I frequently wax poetic about how great Vegas’ brunches are, and one of my longtime favorites is Giada at The Cromwell.
The first Vegas restaurant for food star Giada de Laurentiis (she’s a four-time Emmy winner) is a gorgeous space that channels a laid-back California vibe. De Laurentiis is the granddaughter of renowned movie director Dino de Laurentiis, and around the space are movie posters highlighting his classic films.
The dining area is wrapped by a gorgeous bar and on two sides by floor-to-ceiling, two-story windows, providing excellent views of the busy Strip. In the morning and early afternoon, light streams in and provides a very cheery ambiance, complementing the casual, patio feel of the window-side tables.
Start off with a good cup of coffee and a specialty cocktail like the Bellissimo, with Bacardi, Aperol, muddled strawberries and basil, or Giada’s sangria, available with both La Marca prosecco or brachetto d’acqui, a red wine, and mint syrup, lemon, lime and strawberry. There are several selections of sparkling rosé to choose from, and customizable options.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy brunch here as well. I like to start with pastries and small bites, and the Giada’s Favorites tower channels the feel of a tea party, with rosemary-Parmesan scones, caprese crostini and mini baked frittatas occupying each level of the tower. You can also get those frittatas alone as your main dish, with tomato, fontina cheese, scamorza (a mozzarella-like cheese) and lemon-thyme ricotta.
Photo by: Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
For cinnamon roll fans (and I am one), the cinnamon roll focaccia is a must. Not only do you get the cinnamon roll, but you get gooey salted caramel and cream cheese icing. A longtime favorite here is the polenta waffle, so good with sunny-side up eggs.
There are plenty of more traditional offerings as well, such as the filleto and eggs, the Italian version of steak and eggs, here with two eggs, lemon-smashed potatoes and the traditional Italian condiment, salmoriglio.
For avocado lovers, there are two dishes to try: avocado toast, served with poached eggs, roasted tomato, mashed avocado and Calabrian chili for a little kick; and the avocado Benedict, with piquillo peppers, spinach, prosecco hollandaise and toasted focaccia. Add lobster or prosciutto if desired.
Handhelds are great for brunch, and you can try two. The chicken caprese panini layers mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, arugula and chicken breast Milanese, accented with balsamic aioli. And Giada’s burger features a blended beef patty, avocado basil cream and provolone cheese, plus bacon or egg if you like.
This being an Italian brunch, of course there is pasta, such as cavatelli with basil pesto, asparagus, baby tomatoes and Parmigiano-Reggiano. And there is risotto—Giada’s breakfast risotto combines that creamy dish with sunny-side up eggs, applewood smoked bacon and sugar snap peas.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a scoop or two of sorbetti—bright, fresh flavors shine here, like apricot and blackberry, and strawberry limoncello. And if you’ve had Giada’s favorite cookies, you know the lemon ricotta are the best, although chocolate chunk is not far behind.
The Cromwell. 855.442.3271 or caesars.com
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