The Grotto Awards

The Grotto Restaurant Review:

The Grotto, located on the Golden Nugget’s mezzanine level, serves attractively presented Italian cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Brightly colored chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, complementing the elegant dark wood features, including built-in wine racks. One end of the dining room houses the bar, while the pizza oven and antipasti bar occupy the other. Among creative starters are the lobster bisque with “a touch of cream and a hint of sherry,” and cannelloni di pollo --- pasta stuffed with chicken and spinach served with an Alfredo and marinara sauce. Chicken Milanese salad with mixed greens, shaved fennel, pear tomatoes, sherry-thyme vinaigrette and balsamic glaze is also a winner, as is the linguine pescatore with shrimp, mussels, clams, crab claws and Roma tomatoes in a spicy arrabiata. The choice of eggplant, chicken or veal Parmigiano is complemented by capellini marinara. Pan-sautéed scaloppine is topped with a Marsala mushroom sauce and comes in options of veal or chicken. Selections on the dessert cart are the strawberry cassata (Italian wedding cake) and mezzanotte (chocolate layer cake). And while the food is grown-up, this place is meant for everyone, as kids have their own menu and booster seats.