Portofino
Italian Mojito
Rosemary Focaccia with Olive Oil and Balsamic
Meatballs – Kobe Beef and Duroc Pork, Fried Squash Blossom, Goat Cheese, Bacon, Beer Batter, San Marzano Tomatoes, 24 Month Parmigiano Reggiano
Fig Salad – gorgonzola panna cotta, candied walnuts, banana vinaigrette
Crab Cake Arancini – Lemon Saffron Risotto, Tarragon-Pesto Aioli, Fresno Pickles, Cornichon
100 year Balsamic Glazed Grilled Octopus – Calabrese Peperonata, Fingerling Crisps, Salsa Verde, Capers
Lasagna – Braised Oxtail Ragu, Herbed Ricotta, Mozzarella
Truffle Raviolo – asparagus, poached egg, smoked prosciutto, mascarpone
Chicken Foiefredo – pappardelle, roasted chicken, foie gras alfredo
Gnocchi – forest mushrooms, morels, sweetbreads, fava beans
Ripatelli – house made lamb sausage and peppers, grilled ramps, san marzano tomatoes
Burrata Agnolotti – Lobster, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Roasted Corn Butter
Veal Osso Buco – Saffron Risotto, Bone Marrow, Gremolata
Chicken Rollatini Parmesan – Chicken Ripieno with Housemade Chicken Sausage Stuffing, Housemade Marinara, Melted Mozzarella
Branzino – grilled asparagus, potato leek gratin, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms
Aragosta Milanese – Breaded Lobster Tail, Rapini, Lemon Sauce
Nutella Crème Brulee – twisted disaronna whipped cream, fudge, crystallized almonds
Cassata Cheesecake – Harry’s berries, Italian wedding cake croutons
Traditional Tiramisu – Cognac Crème, Lady Fingers
Cannoli Napoleon – Creamy Ricotta Cheesecake, Shortbread Crust, Amarena Cherry Compote
Gelato – Strawberry Cheesecake, Double Chocolate, Vanilla Milkshake
Relying on the restaurants I have grown to love and trust to impress friends as well as visitors for special events as well as a nice night out, it was with the same approach that my family’s visit to Las Vegas was planned, and having twice been wowed by the experience at Portofino it was once again on Friday night that Chef Michael LaPlaca and GM Chris Zadie proved their space in The Mirage to be the very best in a competitive Italian dining scene.
Having already mentioned the setting and superlative service that begins the moment each guest walks in the door, it was with a request for family-style carte blanche dining that my family was treated, not one of the previously sampled dishes any less exquisite than during previous visits while the classic Lasagna was a smoothly layered masterpiece of richness, an off-menu throwback to the Steve Wynn days offered in the delicately fried classic Lobster Tail Milanese.
FIVE STARS: Still under-regarded by tourists, though numbers seemed up from visits prior, Portofino remains the class of Italian dining in Sin City and whether one is local or visitor, Millennial or older, seeking a full tasting or a few bites at the bar the restaurant cannot be recommended strongly enough – LaPlaca almost certain to be n the kitchen with Zadie never too far from the dining room floor.
RECOMMENDED:
AVOID: N/A
TIP: The new fall menu is set to launch late-October or early-November, the audacious Diamond and Gold Lasagna said to be making an appearance when truffle season arrives
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://www.mirage.com/restaurants/portofino-by-chef-michael-laplaca.aspx#
