Mercato Della Pescheria Brings Las Vegas Diners A True Italian Experience

Are we in Italy, or is it Las Vegas? Well, we did arrive to St. Mark's Square by walking past the Eiffel Tower, so it has to be Las Vegas. The Venetian Hotel, Resort, and Casino transports us to the splendor and ambience of Old World Italy. The recreated St. Mark's Square has a ceiling fresco that looks like twilight, and street performers hold court in the center of the action while ample "outside" dining venues lure hungry tourists to sit a while and savor the moment. One of those alluring dining spaces represents the true essence of an Italian seafood market and restaurant: Mercato della Pescheria.

Mercato has great service and authentic cuisine while boasting that "each customer leaves with a taste of history." The menu showcases the legacy of Italian cooking, from its bevy of house-made pastas to its Roman-style pizzas, such as the Margherita or the mouthwatering four-cheese. The Carpaccio di Manzo — thinly sliced tenderloin, raw pizzola, wild arugula, and Grana Padano — is a fabulous way to jettison the taste buds into another culture. The delicate calamari and shrimp are perfectly breaded in a golden-brown batter, and the house-made potato chips provide an extra crunch in between the tasty components. To paraphrase The Godfather, we say don't forget Mama's Lasagna, with a rich Bolognese between layers of homemade pasta, ricotta, and of course, Grana Padano. For an entrée, try the Veal Chop Parmigana with San Marzano tomatoes and fior de latte mozzarella or the Salmone Con Limone, a gorgeous piece of salmon accented only by lemon oil and Italian greens.

After a meal like this, a little Italian sweetness goes a long way. Begin with the classic tiramisu that is prepared tableside. The waiter whips up the mascarpone and spoons it gingerly onto the delicate lady fingers. Try it with one of the hardy Portos or a nip of grappa, and you'll feel like you're floating in a gondola in no time. With a lovely wine and cocktail list to whet your appetite and sumptuous Italian fare, Mercato della Pescheria may be just the respite you will seek on your visit Las Vegas' slice of Italy.