5 Best Restaurants in North Strip, Las Vegas

This sleek restaurant may be decorated primarily in neutrals, but the food by James Beard–nominated chef Nicole Brisson brings plenty of color. Her updated Italian classics include Tuscan carne cruda with lemon, capers, and shallots; herb tagliatelle with rabbit ragu; a whole branzino; and a 120-day dry-aged 42-ounce tomahawk. At lunch, choices include a sausage and fontina tart, and charred octopus. Ciccetti Hour is from 3:30 to 5 pm daily. When the weather’s grand, dine on the lovely expansive patio, which is surrounded by olive trees saved from the old Stardust.

One of the more recent entries in the Viva Italiano! culinary scene, the Milan-inspired restaurant at Grand Canal Shoppes is a creation sitting right on The Venetian's replica of St. Mark's Square. Taking its name from the Brera neighborhood of Milan, the menu focuses on Milanese favorites. Try these mouth-waterers: squash blossoms, braised beef cheek, lamb chops, calamari, branzino, pizzas, and pastas; there also are vegetarian selections. Top it off with premium Italian wines and cocktails for an experience that aims to be thoroughly and authentically northern Italian. Brunch selections augment the lunch menu, and during Apertivo Hour from 2 to 5 pm daily, pizzas, cocktails, beers, and wines by the glass are half-off.

The food at this Roman-styled see-and-be-seen restaurant/nightclub often is overshadowed by the roaring club scene, but it's worth a stop—especially if you go early to avoid the thump thump of the music upstairs. You might see such substantial starters as tuna tartare, a one-pound meatball, and a burrata-and-pancetta brick-oven pizza. Entrées include salmon oreganato, cavatelli bolognese, and salt-baked wild branzino for two. Many of the dishes are meant to be shared. For Party Brunch from 1 to 6 pm Saturdays, or Endless Brunch from 10 am to 2:30 pm Sundays, try the Waffle Abbondanza giant waffle board, or sheep's milk ricotta waffles.

James Beard nominee and former Spago sous chef Evan Funke has brought his pasta prowess to Las Vegas with this sister restaurant to the locations in Hollywood and Miami. The busy and lively atmosphere matches the energetic level of his Roman-style cuisine. Funke puts a spin on the traditional; his funghi pizza has both wild and cultivated mushrooms, scamorza, taleggio, and parmigiano reggiano. Starters include squash blossoms with ricotta romana; main courses include Australian rib chops with peperonata salsa verde, and a grilled whole branzino for the table.

Encore recalls the panache of vintage Vegas by dedicating one of its fine-dining venues to Frank Sinatra. Expect simple, elegantly presented Italian cuisine, such asd risotto with lobster, and ossobuco "My Way." Framed photos of Ol' Blue Eyes (as well as his Academy Award for From Here to Eternity) adorn the ivory-and-ruby-hue indoor dining room. The legendary crooner's music plays softly while well-dressed guests nibble their antipasto next to the fireplace on the outdoor patio. Some just pull up a seat at the swank bar to order a cocktail or postprandial limoncello or grappa. Go ahead and imbibe!—Frankie would approve. A "living well" menu is available. Kids under 5 are not allowed.