| rev:text
| - ***************************** 1364 ***************************
We saw his name flashing on the billboard display at the Mirage Hotel all the time. Voted 1 of the best Italian restaurants in Las Vegas. I finally got to take my nieces here. Portofino
by Chef Michael LaPlaca, a young chef that I had met long time ago when he worked at the famous Bradley Ogden restaurant at Caesars Palace. He also worked for chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon at the Venetian, and Alex at the Wynn back in the day. This chef was once dreamt of becoming a professional skateboarder or joining a punk-rock band. He told the story that when when he first moved to Vegas with no money with only $70 in his pocket and to start a culinary school then.
On the first day of culinary school, Chef LaPlaca was told to write a long-term goal on the first page of my notebook so that every day when he got to class, he would remember that dream. He dreamt of someday; his name will flashing on the billboard of Las Vegas Strip. He wrote down, "Executive chef on the Las Vegas Strip." Dreams do come true!
Now this over 6 FT tall, muscular, handsome and young chef runs one of the best Italian restaurants on the Strip.
______________________________
We were greeted nicely by the two beautiful hostesses. A nice bar with beautiful chandeliers, and mirror against the bar, reflecting the brightness of the place, some what intimidating when I first walked in.
The main dining room was much warmer and cozy. We got the booth table in the corner, comfortable for all.
They offer the incredible value for your money. The Summer Tastings menu is only $30 for three course, and wine pairing for $25, unheard of at a fine dining on the Strip!
A good selection for vegetarian and gluten-free to choose, a pre-show menu and a regular a la carte one.
- MEATBALLS - fried squash blossom, goat cheese, and san marzano tomatoes - a must try!
- Grilled Octopus - calabrian peperonata, fingerling crisps, salsa verde
- Calamari - housemade mariana, pepperoncini, parmesan, this mariana sauce was so addicting, we had to ask for more sauce just to dip the bread in.
- PASTA TASTING - is a must if you're pasta lover or if you come with a few friends.
1. Ravioli with poached egg and truffle
2. Gnocchi with sweetbreads, fava beans
3. Ripateli with housemade lamb sausage, peppers, grilled lamb, san marzano tomatoes
4. Chicken Pappardelle, Foie Gras alfredo
5. Agnolotti with lobster, chanterelle mushrooms, corn butter
- Veal Osso Buco - Saffron risotto, bone marrow, gremolata - arr, meat lover, this is for you.
- Steak - my niece finished it to the last drop on the plate.
- Branzino - asparagus, potato leek gratin, hen of the wood mushroom, delicious
DESSERTS:
- Nutella Creme Brulee - if you love Nutella, this is it for you.
- Cassata Cheesecake, strawberries, "Italian Wedding Cake" croutons - this was beautifully presented, looks like a gift box.
- Cooke Souffle Trio - Chocolate chips, Oreo, Vanilla anglaise - sweet tooth heaven!
Service was efficient and fast, perfect timing between course. The wines by the glass were reasonable and the wines pairing was done reasonable for the strip. I was impressed. The GM was very nice and checked up on us to make sure we had a good time. My nieces were in heaven, The teenager one got food coma after her Pasta Tasting :-) Good time had by all.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)