I’m a big fan of Giada De Laurentiis, such a big fan that I signed up for her newsletter, which sends recipes and stories to your email. But if you’re in Vegas and don’t want to wait until you get home to get a little Giada in your life, reserve a place at brunch (or dinner) at her eponymous restaurant.
This venue was De Laurentiis’ first restaurant in Vegas and, indeed, anywhere, when it opened in 2014. The décor and cuisine captures The Food Network star’s heritage—during her early childhood years, she spent a lot of time in her filmmaker grandfather Dino De Laurentiis’ Italian restaurant and her later years in Southern California. You’ll find light colors and comfy seating surrounded on two sides with soaring windows that overlook the Strip and Flamingo Road. Scattered about are framed posters paying homage to her famous grandfather’s most famous films.
If you are booked for a weekend brunch, fabulous! The brunch menu features a range of delicious cocktails and breakfast dishes with a California twist, like the lobster hash with sunny-side up eggs or the salmon Benedict, with wilted spinach, poached eggs, piquillo peppers and a prosecco Hollandaise. The Sunrise polenta waffle is accented with béchamel sauce, sunny-side up eggs and pancetta. Brunch also provides some heartier options, from hazelnut chocolate chip pancakes to a grilled cheese with lemon pesto and heirloom tomatoes. Having indulged in that sandwich numerous times over the past few years, I can attest to how delicious it is.
And having also indulged in dinner numerous times here, I can give the huge thumbs up on both the bucatini with Calabrian chili and the cacio e pepe. But you can’t go wrong with any of the pasta. If you are a lobster fan, try the ravioli. And Giada’s signature lemon spaghetti features shrimp, mascarpone, lemon and basil—now that really feels like it represents California.
If you need a meatier entrée, try the Italian fried chicken, cacciatore style; the branzino with pomegranate glaze; the 28-ounce bone-in Tuscan ribeye with a sunny-side up egg or risotto with crab and scallops.
For a lighter dinner, try the salmon with ricotta cavatelli, fava beans and Meyer lemon. Cap that off with the smashed, fried lemon potatoes.
If you notice a trend of dishes with lemon, it’s true—the menu is liberally anointed with the citrus, even down to possibly the most signature of Giada’s signature dishes—the lemon ricotta cookies. You can choose from several desserts to end your meal, from sorbets and gelato to the decadent chocolate hazelnut crunch cake. But get Giada’s favorite cookies, and an espresso, and you know your night will end right.
The Cromwell, 855.442.3271
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