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| - I have waited to give this place a second visit before writing a review, because the first visit (Jan 09) was so stellar that it was almost too good to be true. The second visit was a little more than a solid 3 star (especially when considering the price), so I think I'll be generous with the average and maybe give this place one more shot before moving on to other high-end dining in Las Vegas.
In fact, I was just in NYC last month, but I didn't even bother to call Rao's as I knew it was futile.....I was geared up for my trip to Las Vegas in the coming weeks.
As mentioned, the first visit was phenomenal. The service was almost too attentive, our waiter told us about the history of Rao's (I grew up in CT, kinda of knew, but not really), gave us an excellent rundown of the menu and allowed us to be unpretentious with our wine choices. Two of us were sat in a booth in a busy, but sociable room off to the left side.
We went for the full-bellied Italian order of the Mozzarella in Carrozza, arugula salad, veal parm (on the bone!), with the tomato and ham vodka cream pasta. Oh, and don't forget the meatballs and gravy.....
Although we were in a food coma (need to upload picture to prove it), we enjoyed the meal and wine thoroughly (and dreamt about the meatballs for months). We couldn't wait to come again.
Our next visit was in July 09. We had a Caesar's concierge make our reservations and dined at a more reasonable hour before 9pm. Although the house was packed, we had a very competent, but indifferent waiter who may have spent too many years in the business to add anything special to the experience. With no other guidance other than "whataya want?", we fumbled our way without an app (no recommendation, no order), warm white wine (I had face my trashy side and put ice cubes in the wine) an uninspiring salad, and somehow, the "parm and balls" just didn't hit the same high notes. After moving to red, we didn't even finish the bottle.
Maybe it was the summer season, the heat taking it's toll, the down economy on Vegas, or something hidden, but the place didn't have the twinkle of that first visit.
Oh Rao's, if you want America to buy those sauces and pastas now found from Kroger to Shop Rite, you better give people a memorable experience in your carnival sized restaurant.
Alas, I'll give it one more try, if I'm not broke off playing craps by the time dinner rolls around that evening....
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