Scarpetta

Scarpetta is in the back corner of the third floor in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. In fact, with all the other restaurants and activity happening, you could almost walk right by. Lucky for you, you know just where you're headed - to enjoy a plate of delicous spaghetti. Yes, it's that good. The restaurant brings modern Italian cuisine to Las Vegas in an elegant restaurant that still maintains its rustic roots. Scarpetta is an Italian expression meaning "little shoe" or in food, it's the bread that is used to soak up a dish. You will have plenty to soak up at Scarpetta. For starters, walk past the long bar area and into the main dining room, where the view of the Bellagio fountains sets the Italian mood. Then, order a bottle of your favorite Italian wine or let the Master Sommelier pick one out for you. Then, try the bread. The bread basket varies, but the foccacia is delicious and served with butter, olive oil and eggplant caponata. To begin, a creamy polenta with mushrooms is an Italian comfort food with great flavor. A yellowtail crudo with pickled onion has a buttery texture and is cool and refreshing. The Wagyu beef tartare is served traditionally with egg, but the toasted hazelnuts give the tartare a surprising crunch. The duck and foie gras ravioli is tender with a slight bite to the pasta. Also served al dente is the spaghetti, the restaurant's signature dish. The spaghetti is house made, as are all the pastas, and served simply with tomato sauce and basil. The branzino (sea bass) is served to perfection with caramelized endive. The duck breast is tender and served medium rare with parsnips and toasted almonds. The food and wine at Scarpetta are delicious, the view is inspiring and the modern, urban atmosphere is sure to attract the most discriminating diner.