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| - I had heard about Scarpetta multiple times on Travel Channel (Anthony Bourdain) and Food Network (Best Thing I ever Ate). Scott Conant is also a celebrity chef that is on some Food Network shows. I happened to be at a conference at the Cosmopolitan (my new favorite hotel in Vegas, BTW), and I figured I might as well stop by and try out the food at Scarpetta.
The inside of the restaurant has a good view of the faux lake at the Bellagio. Big windows and a nice decor are the first thing you notice. The food is what we were really there for, so I was excited about that. For appetizer, we ordered duck and foie gras ravioli's with a wine reduction sauce. This was just amazing....heavy and rich, but it is foie gras, so you should expect that. Since it was a regular menu item and not an appetizer, they split it in half for my co-worker and I.
Upon receiving the raviolis, our server (who was very good....attentive and knowledgable) brought over a basket of 3 breads. One was ciabatta, one was a focaccia (or something similar) with pork (prosciutto, maybe?) and cheese rolled into it. I can't remember the third bread, but it was also good.
Next up was the main meal. I ordered the spaghetti (with tomato and basil), and my co-worker ordered the branzino. The spaghetti is what I had seen featured multiple times on TV, and I am always a skeptic. I didn't think it could possibly be the best spaghetti I had ever had, but I was wrong. This spaghetti was the absolute best I have ever had. There was so much flavor concentrated on FRESH pasta. Every bite was heaven, and for $24, I would order it again for sure. Vegas (and NY) are both expensive for nice restaurants, so the price tag is high compared to your local favorite Italian place, but the pasta just isn't the same.
My co-workers branzino was also excellent. Served with some greens and onion, it was cooked perfectly (crispy skin), and the flavor was very fresh.
I can't say enough about this restaurant. I highly recommend anyone going to the Cosmopolitan check this place out. Definitely one of my better dining experiences for Italian food.
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