With a car race in Phoenix, the 51's Season starting and four locations serving Las Vegas you might say Spring is starting out pretty busy for Christopher and Michael Palmeri, but don't think for one minute that has stopped the brothers behind Naked City Pizza from trying new things, Michael recently taking up baking and Chris planning the first in a series of dinners set to take place at The El Cortez on May 1st.
Now open four months and starting to gain a following inside Sin City's longest continuously operating Casino, a location just off the gaming floor on East Fremont still in need of better outside signage, it was just minutes to six that four adults and two kids sat down next to Arcade Games at a table set for a feast, Chris off in Arizona but Michael happy to show off some new ideas plus the skills he has been developing with Metro Pizza's John Arena.
Touching up the décor quite a bit since the beginning of 2018, walls now lined with black & white photos and the menu colorfully drawn in chalk, it was in the form of a gigantic Caesar Salad topped with housemade Dressing that things got started as "Whoomp there it is" played in the background, the first taste of Michael's Bread arriving not long after in the form of toasted slices dressed with nothing but good Tomatoes, Parmesan and Basil plus a brush of Garlic.
Not identical to other Naked City Pizza parlors in terms of offerings, each shop slinging unique items and specials to tempt fans on Social Media, course two presented eight Mushrooms scooped out and filled with a mixture of Breadcrumbs and Red Peppers in spicy Cream Sauce alongside one of Naked City's softball-sized Meatballs, the blend of Pork, Beef and Seasoning once again on par with what one might find on-Strip for twice the price and this time served with house-made Crostini.
Next taking a look at some El Cortez exclusives, the Satriale Sub first tasted in January getting a big upgrade with Michael's Bread that develops a crunchy crust and supple crumb through a three day ferment plus a kiss of steam in the oven, long-time fans will be happy to know that Pizza at this Naked City is available whole or by the slice, the Pepperoni always a favorite but "Fremont Street" unlike anything else offered nearby with three types of Cheese plus Sausage, Peppers and Breadcrumbs for added texture.
Rounding out the night with Dessert, a collaboration with Chef Douglas Taylor at Jerry's Nugget stocking Naked City's cold case with a rotating selection of Cakes and Pies, it was passing on Cheesecake that two wedges were served, the Oreo Cookie Cake featuring moist Chocolate layers divided by fluffy Mousse and Red Velvet Cake offering stiff Buttercream in place of the more traditional Cream Cheese Frosting.
****1/2: The realization of yet another goal for Christopher and Michael Palmeri, Naked City Pizza inside a Las Vegas Casino, fans will be delighted to now find their favorite slice plus some new ideas in a whole new part of town while out-of-towners can now get a taste of the locally born product they've seen on TV without venturing outside the major tourist corridor.