Relax for a spell at Brera Osteria, where a pleasant patio setting in St. Mark’s Square in The Venetian means you’ll want to spend a little extra time hanging out.
If you happen to stop by late afternoon, take advantage of Aperitivo Hour (3-5 p.m.). First, please order a cocktail—not only are there delicious choices like the classic Aperol spritz and the intriguing Watermelon Wonder, with watermelon kombucha, Olmeca Altos plata tequila and apple cider, but also beer and wine.
Plus, snacks and small bites like marinated olives, charred cauliflower, and meatballs join pizzas like the Vince, with mozzarella, mortadella, burrata, pistachio and orange zest (the citrus adds a surprisingly perfect accent to the pie) and the margherita, with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte and oregano. They are perfect to lead into the meal.
And don’t let that little nibble deter you from ordering the squash blossoms to kick off your dinner. This tempura-fried appetizer is filled with three cheeses, while a Calabrian aioli adds a bit of heat. Continue with a salad and another cocktail like the delightful Rosa, a seasonal concoction with Octavio tequila and prickly pear, plus candied pineapple and a gold lollipop. The chop salad brings Castelfranco greens, romaine, kale, chickpeas, ricotta salata, salami and red wine vinaigrette together—ask to hold the salami if you are a vegetarian; the flavor is still perfect. You’ll find quite a few wine varieties here, not to mention a willing staff to help guide you to the perfect one.
Gnocchi
For your next course, I recommend indulging in the gnocchi. These potato dumplings come out an incredibly vibrant green, due to the arugula pesto, and with Reggiano cream and burrata, the flavor’s hard to beat. Cacio e pepe is also a simple, delicious option with housemade pasta, pecorino and Reggiano cheeses—and black pepper, of course. Pappardelle is a lush dish with hand-cut egg pasta, braised wild boar sugo and Australian black winter truffle. The tortelli is veal-filled with mushrooms and sage butter. For vegans, the Vegana includes garganelli pasta, cauliflower, tomatoes and basil.
The meat course includes a 14-ounce New York strip with roast potatoes, braised pork shank with Parmesan risotto, lamb chops with fregola and artichoke and roast chicken with Tuscan kale. Seafood choices include branzino and salmon, plus sea scallops with red kuri squash purée and crispy pancetta. And although it’s listed as a side, eggplant parmigiana is delicious even as a main course.
Having dessert and after-dinner drinks isn’t mandatory, but they do put an even happier ending on your night. Gelato or sorbet may be just the ticket to end your meal, as it is for me—choose from vanilla, pistachio, caramel or chocolate. Cap it off with a digestif, such as Lazzaroni amaretto, Galliano liqueur, Lazzaroni sambuca and Luxardo limoncello.
The Venetian, 702.414.1227
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