Plantone’s Italian Market
Chicken Parmesan – Italian Sub Roll, Hosemade Mozzarella, Marinara
Pizza Piccante – Spicy Italian Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, Housemade Mozzarella, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pizza Nutella – Strawberries, Bananas, Powdered Sugar
With Spring Valley continuing to evolve as Las Vegas’ most rapidly growing area, the stretch between Rainbow and Decatur just south of the 215 particularly booming in both new homes and restaurants, it was for National Pizza Day that a return was made to Plantone’s Italian Market, lessons learned from last time paying dividends but the Pizza itself again falling short of the best in Sin City.
Now past the one-year mark but obviously still struggling to make its mark in a crowded plaza also featuring Roberto’s, SkinnyFats and Black Sheep with Suzuya and Paid in Full nearby, an arrival at 11:45am finding lines at the former and Sonic but only three patrons present inside the Italian Market, it was in an attempt to save time that an order was placed online, a few items oddly present there but not on the restaurant’s take-out menu or website.
Owned by real estate Broker Glenn Plantone who put his name and childhood memories of Uncle Tony out there to do something different for the area, former D.O.C.G. Chef Francesco Savinetti overseeing the menu, it was once again to pleasant greetings that guests were greeted on entry, everything ready and waiting to go with just $27.50 exchanged for two 10” Pizzas and a Half-Sandwich.
Taking Lunch back to the office, a mere 3 minutes drive finding everything still piping hot on arrival, it was at first glance that the decision to request Pizza “crisp, lightly charred but not burnt” had paid off, the limp Crust of November replaced by something tanned and golden but still fairly flavorless thanks to a lack of fermentation while the ‘spicy’ Italian Sausage most certainly was not, though it paired well with creamy Cheese and Broccoli Rabe that certainly could have been better distributed.
Opting to additionally sample a Sandwich on this visit, the 4p-7p Happy Hour Fried Bologna and Roast Pork Italian Sub both highlights from visit number one, Plantone’s once again shined brightly with the old-school Chicken Parm on soft White Bread with housemade Sauce and Mozzarella, the latter necessitating an extra-dollar despite not being listed as such, though the additional cost is worthwhile.
Described as an old school Italian Deli but clearly willing to cross boundaries, a daily special with French Fries and Macaroni on a Pie clearly targeting the Instagram sector moreso than Tony Boloney or Grandma, it was in an online-only Nutella Pizza topped in sliced Fruit that Lunch concluded, the failure to request a well-cooked Crust unfortunately finding this one even more under-done than last visit and about as interesting as Wonder Bread, though the toppings expectedly did a good job covering up for it.
THREE STARS: Understanding the struggle of owning a Las Vegas Restaurant and strive to be relevant, a difficult task that unfortunately even sees Legends placating “Influencers” as they try to fight Million-dollar Casino marketing budgets, it seems as though Plantone’s would be better-served by being old-school and focusing on the details rather than spreading the word with ridiculous concoctions distributed via “unlokt.”
RECOMMENDED: Chicken Parm Sub with added Housemade Mozzarella, asking for Pizzas to be well-done.
AVOID: Spicy Sausage was not Spicy and standard cooking times on Pizza remain an issue.
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
