Ever been in a restaurant that didn’t have quite what you really wanted on the menu? Odds are you were reluctant to ask for it, not sure if the restaurant could accommodate your request. But at Fresco Italiano at Westgate Las Vegas, executive chef Shawn Gabilondo welcomes off-the-menu suggestions. In fact, he loves them!
“I’ve been cooking for over 20 years across many different cuisines,” Gabilondo told Las Vegas Magazine. “What I love most is connecting with people and creating dishes they truly enjoy. When I get to know someone and can create something special for them, that’s what excites me. I also love cooking seasonally, using ingredients at their peak. It keeps me sharp creatively and allows me to explore different techniques and cooking methods.”
It’s that approach that has kept Fresco Italiano a restaurant that many visitors make repeat visits to. “We have many guests who frequent us (with repeat visits), and I’ve been fortunate to build meaningful relationships with quite a few of them.”
And while Fresco Italiano does provide all the classics you’ve come to expect, Gabilondo said the menu is updated “two to three times a year. The hardest part is deciding what to remove and what to add—because everything sells well, and we receive great feedback on all the dishes we’re currently running.”
Yes, you will definitely find linguine and clams (featuring littleneck clams), chicken Parmesan and chicken marsala, as well as steaks and spicy penne alla vodka, plus desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake. But again, just because you don’t find what you want on the menu, please speak up. Because Gabilondo’s main goal is your happiness.
“I want every guest to leave feeling they received real value for both their money and their time,” he said. “My goal is to bring back fond memories for our guests while also creating new ones they’ll cherish. When guests love their meal so much that they come back the very next day—especially here in Las Vegas, one of the food capitals of the world—that’s an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience.”
Westgate Las Vegas, 702.732.5276. westgateresorts.com
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