Gambling is great, but that is not all Las Vegas has to offer. The dining scene here is international in quality and diversity. Las Vegas enjoys some of the best Italian restaurants in the USA. That is headlined by Tasting Table, a New York City foodie website, naming three Las Vegas Italian eateries on its 20 Best Italian Restaurants in the US.
I am going to add a couple of my old time favorites to this list. Reservations at all of these Italian restaurants are strongly encouraged.
THE THREE ON THE TASTING TABLE LIST
Brezza – Resorts World
Brezza is part of the dynamic dining scene at the newest resort on the Las Vegas Strip, Resorts World. Brezza bills itself as a great place for leisurely dinners – a comforting sanctuary in the go go go chaos that can be Las Vegas.
The kitchen is helmed by 2020 James Beard Semifinalist chef Nicole Brisson, a Vegas vet who sharpened her knives at the Wynn, Eataly, and Locale. The ingredients are fresh and seasonal, sustainable and the offerings constantly change.
The dry-aged tomahawk steak is a constant on the menu. Meanwhile items like Tuscan Carne Cruda (Filet Mignon with lemon capers and shallots) or the Beef Cheek Raviolo (with Parmesan, European butter and Aceto) take you down rabbit holes you’ll wish lasted forever.
Carbone – Aria
Carbone is the only restaurant chain named in the Tasting Table top 20 list. Not only is the popular Italian eatery at the Aria in Las Vegas, but also the original location in Greenwich Village in New York, plus additional locations in Miami, Dallas and Hong Kong. Each location is a hot spot in their home city.
For the Las Vegas location includes menu items that are, “…showcasing elevated classics such as Lobster Fra Diavolo, Chicken Scarpariello, Veal Parmesan and Octopus Pizzaiolo.” Each entre has an Italian base that is modern and creatively displayed on the plate.
But what really stands this eatery out is its over-the-top table side service, in fact attentive service is an absolute given. This is the high energy and dazzling spot on the list.
Esther’s Kitchen – Arts District
Esther’s Kitchen tops a lot of locals list for best Italian Restaurant. In fact it makes a lot of Best Restaurant in Las Vegas lists. Chef James Trees, a Las Vegas native, works Western US ingredients with classic Italian technique and it turns out something special. Just try their home made sourdough bread spread with basil ricotta with herbs and basil oil and you are immediately sold.
When you are ready, the Mafaldine Nero awaits, a masterpiece of Maine lobster, fennel, truffle butter and preserved lemon and you are awash with flavors. Too much? Try the Aussie Wagyu Beef Carpaccio or even the Roasted Bone Marrow.
TWO OF MY FAVORITES
The above three are wonderful, although there are probably a dozen other Italian restaurants in Las Vegas that feel slighted they weren’t named on the list. I can’t help that, but I would like to point out two of my own local favorites. They have great food, although not quite the world class of the above bunch, but they are sooooo Las Vegas.
Battista’s Hole in the Wall – Off Strip
Call it Battista’s. Call it Hole in the Wall. Whatever you call it this is a Las Vegas tradition churning out great Italian American classics since 1970. Think Little Italy in New York City or North End Boston. It is snuggled in an unprepossessing (always wanted to use that word) little group of shops behind the Flamingo and the Cromwell, so barely off The Strip.
Inside the walls (and ceilings) are covered with pictures of famous entertainers, odd memorabilia and an Alaskan Moose named Moooosolini.
Battista’s offers all inclusive meals. Main dishes run the Italian gamut of Lasagna, Sausage Cacciattori, Steak Pizzaiola, or Veal Marsala. Each order comes with Italian soup or salad, garlic bread, a pasta side, complimentary house wine and homemade Cappuccino. Just don’t forget to tip the wandering accordion player.
Capo’s Italian Steakhouse and Speakeasy – West Sahara
The food is good, but the atmosphere rules here. You walk to the entrance door and ring the bell. Suddenly a peep hole opens and a gruff “Wadya want?” challenges you. If you look okay a secret door behind the payphone opens to let you in.
Inside is dark and intimate with darker wood and red leather. A 1920s style jazz singer entertains the crowd while servers push drinks named Godfather while serving dishes called Da Don’s Lasagna, The Gallows with Clams (Fresh clams in the shell sautéed with shallots, garlic & fresh Italian herbs over linguini with red or white sauce) and Angels with Dirty Faces (Angel hair pasta with peas, mushrooms & pepperoni, tossed with Capo’s pink sauce).
What is your favorite Las Vegas Italian restaurant?
The Vagabond Horizon 