Fresco Italiano

Fresco Italiano Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Set in a beautiful room with a Tuscany theme, Fresco Italiano has an Old World feel accomplished via an expansive open kitchen with copper overhangs and counter with ornate carved wood, round pillars, wood floor and tables, a rotating photo display depicting scenes in Italy and a red brick walk adding to a rustic effect.

Likes: The kitchen, under the supervision of Venice-born executive chef Paola Bugli, delivers a taste of authentic Italian cooking.
Dislikes: The restaurant is a bit of a hike from the casino, but well worth the extra steps.

Food & Drinks: A good beginning is the bruschetta with heirloom tomatoes, basil and shaved Grana Padano, or the beef carpaccio with toasted focaccia, truffle oil and horseradish aïoli. Seafood lovers will appreciate the gamberi e polenta (grilled shrimp over sun-dried tomatoes Tuscan grits) or the Mediterranean sea bass with arugula and cherry tomatoes salad; and carnivores should be happy with the porchetta (Tuscan-style roasted pork tenderloin with caramelized onions and broccolini) or osso buco (braised veal shank with saffron risotto and gremolata). Among six flatbreads is the Fresco topped with basil pesto béchamel, shrimp, zucchini and fresh mozzarella. A worthy sweet ending is the semifreddo, classic Italian gelato with nut brittle and chocolate sauce. Complementing the authentic Italian fare is an extensive Italian wine selection that includes Banfi Principessa di Gavi Pinot Grigio, Bolgheri Ornellaia Tenuta le Volte and Castel Boglione Brachetto d’Acqui.