 Rao's Restaurant Review: A coveted seat at one of the limited tables at the original Rao's in New York is only made available to VIPs and invited guests. Larger, more accessible locations of the legendary Italian restaurant have since landed at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and Hollywood. The homey, noisy space, which is festively ornamented with Christmas decorations all year around, encompasses two dining areas, a bar and outdoor patio. Select some songs from the vintage jukebox then settle into one of the booths. (Some regular customers have standing reservations at certain tables.) Executive chef Nicole Grimes was part of the opening team at Rao’s in Las Vegas in 2006 and she’s dedicated to continuing the legacy here. The massive meatballs are light and airy and topped with Rao’s famous marinara sauce, which is also sold in grocery stores. In addition to Rao's classics like the seafood salad and lemon chicken, the menu offers more contemporary dishes unique to this location. For example, there are the ravioli purses with ricotta cheese, pears, brown butter, sage and dried cranberries, which add a touch of sweetness to this savory dish. End your meal with cheesecake, sorbet or tiramisu. The short, Italian-accented wine list designates all countries besides Italy as “international” --- including the United States! General manager Patrick Hickey and captain Lou Farber, also veterans of the Las Vegas location, lead the friendly and efficient staff.
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