Italian on the Strip

[Brett Stevens]

I'm headed to Vegas in June and we're trying to identify which italian restaurant we should eat at for one of the nights.

I've heard good things about Il Mulino at the Forum Shoppes, and I've eaten at the location at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. It was very good.

I've been trying to get into Rao's in Harlem for years, but haven't yet had any success. Has anyone eaten at the Rao's at Caesars Palace? What's the verdict?

I've had Fiamma at MGM Grand and Maggiano's (very reasonably priced!) at the Fashion Show Mall. Both were very good.

Crowd is going to be 3 guys and 4 girls - all young-to-mid twenties. What do you guys suggest for a Sunday night Italian dinner?

[poorbob]

I was told Scarpetta at Cosmo is great, but I haven't been there yet. Apparently the tomato basil spaghetti there is awesome.

[smartone618]

I agree with Maggiano's... I like it a lot!

[Rescuediver]

Can't really help you but I can offer this....why Maggianos? Its a chain restaurant that you can have anywhere. I would go for something thats going to be different.

[smartone618]

Chain... yes... but it's not like they're on every corner in every city or town and I think they are a little bit special. Most states only have 1 or 2 and many states don't have any.

They do an outstanding job IMHO. I've eaten at the downtown Denver location and of course Las Vegas. Their location in Vegas is outstanding with a great view of the Wynn property.

[Brett Stevens]

I've been to Maggiano's in Vegas twice already, so I'm not really looking to eat there again. I was merely giving some background to help influence some other recommendations.

The reason it's always been a consideration is because it is actually really good food and the prices are the cheapest you're going to find in Vegas for a nice Italian dinner. The elevated restaurant with a view of the strip is an added bonus, and the service has always been great.

Recommendations like Scarpetta are on the right path - I'm looking for a swanky Italian place where we can keep it below $75 a head for dinner. Ideally somewhere I haven't tried before.

[smartone618]

If you decide to go slightly off the Strip with your group, Farraro's on Paradise & Harmon (right across from the Hard Rock) fits the bill quite nicely. An inexpensive cab ride from the strip, outstanding Italian food, and you can play some at the Hard Rock before heading back.

[JWalkSC]

Ferraro's is on restaurant.com too so you should be able to get a good deal there. I have heard that Bartolotta's at the Wynn is excellent, but it looks like things can get pretty expensive based off their menu. Others on the forum have recommended Battista's Hole in the Wall (in a strip mall behind Bill's), which has an all-inclusive menu that includes house wine and has great prices.

[Rescuediver]

I wasn't knockin Maggianos, just have an abundance of them by me and around me I honestly thought they were everywhere. Hopefully you find a nice place to go.

[readyforvegas]

You got to try Pieros the best Itakian food in Vegas by far. Every celeb thats been to Vegas has probally eaten there. That food reminds me back in Jersey. Its not on the strip but close. Its on Desert Inn road I believe between the strip and Paradise rd.

[MissV]

I second Ferraro's. It's right across from the Hard Rock. Unbelievable Osso Bucco. Everything we had was delicious. We sat at the bar while they finished getting our table ready. Bartender was fantastic and they had some creative drinks. Service was excellent. As an added bonus, you can get a $100 gift cert on restaurant.com for $8 is you find an 80% off code. Just have to spend $200. They also allow you to include alcohol in that which is nice since the wine list is really good.