Known for such delectable restaurants as La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway inside Wynn Las Vegas, CRUSH and Greek Sneek at MGM Grand, and ONE Steakhouse at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, acclaimed Las Vegas restauranteurs Jenna and Michael Morton of the Morton Group recently opened their first neighborhood restaurant in south Vegas.
Bringing a Strip-quality dining experience to Southern Highlands, Nudo Italiano (nudolv.com) opened its doors in May—almost two years after Jenna and Michael first checked out the 4,000-square-foot space at 4390 West Cactus Avenue. The wait was well worth it, as the restaurant has quickly developed a local following, thanks to the impeccable Italian cuisine by Morton Group’s culinary director, Chef William DeMarco.
“While we were initially drawn to Southern Highlands because of the growing demand for more neighborhood restaurants, we couldn’t have imagined the incredible sense of community we’d discover here,” says Michael. “We set out to bring something special to the area, but thanks to the warm welcome we’ve received, we truly feel like we’re the ones who’ve gained the most. Then again, once you taste Chef William’s hand-crafted pasta, it’s clear the neighborhood is getting something pretty special, too.”
Celebrating the flavors of Italy with a dinner menu where every ingredient shines and nothing is overcomplicated; Nudo Italiano serves an array of handmade pastas made with only the finest ingredients. This includes Michael’s favorite dish, the gemelli made with Italian fennel sausage, broccolini, cherry tomatoes, and roasted garlic, and the delicious gnocchi made with ricotta, fior di latte, and San Marzano tomatoes.
Several enticing entrées are available as well, like the succulent 12-ounce New York bistecca grilled to perfection, and there are a variety of flavorful Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in a 900-degree wood-burning pizza oven. Each pizza is prepared according to the traditional standards set forth by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which recognizes culinary traditions that reflect the history, identity, and cultural practices of communities around the world. So, every bite of Nudo Italiano’s signature Diavola pizza made with tomato, ciliegine mozzarella, spicy salami, and Calabrian chilis is, as Jenna puts it, “a celebration of that heritage.”
Guests can pair their entrée selection with an Italian varietal from the restaurant’s global wine list or an Italian-influenced cocktail, like the refreshing Paloma Italiana made with citrus-forward tequila and amaro. Seating is available inside Nudo Italiano’s 104-seat dining room with views of the exhibition kitchen or outside on the serene 20-seat patio. For those dining with younger guests, a kid’s menu featuring childhood favorites like rigatoni and cheese pizza is available, ensuring there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.
“Everything we’ve done in Las Vegas over the past 30 years has been aimed at making people happy. That’s what Las Vegas is all about,” says Jenna. “Of course, we always seek to create a sense of warmth and familiarity in all our venues, but with a neighborhood spot, there’s a depth to that experience. We wanted to create a place that feels like home—where families, friends and neighbors can come together to share great food, celebrate milestones and build memories. There’s nothing more Italian than that.”
Nudo Italiano is open nightly for dinner and recently debuted brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to try chef DeMarco’s delightful eggs Benedict.
“We set out to bring something special to the area, but...we truly feel like we’re the ones who’ve gained the most." — owner Michael Morton.