STRIPLV DINING 1023
BY VEGAS FOOD NERD
AMARI ITALIAN KITCHEN AND WINE SHOP
AMARI Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop, a welcoming neighborhood eatery showcasing reimagined Italian American cuisine alongside a delightful, diverse wine list, is now open for lunch and dinner. AMARI is central to the exceptional culinary lineup at UnCommons, the acclaimed new 40-acre urban campus at I-215, and Durango Drive in Southwest Las Vegas. “AMARI celebrates the experience of American Italian dining through cuisine that is comfortable yet elevated,” said Jason Rocheleau, whose vision for AMARI is the culmination of decades of experience as a restaurateur. “We have created a restaurant that truly is for the community, and we are thrilled to welcome our neighbors throughout Southwest Las Vegas.”
Made for sharing, starters include sesame arancini made with beef, pork sausage, and Tallegio cheese, served with house-made tomato sauce; melon and prosciutto complemented by Valbreso feta, lemon and mint; and big eye tuna crudo served with Cara Cara oranges, cucumber, fennel and Colatura di alici.
Fragrant pastas include classic rigatoni made with beef and pork Bolognese, ricotta, and nutmeg; campanelle made with crab, tomato, fennel, crème fraiche, and pesto; and truffle tortelloni made with mushroom, fontina D.O.P., truffle gouda walnuts, parmigiana and brown butter.
The aromas of pizzas cooking in the woodfired oven delight the senses. Signature pizzas include mushroom, topped with local mushrooms, garlic-miso creme, feta, mozzarella, basil, mint, and parsley; and green apple and speck, topped with blue cheese, mozzarella, thyme, arugula and vincotto.
Entrees include halibut saltimbocca, paired with prosciutto, farro, spinach and brodo; and chicken cacciatorre made with lemon, capers and garlic potato puree.
AMARI is already earning a reputation for its house-made focaccia, which is served as seasonal varietals as well as for the flavorful Italian sandwich, which is filled with coppa, prosciutto, finocchiona, toscana, provolone, mayo, tomato, onion, and lettuce; and the chicken parmesan sandwich, made with provolone picante, mozzarella, and basil.
Desserts honor classics and put modern spins on Italian sweets. Highlights include polenta cake with citrus and whipped crème fraiche honeycomb; and a seasonal fruit crostata made with brown sugar and peaches, served with seasonal gelato.
Behind the inventive cuisine is Executive Chef Brent Stanford, who brings to AMARI his culinary foundation in refining house-made pastas and rich sauces; as well as his specialty in making different styles of pizza doughs, breads and focaccias. After working with some of the best Italian chefs on the East and West Coast, Stanford was most recently executive sous chef for Brezza at Resorts World.
AMARI’s impressive spirits and vast wine and beer lists have been curated by one of the industry’s best, Miklos Katona. The wine collection offers an exploration of diverse and playful wines for guests to discover. Beverage ace, Rafael Vazquez, whose cocktails have highlighted menus at top Miami hot spots, has created a menu of signature cocktails to complement various dishes at AMARI.
AMARI spans 4,600 square feet between the striking restaurant, bar, wine shop and patio. Imaginative design blends art deco with modern architecture for indoor and outdoor spaces that are strikingly beautiful. Thoughtful elements connect and reflect various facets of the design through fabrics, tiles and furniture. The artful presentation of each dish is accentuated by colorful, hand-painted dinnerware.
In the coming months, AMARI will introduce its boutique retail and wine shop, making it possible to enjoy AMARI’s cuisine and wine on the picturesque grounds of UnCommons. In addition to a collection of curated wines, the shop will offer freshly baked bread, sandwiches, salads, and house-made pasta sauces.
The first full-service restaurant to open within UnCommons, AMARI is open for lunch and dinner six days a week from Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Reservations and more information are available by calling (725) 285-0450 and on the website at www.AmariLV.com.
Amari Photos - credit Chris Wessling
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