Tuscany Gardens – Tuscany Suites & Casino

Many Las Vegas dining establishments are securely rooted in their places along the Las Vegas Strip. Some, like Firefly, have downtown locations that keep them busy. But others, like Tuscany Gardens, are worth noting if for no other reason than few other people seem to know about them.

Considered the finest restaurant at Tuscany Suites & Casino, Tuscany Gardens offers a menu of Italian entrees as well as a long list of wines. The restaurant is conveniently located right inside the front door of the hotel near the lobby, and though it can be fairly quiet on weeknights, you may want to make a reservation during holidays or special events.

Dimmed lights, quiet music and greenery around the restaurant provide a low-key dining ambiance. A selection of tables and booths are available for seating. The only thing working against its vibe is the fact that the resort’s sports bar is located directly across the hall from the restaurant, so it can get a bit loud during major games.

The menu at Tuscany Gardens is expansive and includes a wide variety of pasta entrees as well as veal, fish, chicken and beef dishes. Soups and salads can be ordered separately from entree dishes. Meals are fairly standard; pasta dishes include ravioli, fettuccine and tortellini in a variety of sauces with a variety of garnishes. Expect to pay $12.95-$21.95 for a pasta dish. Tuscany Gardens also offers a chef’s nightly special, which vary between six options.

Every table is given a mini loaf to enjoy with the meal. Wine is, of course, the ideal beverage to drink with pasta, but even though the wine list is long, only a few are available for purchase by the glass. Bottles run from $21.00-$250.00.

Top off a meal with a dessert selection. These include classic Italian dishes such as creme brulee, spumoni and cannoli as well as favorites including cheesecake. All desserts are $5.95 each. If you’d prefer to end your night with a drink, there are plenty of options there as well, though the espresso is a bit bitter.

Though Tuscany Gardens is not specifically worth seeking out, you may want to take note of this dining option anyway. Does it compete with some of the well-known Italian restaurants making waves in Las Vegas? Not necessarily. If, however, you want something a little less expensive than the grade-A dining establishments on the Strip but something more local than Olive Garden, then this is the place to wind your spaghetti around a fork.

Open nightly at 5:00 p.m. Located in Tuscany Suites & Casinos at 255 East Flamingo Road.

Photo credit: Scorpions and Centaurs