Photo by: Courtesy of SAHARA Las Vegas
Something about Italian food just hits different. Melty cheeses, robust tomato sauces, bright and fragrant herbs … it all provides so much flavor while leaving diners feeling replete. While there are many incredible restaurants that offer this delicious experience on the Strip, Balla Italian Soul at SAHARA Las Vegas has mastered it, courtesy of executive chef Shawn McClain, whose ingredient-focused dishes feature fresh flavors and seasonal foods.
At this comfy Stripside locale, if you’re not ordering something for the table, you’re doing it wrong. Fans of baba ganoush will be obsessed with the roasted eggplant dip. Served with beautifully grilled, crusty bread, the silky smooth purée gains its sweetness from the roasting process and a bit of earthiness from Castelrosso, a slightly salty, crumbly Italian cheese. Roasted garlic, pickled peppers and mint complete this delicious dip and add their own pops of piquancy.
Want a bit of bite? Consider the blue fin tuna crudo, made with red onion, capers, lemon and olive oil. Crunch on a crisp Caesar salad for something familiar or slurp down some West Coast oysters with tomato mignonette, horseradish and agrumato for a bit of adventure.
After enjoying a few starters, a pasta course might as well be required. Order the chicken cannelloni and savor the luscious Alfredo sauce that coats each stuffed noodle. Toasted rosemary adds a bit of texture and fragrance to the plate, and a sprinkle of Parmesan ties it all together. If red sauce is more your thing, try tomato casarecce with garlic, Calabrian chili and basil.
Photo by: Courtesy of SAHARA Las Vegas
Hopefully you still have room for some mains, because there are some stunners in this portion of the menu. Steak lovers will find an array of options, including a delectable 14-day dry-aged Flannery 14-ounce New York. Of course, this restaurant serves an exquisite chicken Parm, but for something a bit different, consider the Mediterranean sea bream. With lemon butter, capers and wild greens, this fish dish conjures chicken piccata vibes, but with the mild, meaty protein.
The sea bream pairs so nicely with a glass of vermentino, but no matter what bites you order, your server can recommend a sip to complement. We love the spritz citron, a citrusy, bubbly bev with basil.
Order a cappuccino and a few sweet treats to close out the bill. Bomboloni with sweet cream and raspberry preserves feature light and fluffy donuts, while the dark chocolate tart with hazelnuts, mascarpone and Nutella brings decadence to the dessert course.
SAHARA Las Vegas. 702.761.7619. saharalasvegas.com
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