Naked City Pizza on Paradise
Chicken Wing Dip with Grilled Flatbread
Garlic Buns with Mozzarella and Red Sauce
Runny Egg Carbonara with Pancetta
Hot Mama – Salami and Ham on House Baked Roasted Garlic Bread, baked with Provolone, Mozzarella, Alfredo and a fried egg
Guinea’s Pie – Meatballs, spinach, ricotta, white garlic sauce and mozzarella cheese (not so wee)
Big Bag of Bombolini
Deconstructed Tiramisu
Admittedly more than a little surprised at how much I enjoyed my seminal visit to the original Naked City Pizza on Arville I knew it was only a matter of time before I visited Chris Palmeri’s latest venture on Paradise and with old friends in town plus a 13-year local who has yet to experience the location at Moondoggies happy to meet for some afternoon eats I’m happy to say that while decidedly different in scene the new Naked City proved every bit as noteworthy as the first. Still ostensibly a spot for locals but at the same time one more likely to generate tourist traffic given its locale it is obvious on entry that Naked City of Paradise is targeting a more family friendly vibe than the first and with clean lines, dark woods, and walls clad in old photos overlooking a fresh menu of specials serving to compliment the old favorites it was with some indecision that an order was cast; a half dozen items plus one on the house coursed out in four rounds by a young woman who outperformed the majority of her hospitality counterparts on The Strip. Beginning with appetizers before moving to things more substantial it was with Sinatra playing just a bit too loudly that our first plates arrived and with the spicy dip teaming in buffalo sauce proving the superior of the pair along with housemade flatbread things would only improve from there, the second round featuring a pork packed spin on the Croque Madame beneath a blanket of garlic and cheese alongside fresh cut noodles served steaming hot to render its garnishing egg into a smooth, creamy sauce. Having opted against the pie made famous by Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins my first go-around but this time unable to resist it was in the $21 ‘not so wee’ half sheet of the Guinea’s pie that we indulged next and although the supple meatballs and ample ricotta proved a stellar pairing to the lightly blistered, toothsome crust it was with full bellies and big smiles that we finally gave up – a quarter pie carried home by a friend along with nearly a pound of tender bombolini that we fool heartedly ordered to finish only to be surprised by a complimentary order of the chocolate gilded and feather-light tiramisu, as well.
FOUR STARS: Every bit as competent in the kitchen as the original and far more appealing to both the eye and the lung up front Naked City Pizza on Paradise may not have the gritty charm that some love about the original but with pastas this good and service to match I hardly think most will mind…unless of course you miss the drunk dude belting out Devo’s Whip-It as he takes his eleventh trip to the restroom during your 90 minute stay.
RECOMMENDED: Hot Mama, Runny Egg Carbonara, Tiramisu, Chicken Wing Dip
AVOID: The Garlic Buns were a little doughy from my standpoint and although the creamy mozzarella core helped I couldn’t help but reminisce of the pizza logs offered on Arville, a better starter by far.
TIP: With specials varying daily on a handwritten menu it is wise to pay attention to social media for updates and although certainly not full during our visit reservations are available on Opentable to those who are inclined.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://www.nakedcitylv.com/
