The addition of a renowned chef and partner has catapulted Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen from a neighborhood favorite to a Las Vegas and Summerlin destination.
Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen opened on the corner of West Sahara Avenue and South Cimarron Road in 2019. The elegant atmosphere and top-notch service have earned Limoncello a loyal following in that time. Still, adding “Top Chef” alumni and Las Vegas favorite Carla Pellegrino as executive chef and partner in November 2022 has spurred the restaurant to new heights.
An underrated benefit of having a standalone restaurant as opposed to being in a strip mall or a casino is the ability to create a truly unique atmosphere from a blank canvas. Walking into Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen is akin to walking into a cathedral. The high ceiling in the main dining room has numerous translucent glass windows that let in enough natural light to add warmth and showcase the stunning Italian coastline splayed around the upper half of the wall. The stylish wrought iron lighting and cloud ceiling completes the ambiance of the main dining room. The bar and lounge area has a more relaxing vibe, with three televisions placed perfectly so there isn’t a bad spot to watch the game or unwind with one of Limoncello’s specialty cocktails.
The espresso martini is on the Specialty After Dinner cocktail list, but is also wonderful before dinner (or without food) since it is more true to the espresso taste as opposed to being overly sweet. On the main specialty cocktail list is the Limonata, a refreshing mix of limoncello, Ramazzotti Rosato (a fruity aperitif), housemade lemonade, mint and hibiscus-lime tincture. It’s a great summer cocktail that is a wonderful mix of fruity and tart. Draft and bottle beer and an extensive wine list by both the glass and bottle are also available.
The single-page, double-sided food menu at Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen is organized neatly with antipasti, insalata and zuppa, and pasta on the front; and pizza, meat, fish and sides on the back. A selection of whole fish is displayed over ice, and there are other off-menu specials that rotate based on availability.
The burrata and prosciutto San Daniele has creamy burrata imported from Italy and prosciutto San Daniele. Most people know prosciutto di Parma, but San Daniele prosciutto is more expensive and more difficult to procure. It has a slightly sweeter taste than its cousin from the south and is a bit milder, letting the burrata shine more thoroughly and the accompanying heirloom tomato and arugula. It’s a wonderful start to your meal and excellent for sharing.
The insalata Limoncello is a wonderful signature salad, with heirloom tomato, sweet cucumber, avocado, mango and drizzled with a light citron vinaigrette. The combination results in a super-fresh salad that has a touch of crunch, a touch of sweetness and a ton of flavor.
There is seemingly a pasta dish in every shape with every sauce imaginable at Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen. Each one is designed to match best with its counterpart. All of the noodles are made in-house, and the combinations range from the lighter side (capellini pomodoro, spaghetti vongole) to heavier dishes like the pappardelle ai funghi and a recent addition to the pasta menu, the spaghetti neri (black ink pasta) ai frutti di mare, not to mention plenty of options in between.
The addition of Chef Pellegrino has also coincided with a greater focus on steak cuts and quality. USDA Prime steaks are offered with sauce options like a port wine demi glaze reduction or a porcini mushroom cream. In addition to the selection of daily whole fish, salmone ai ferri and a traditional cioppino are on the regular menu. One of the dinner specials that is often available is the bone-in veal Milanese. Pounded thin and breaded generously, it is a tender dish that isn’t as heavy as ordering a steak, but will leave you satisfied and without regret.
In addition to the previously mentioned espresso martini, Limoncello has a list of after-dinner cocktails, digestifs and more. If you decide to eat your dessert instead of drink it – or do both – a full complement of housemade desserts is available. Highlights include the limoncello flute, a lemon gelato mixed with limoncello sauce; and the dream bomba, a rich milk chocolate and peanut butter combination that proved irresistible and pairs well with port wine.
Limoncello Fresh Italian Kitchen is open nightly for dinner from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.limoncellolv.com.
8245 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
Photo credit: Federico Janni