Italian is one of America’s favorite food categories. In this month when so many celebrations and family gatherings are centered around classic American comfort food favorites, this might be the right time to go Italian and mix things up a bit. And this is absolutely the right place to do it.
A fantastic Italian restaurant has long been a crucial component for all the casino megaresorts lining the Las Vegas Strip, and the newest property on the Boulevard boasts one of the most exciting new restaurants to land in the city in years. Brezza (702.676.6014) at Resorts World Las Vegas offers the cuisine of veteran executive chef Nicole Brisson, and the menu splits the difference between classic dishes everyone craves and regionally specific, ingredient-driven creations you won’t find anywhere else. You can find an heirloom tomato caprese salad or a baby kale salad with figs and date vinaigrette, savory and spicy bucatini alla amatricana or seafood mezzaluna pasta with shellfish butter and fresh tarragon, a fantastic filet done Piedmont-style or pan-seared orata with caviar and crispy potatoes. This is one Italian restaurant that might change the way you eat.
When you think of classic Las Vegas cuisine, you can’t leave out Piero’s Italian Cuisine (702.369.2305). The old-school eatery near the Las Vegas Convention Center has been satisfying locals and visitors for generations, and while this is definitely the place to revisit all your favorite Italian dishes like meatballs, pasta fagioli, chicken or eggplant parm and rigatoni with Sunday gravy, chef Chris Conlon is spicing things up with some new twists and fresh flavors that are worth exploring. Try steamed mussels with white wine, garlic and Calabrian chili; beef short rib pizzaiola with cipollini onions and sweet peppers; or mushroom risotto with white truffle butter and Parmesan. You won’t regret reconnecting with this local dining icon.
Esther’s Kitchen (702.570.7864) has become everyone’s favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant, no matter what neighborhood you call home, and one of the best reasons to explore the Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. There are items on this menu simply too beloved to be altered, but this creative kitchen continues to push forward with thoughtful new dishes like rich chicken liver fegatini with balsamic and strawberry served with the house-made sourdough bread, beef cheek and red wine pizza with fontina cheese and mushrooms, ricotta gnudi with pistachio pesto, and a dry-aged New York steak with Gorgonzola greens and garlic potato gratin. Sorry to make your mouth water.
For that big-night-out feeling, hit Carbone (877.230.2742) at Aria, straight from New York City with all the flash and style you could ever desire. Tableside service adds plenty of dazzle to this dining experience, but this is a place of substance. The baked clams, spicy rigatoni vodka, veal Parmesan and lobster fra diavolo are all legendary. It’s tough to decide which signature to skip in order to make room for linguine and clams—Dover Sole done piccata-style, bright and spicy chicken scarpariello or the equally memorable cherry pepper ribs. And you can’t leave without a slab of tiramisu, cheesecake or decadent blackout cake. That’s just not an option.
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