THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Payard Patisserie & Bistro

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Payard Patisserie & Bistro Restaurant Review:

This chocolate shop, pastry shop and full-service dining room is the brainchild of French pastry chef François Payard. The centerpiece of his Las Vegas venture is a floor-to-ceiling chocolate clock that displays nine different time zones and dispenses free truffles. The gleaming pastry cases reflect Payard’s expertise, as well as that of fellow pastry chef Gregoire Gourreau, who was hired away from Alain Ducasse's Mix in Las Vegas. We like the fruit tart, chocolate éclair and lemon almond tart. Sandwiches, cookies, five gelato flavors and made-to-order crêpes are also offered to go or to take to tables in a park-like area outside the pâtisserie. In the colorful 46-seat bistro designed by the Rockwell Group, visitors will spot hand-crafted woodwork, crystal, blown glass and leather banquettes, plus a full-service menu serving breakfast and lunch. Signature dishes include the croque monsieur, croque madame, and chocolate french toast with Nutella and banana. Among main plates, the Black Angus beef burger with green peppercorn sauce, house-made kettle chips and mixed greens is a winner, as is the chicken cocktail panini with arugula, tomato and Parmesan. Save room for the strawberry tart --- almond sugar dough filled with pastry cream and strawberries and garnished with Sicilian pistachios.