Las Vegas Mixtape v26: Tears For Fears “Rule” The Fontainebleau, “Miss Behaving” at the Plaza, and More

Track #5: Ciao Vino @Boca Park in Summerlin

There’s another new Italian restaurant in Summerlin—Ciao Vino in the massive Boca Park shopping center in Summerlin. I’m happy to report that it’s instantly a standout in the off-Strip dining scene.

The setting is luxurious, with elegant chandeliers throughout, and the food—by Chef Joel Myers, formerly of Osteria Fiorella, just down the road at Red Rock Casino Resort—is deftly prepared and attractively plated.

Our starter, the classic margarita pizza, was absolutely perfect and obviously made with top-shelf ingredients. The same is true of the dishes that followed: the orecchiette with fennel sausage and the Chicken Francese. Two sides also captivated: the fresh grilled asparagus with lemon oil and the “Brentwood Corn Ribs,” Myers’ play on corn on the cob with Aleppo pepper and whipped yogurt.

Finally, I can’t recommend the Ricotta Zeppola Donuts enough. These little donuts, filled with citrus lemon curd and limoncello, are served with affogato (vanilla ice cream and hot espresso). Honestly, a dreamy dessert like this can improve one’s mental health.

Bonus Track Medley:

America may not have elected its first female president, but I will always believe in the power of women. Walking through the ultra-luxe Crystal Shops in Las Vegas, I spotted this ferocious-looking bag, with the three-finger armor attached, in the window of the Phillip Plein store. I went inside, where saleswoman Lisa Chintel graciously modeled this bold expression of female empowerment. Attention, holiday shoppers: the bag will set you back around $2,000.

If you wake up with an itch that needs to be scratched, go find relief by ordering the Chicken Parm sandwich at the relatively new Parm. That’s the fast casual spin-off of the NYC-originated high-end restaurant Carbone at ARIA’s Proper Eats Food Hall. The sandwich is a divine creation, with a soft freshly baked and seeded Italian roll, crispy chicken cutlet, ample Parmesan, and a little basil leaf. The portion size is satisfyingly big, so you can conceivably have lunch and dinner all at once.