinks sitting just ahead of the urinals and the urinals sitting just ahead of the stalls -- a perfect situation, really, so no one can sneak any peeks.

Two sets of marble tile coat the spaces here. The floors are covered by two-color tile set in a modernist checkerboard pattern. The walls are covered with tile featuring streaks of beige and off-white. It's stately, elegant yet not off-putting -- essentially, you feel like you're in a museum but you don't mind leaving your mark.

The sink area features elegantly framed mirrors above each station, along with automatic faucets that stream warm water and automatic soap dispensers, along with easy-to-reach paper towel (thick ply, of course) at every stop. The toilets are immaculately clean and all automatic flush -- and, thanks to the thick divider walls, you feel isolated inside them and free to go about your business at leisure, even if the place is packed.

Best yet, these bathrooms cater mostly to those entering or leaving the hotel's convention center, so they get little traffic. Also, they are somewhat tucked away and unless your convention hall area is nearby or you feel the need to go after leaving the sundries shop, you will probably never visit this bathroom.

Marks out of 10:

10.

Comments to the Management:

Keep up the good work. This is one of the hotel's true hidden treasures.

Shocker: Hip, Stylish Restaurant Houses Hip, Stylish Bathroom with Broken Trashcan!

The World Beat Cafe

3700 N. Wickham Rd.
Melbourne, FL USA 32935

http://theworldbeatcafe.com

Where is it?

Easy to find in theory, but a bit tricky to find in practice. From the front entrance, head to the left, past the front of the dining room. Once in the upper left corner of the place, head back a little, towards the rear of the place, and you'll see a small hallway opening on your left. Go through there to find the bathrooms.

Having said that, the dining room here is filled with distractions, from artwork built into walls to tables and booths made of wavy lines instead of straight lines to plates of food with attention-getting presentations. Keep focused on the destination if you're in a hurry, otherwise you may end up in a spot of embarrassment.

What's it like?

This energetic modern-fusion tapas bar, set in the northern part of Melbourne, bustles with hip energy -- not quite as manic or bohemian as Cafe Tu Tu Tango, its competitor and a seemingly major influence on the place -- but still enough to make it a place for socialization, not for a quiet evening for two. The menu is kind of hit or miss, some items being excellent (the Cuban black bean soup is outstanding) and others missing the mark completely (I wasn't prepared for the overly sour avocado egg rolls, for example -- ick).

The bathrooms tone down the loudness of the dining room some while still adhering to the place's somewhat stylish vibe. Classy off-white tile covers the floors and rust-colored wall paper coats the walls, giving a chic hue to the surroundings and making the everything in it feel a touch more sophisticated -- even the generic white porcelain sink and toilets. And the place is spacious and clean for the most part: My visit was on a busy Saturday evening and while there were a few splotches of spilled water on the floor by the sink and a few paper towels tossed about, I didn't see anything unforgivable. Clearly the bathroom is policed regularly by the cleaning crew.

The only setback (and perhaps the reason why there were paper towels on the floor) was the trash can. It's one of those metallic cylinders they sell at Bed Bath and Beyond, with a flip-up top that opens when you step on a floor pedal. Well, the floor pedal wasn't working, and thus the flip-up top wasn't flipping up and if you wanted to throw anything away, say the paper towel you used after washing your hands, you had to lift the lid with your freshly scrubbed hands to get it in the can..... Kind of negates the thought of returning to your table with clean hands, doesn't it? Given that, it makes sense why there were towels on the floor -- I imagine people would prefer that option than having to return to their tables to nosh on finger foods with hands that had just opened a trash can lid, so you really can't blame them......

Marks out of 10:

7. Almost and 8, except for....

Comments to the Management:

Time for a new trashcan, don't you think? According to the Bed Bath and Beyond website, they sell for just under $40, which isn't too bad, if you think about it.

Bathroom Decor Indicates Small Town Diner Doubles as Harley Davidson Hangout

Town House Restaurant
9 E Broadway St
Oviedo, FL USA 32765

Where is it?

The dining room here is shaped like an "L." So from the main entrance, head to the cashier (the counter is fixed into the apex of the "L") and then go left until you hit the back wall. A small door leading to the bathrooms (which are located in a small hallway behind that door) can be found there.

What's it like?

This is one of the better diners in the Orlando area, thanks to its no nonsense menu, great service, unpretentious decor and many regular customers -- all of which makes you feel like you're always welcome here. The restaurant itself is set in the dead center of Orlando suburb Oviedo, the the awkward crisscross of the streets outside often make for a few parking complications (especially on weekends, when the church goers of the area bombard the place after services finish). Still, it's worth suffering some road rage for this place. The decor is filled with community-based items like kids' drawings and softball team pictures (they sponsor a team, of course) and the menu offers plenty of well-prepared and affordable comfort foods, as well as an assortment of decent Greek items (thanks to the Greek family that now owns it).

Given that, you'd expect the bathrooms to be modest little spots that exude the same cozy, comfortable feelings as those expressed in the dining room.

But no!

The bathrooms (at least the men's room) are decked out in Harley Davidson colors -- and not in a subtle way. Matted orange paint covers the walls. Light gray tile covers the floors. Weathered white tile covers the lower walls and the areas around the white porcelain sink and urinal. There's even a huge Harley emblem on one wall!

Clearly this homey restaurant has a darker side to it. And maybe it's wholesome church-going clientele isn't as innocent as it seems...... Or maybe the owners of nearby Bill's Elbow South (once a neighbor of the Town House before it moved to the Oviedo Market Place) helped them design the loos here?

Hmm.....

Anyway, it's clean and orderly for the most part, save for a bit of unique tile work (see picture to right). The urinals are of the old variety, which stretch to the floor (instead of being mini-toilets). The sink and stalls, as well as the tile work, are a bit weathered, and the bathroom itself is a touch on the narrow side (almost like they tried to revamp it some and settled on painting it instead), which could make it a tight fit if more than one person were waiting for the urinal at a given moment.

Marks out of 10:

7. While the Harley decor has its appeal and interesting notes, the place could still use a bit of a makeover. So it's just barely a 7.

Comments to the Management:

Perhaps it's time to get new fixtures and tile, just to go along with the new paint job. May I suggest black sinks?

Bar's Bathrooms Anything But Sporty -- Especially During Slow Lunchtime Rush

Sanford Ale House
50 Towne Center Circle
Sanford, FL USA 32771

http://www.alehouseinc.com

Where is it?

From the entrance, go left, past half of the dining room, then the bar, then the high-top tables behind the bar, and then head to the back corner, past the pool tables and high tops behind the bar, until you reach a small wall dividing the dining room and the waitress stations. Go behind the dividing wall and head left (go right and you'll find the soft drink fountains) and you'll find the bathrooms there.

What's it like?

This sports bar chain has several locations in the area. It's a semi-rowdy place that's a big hit with sports fans, especially the college football fans of the area. Inside, the place is styled like a classic New England pub, filled with wooden floors, a well-polished, enormous wooden bar in the center, plenty of wooden tables and high-tops and a vast array of TVs and beer signs on the walls. The food is decent enough, though at times its too greasy (I always feel like I gained 10 pounds when I leave the place), and their wings are some of the better in town (at least from a chain's point of view -- my vote still goes to Tom and Money's, which has been renamed something else of late, I hear, and Hurricane Wings, which will be reviewed in the coming weeks).

Given that this is a place where sports guys and frat boys tend to congregate, you can imagine that the bathrooms are an utter mess. And they are. If you think about it, the patrons usually come here to fill up on beer and junk food, so pit stops are inevitable, especially since most visits are for a minimum of three to four hours (given that's the average length of a football game). As a result, you can expect some wear and tear from the bathrooms.

Design-wise, the loos themselves are nothing special: Small rooms with four toilets in all (two urinals, two commodes) with green linoleum on the floor, a green vanity counter, and white tile on the walls. Little wall decor or any other bit of sports bar personality can be found here (clearly the designers haven't been to the Celebration Town Tavern, where this sort of decor is done well).

In terms of overall cleanliness: On the whole, the city's Ale Houses manage to keep things a little tidy on the bathroom front (like the one on University -- still unreviewed -- or the one by the airport -- also unreviewed). The Sanford one was messy as hell however -- a point made all the more disappointing since my stop was during lunch on a weekday, not during any sort of game. Worse still, it was a very slow lunch rush indeed.

I found spilled water everywhere, paper towels and toilet paper covering the floor, mis-sprayed urine on toilet seats and a funky, immensely strong stink of pee in the air. Certainly not very sporty, to say the least.

Mind you, I might expect the loos here to be in this condition after this year's big Florida-LSU night game, as 250 Gator fans no doubt sought to purge the sorrow they felt when they're team lost it in the final minutes by drinking mass quantities of cheap beer and then hitting the head en mass. But not on a slow lunch on a weekday, with maybe 50 patrons in the place tops.

Marks out of 10:

4. Almost rated a 5 but the fact that the place wasn't busy and still managed to be the dirtiest Ale House restroom I'd visited dropped it down a notch.

Comments to the Management:

I understand that bathrooms can't always be monitored when the place is busy, but that mentality certainly doesn't apply when the place is empty. In down times, get someone in there to tidy up a bit. Also, bring some extra air freshener, like Sebastian's Country Ham N Eggs does.