Salute
Rosemary Focaccia with Olive Oil and 8-Year Balsamic
Eggplant Parmesan – Roasted Eggplant, Fior di Latte, San Marzano Sauce, Parmesan
Hamachi Tartare – Pear, Hazlenuts, Fennel
Albacore Crudo – Avocado, Calabrian Chili, Orange
Crispy Zucchini Flowers – Ricotta, Amaretti, Pesto
Crispy Arancini – Fontinella Cheese, Ricotta, Bolognese
Steamed Artichoke – Buffalo Milk Yogurt, Fresh Lemon, Drawn Buttermilk
Pizza all’ Acqua – San Marzano Tomatoes, Fior di Latte, Basil
Salute Bellini – White Peach, Prosecco
Aumm Aumm Pasta – Slow Roasted Eggplant, Caciocavallo, San Marzano
Spaghetti & Meatballs – Meatballs, Pecorino, San Marzano Gravy
Gnocchi “alla Sorentina” – San Marzano Tomatoes, Aged Parmesan, Blistered Tomatoes
Pappardelle Alla Bolognese – Veal, Pancetta, Red Wine
Linguini Vongole – Steamed Clams, Garlic, White Wine
Baked Rigatoni – Bolognese Sauce, Ricotta, Mozzarella Cheese
Truffle Tagliatelle – Shaved Black Truffles, Truffle Cream
Linguini with Zucchini Flowers – Walnut Pesto
Crespelli Cannelloni – Spinach & Ricotta, Mozzarella Cheese
Sciue Sciue – Chiatarra, Olive Oil, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil
Lasagna – Spinach Pasta, Tomato Bechamel Sauce, Bolognese Gravy
Carbonara – Guanciale, Peas, Egg
Fettuccini alla Vodka – Prepared Tableside
Chicken Parmesan – Fior di Latte, San Marzano Gravy, Parmesan Cheese
Lemon Chicken – Preserved Lemon, Fried Rosemary
Grilled Snapper – Marinated Tomatoes, Romesco Sauce
Veal Milanese “Saltimbocca” – Veal Cutlet, Fontina Cheese, Smoked Prosciutto
Chicken Piccata – Lemon, Capers, Rocket
Meatball – Tomato Gravy, Ricotta, Basil
Broccolini – Toasted Garlic, White Wine
Tiramisu – Mascarpone, Lady Fingers, Espresso, Macchiato Gelato
Toasted Coconut Cake – Bavarian Cream, Mango Sorbetto
Classic Bomboloni – Nutella Stuffed
Caprese Pie – Dark Chocolate, Toasted Almonds, Baccio Gelato
Peridot Sweets Zesty Citrus– vanilla cake soaked with citrus syrup, layered with citrus custard cream
Peridot Sweets Holiday Parade – pumpkin spice cake filled with maple cream cheese frosting & toasted pecan
Owned by the suddenly swelling “Clique” group, whose Hearthstone has become an across-the-street go-to for a great meal from a kitchen staff I trust, it was after several back-and-forths with PR that myself and a few friends sat down on the patio of Salute just prior to its opening – the service expectedly exemplary straight from the hands of Chefs Sautto and Massie while food proved both bold and well-crafted enough to book an opening-night visit with friends as well as family…or at least so it seemed.
No doubt a beautiful space, the interior long and shotgun straight with the left wall running bar to tiled kitchen to antipasti station as art and tiles decorate the walls, it was after a warm welcome at the podium that our party of seven was led to a large central table, greetings offered by everyone from GM Peter to Maitre ‘d Enrico and Chef Luciano, the service from a friend an additional treat though Chef Massie apparently could not leave the pass or even be bothered to turn around.
Acknowledging opening night jitters, the majority a fault of completely lost back-servers and a bar that couldn’t seem to keep up with a quarter-capacity crowd, it was after a short discussion with Chef Luciano that the kitchen was given carte blanche with a focus on pastas, 32 of the restaurants offerings sampled over the course of this meal plus a next-day “Invite Only” with results running the gamut from exquisite to decidedly mediocre with price-to-portion ratios a bit skewed to the left.
Already altering both the offerings and the costs from what was featured during the pre-opening taste, suffice it to say that some interesting items such as Osso Bucco Ravioli were axed in favor of far too many dishes centered on simple tomato sauces, the tableside Fettuccini delicious with a bit less sauce than what was featured prior while the rich Spinach Lasagna was delightfully decadent beneath Bolognese and creamy Bechamel.
Less successful with undercooked Carbonara and Truffle Tagliatelle that really has no business being served during the earliest days of Fall, a better bite is found amidst the Eggplant speckled Aumm Aumm or tender Linguini beneath blossoms and lightly bitter pesto, the Rigatoni no better than that from Michelina’s while the meatballs atop spaghetti were damn near dehydrated while the larger ones served as a side were far more tender and less overwhelmed by spices.
Almost as overpriced on zucchini blossoms as Wolfgang Puck’s CUT while the flatbreads at Hearthstone far outperform the pricey Pizza all’ Acqua, a ‘best-bet’ appetizer is more appropriately found in tartare or crudo, though those not trending to tomatoes as primi will also be impressed by the lightness of fried eggplant, the secondi selections of Chicken Parm or Veal Saltimbocca obviously a bit more substantial with the latter wrapped around Fontina and smoked Prosciutto actually quite stunning.
Fairing well with the Lemon Chicken and what may very well be the best Piccata in town suffice it to say that the dry bomboli are a dish best skipped while Coconut Cake and Caprese Pie, both brought in from Peridot Sweets, are well worth ordering – as were the two celebratory cakes delivered for our family and friends outing.
THREE STARS: At first looking like a place that may be interested in shaking up a stagnant Italian scene in the Western Suburbs it seems as though early on Salute has opted to instead play it safe, a bit of a shame considering the ‘lightgroup’ thumping music and prices not far off from those found on the Strip.
RECOMMENDED: Veal Saltimbocca, Hamachi Tartare, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Piccata, Linguini with Zucchini Flowers, Lasagna, Coconut Cake.
AVOID: Zucchini Blossoms, Rigatoni, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Bomboli, ordering a cocktail and expecting it to arrive before the first course…
TIP: Seating at center tables is ill advised as close spacing virtually guarantees chairs being bumped and bumbling back-server reach arounds…and in our case even a doubly mischarged credit card that was not brought to my attention until a day later despite being known to the house.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://salutevegas.com
