Plantone’s Italian Market
Roast Pork Italian Sub – Slow Roasted Pork, Sharp Provolone, Broccoli Rabe, Au Jus
Tony’s Fried Boloney – Mortadella, Fried Onions, American Cheese (no Mustard)
Eggplant Parmesan – San Marzano Marinara, Mozzarella
Housemade Meatballs – San Marzano Marinara
Soft Italian Rolls
Mama’s Margherita Pizza – San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Fresh Basil, Housemade Mozzarella, EVOO
Pizza Verdure al Rosti – Roast Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Onion, Tomato, Basil Pesto, Housemade Mozarella, EVOO
Paulie’s Pesto Chicken Pizza – Grilled Chicken, Fresh Basil Pesto, Housemade Mozzarella, EVOO
Pizza Bianca – Grilled Chicken, White Sauce, Caramelized Onions, Fontina Cheese, Grated Parmesan, EVOO
Ricotta Cheesecake – Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream, Housemade Strawberry Sauce
Cannoli – Mascarpone, Ricotta, Dark Chocolate Chips
Just now approaching their one year anniversary in Spring Valley, an area whose culinary scene continues to grow almost as quickly as the number of houses being built in the shadow of Ikea, it was in two-parts that Plantone’s Italian Market was experienced, once by way of catering and also inside the Restaurant during Happy Hour.
Described as an old school Italian Deli but found in a spacious and cleanly footprint on the corner of South Durango and West Warm Springs, owner Glenn Plantone promising the “finest domestic and imported ingredients” and family recipes taking inspiration from uncle Tony “Bolony,” guests entering Plantone’s from 11am daily can expect warm greetings from nearly the moment they step inside, a 4:15pm arrival finding no other diners present, thus giving the young woman behind the register plenty of time to discuss the concept as well as the menu.
Clearly a Restaurant that places equal value on customer service and product, an aisle opposite the counter lined in dried Pastas and San Marzano Tomatoes plus several imported Condiments, it was after briefly taking note of several daily specials that the decision was made to partake in Plantone’s 4pm-7pm Happy Hour, the ability to customize Sandwiches to ones liking yielding nearly a foot and a half of Italian Bread, Meat and Cheese for less than $14 all-inclusive.
Toqued by former D.O.C.G. and Sirio Chef Francesco Savinetti, his daily charge largely the aforementioned specials including several fresh Pastas sold at a fraction of Strip pricing, it was seated at a tall wooden table facing several televisions that a brief wait followed, the interior otherwise decorated in a rustic mural well lit and handsome while an outdoor patio beckons guests “dining in” during warmer weather.
Declining Beer, Wine or anything but Water from the Coke “Remix” Machine, though several bargains are to be found, it was immediately on the Food’s arrival that one could tell things would be good, melted Yellow Cheese atop fried Mortadella and Onions a significant upgrade from the typical Bologna Sandwich for just $5 while the sliced Pork, bitter Rabe and Provolone reminisced of DiNic’s inside of Philly’s Reading Terminal Market, but with better Bread and au jus on the side.
Impressed enough by this first visit that further exploration was warranted, a catering order delivered to the office just three days later entirely self-selected and paid for by Mankind Pharma, it should go without saying that Plantone’s represents a significant improvement on the likes of Jason’s Deli or Baja Fresh when it comes to lunch, the Eggplant Parm and Meatballs by the tray each showing well in a bath of Tomato Sauce with the former’s breading still slightly crisp, an included box of soft Italian Bread not only good for making Sandwiches but also for sopping up Sauce later in the day.
Moving next to a quartet of Pizzas, the availability of slices, personal Pies or eight-slice sharables inside the Restaurant undoubtedly a tempting lunch option for those in the area, it is difficult to say whether the oblong discs topped in housemade Mozzarella plus a variety of Vegetables and Meats would have been more crispy if not catered, but save for this small complaint about flaccid Crust the flavor of each was quite good with special mention saved for the Bianca with tender Grilled Chicken shining amidst Garlic, Onions and nutty Fontina.
Rounding things out with two housemade Desserts, both of these plus the Tiramisu available at half-price during Happy Hour, those who enjoy Cheesecake will be thrilled to know that Plantone’s old-world recipe yields one of the most dense and creamy slices in all of Sin City while the filled-to-order Cannolis take the “Cake Boss” to task for $2 less, each.
FOUR STARS: Locally owned and operated in a city that inexplicably lacks a top-tier “Italian deli” on the West side, even the venerable Cugino’s near UNLV largely unknown to many residents due to their location, Plantone’s Italian Market seeks to deliver on a promise of “authenticity and comfort” by bringing old school recipes and good old fashioned craftsmanship to a part of town where such things are significantly underrepresented.
RECOMMENDED: Roast Pork Italian Sub, Eggplant Parm, Tony’s Fried Boloney, Pizza Bianca, Ricotta Cheesecake.
AVOID: As above, the Pizzas were all significantly more ‘floppy’ than personal preference dictates they should be and the Margherita would be far better with sliced Tomatoes instead of Sauce, plus more Basil.
TIP: 11a-9p Sunday through Thursday and open until 10pm Fridays and Saturdays, online ordering with curbside pick-up and ezcater available.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.plantonesitalian.com
