Italian on the Strip?

Hi Guys,
Friends of ours are coming to Vegas for the very first time. I’ve got a great itinerary of must see/eats for them, but they want Italian. We usually don’t eat at Italian restaurants on the strip, we live in Summerlin, so we either go here or downtown. I’m not sure they are ready for downtown yet, I’d like to give them a strip experience, so where do we go???

 

Andiamo downtown is an excellent choice for Italian. On the strip, I'd say Buddy V's is probably best.

 

The majority recommendation is likely to be Carbone (Aria), though I'm a big fan of Costa (Mirage) as well. I do not care for Lupo (Mandalay Bay). Allegro (Wynn) is quite good as well, and in my opinion superior to Sinatra (also Wynn).

 

Carbone at Aria is my favorite

 

Carbone is a VMB favorite

My favorite is Scarpetta in Cosmopolitan

 

Carbone is the best!

 

At CET properties, I would recommend Rao's (Caesars Palace) or Martorano's (Paris) if it hasn't closed yet.

There's also Buca di Beppo for the more economy minded.

 

Sinatra at Encore - impeccable service and wonderful food.

 

Depends on exactly what you mean by Italian?

Are you looking for traditional Sicilian red sauce Italian, or more Northern Italian, or contemporary Italian, perhaps Italian Fusion or Italian-influenced?

 

If you have a group, Carmine’s in the Forum Shops at Caesars is good. Food is served family style.

 

My favorite Italian is dinner on the terrace at LAVO @ V/P.

 

Sinatra, Carbone or Scarpetta in no particular order. Lavo meatball is excellent as well but I always get that and calamari there so can't comment if everything else is solid at Lavo

 

And, there's always Battista's!

{Ducking, running, hiding ...}

 

Maggiano's at the Fashion Show Mall across from the Wynn.

 

The B word!!!!! returns.. Lol.... my feelings are well-known.... but that said DMR I'm waiting for the next few responses to your post.

 

Just wait, when B's eventually closes, people, here and elsewhere, will lament about the loss of a Vegas Institution (tm) and wax nostalgic about the great authentic Italian food, the complimentary wine, and the house entertainment.

 

Carbone is my favorite but I have also had excellent meals at Scarpetta and it’s slightly cheaper than Carbone. Spicy rigatoni at Carbone is a must eat dish.

 

Lavo also has weekend brunch if you are into that.

 

Even though I'm Sicilian I just like simple Italian meals..... I don't need anything wacky like Yak tenderloin parm with seafoam cream on decomposed broccoli or anything of that ilk. But to each his own. I think many people just like bashing Batista's because it's fun to do and it's not fancy. Although it's not the best food I've ever had you go for the total package.

 

Sinatra at Encore is probably tops on the Strip. Lavo is really good, as well as Buddy V's. Another you may want to look at is Piero's Italian Cuisine. Not actually on the Strip but probably top three all-time Italian. Lots of history there, with parts of Casino being filmed there.