What to Order Tonight? A Deep Dive into the Best Italian Restaurant Summerlin Menus

📖 What to Order Tonight? A Deep Dive into the Best Italian Restaurant Summerlin Menus

If you’re like me, sometimes the most exciting part of going out to eat is perusing the menu long before you even sit down. Especially when it comes to Italian food—there’s just something deeply satisfying about the simple elegance of a well-constructed antipasti list, a perfectly curated pasta section, or a dessert menu that whispers “yes, you do have room.”

And here in Summerlin, Las Vegas’ upscale desert oasis, we’re lucky to have an abundance of fantastic Italian dining options. But beyond the ambiance and the wine lists, what really sets these restaurants apart are their menus—the true heart of any great Italian dining experience.

So today, we’re doing a delicious deep dive into the Italian restaurant Summerlin menu scene, with a spotlight on some of the best examples in town. Most importantly, we’ll explore the menu at the beloved Ciao Vino Ristorante, a restaurant that’s quickly earned a reputation for having one of the most exciting, thoughtful, and utterly crave-worthy menus in all of Summerlin.

 
🍷 Why Menus Matter (Especially When It Comes to Italian Cuisine)
Let’s get one thing straight: Italian food isn’t about complication—it’s about quality, simplicity, and love. A proper Italian restaurant Summerlin menu should reflect this philosophy. That means fresh ingredients, time-honored techniques, and just enough modern flair to keep things interesting.

Menus should tell a story. They should reflect the chef’s vision, the season’s bounty, and—perhaps most importantly—the flavor journey you’re about to take. And in Summerlin, where diners have discerning palates and a love for authentic experiences, a well-composed menu can be the difference between a good night and an unforgettable one.

 
⭐ Spotlight: The Ciao Vino Ristorante Dinner Menu
Let’s start where we should—with the restaurant currently redefining the standard for Italian dining in Summerlin: Ciao Vino Ristorante at Boca Park.

The dinner menu at Ciao Vino is like a passport to the regions of Italy, brought to life with modern Las Vegas flair. It’s not the biggest menu in town, but that’s intentional—it’s focused, elegant, and executed with precision. Every dish is a highlight, and nothing feels like filler.

🧀 Antipasti
You’ll want to start with something light, flavorful, and meant to be shared:

Polenta Fries – Crispy, creamy, and served with a rich truffle aioli. Think Italian comfort food, elevated.
Burrata & Roasted Tomatoes – Creamy cheese meets blistered, balsamic-kissed tomatoes. Add grilled bread and it becomes a perfectly balanced opening act.
Braised Meatballs – Tender, slow-cooked, and swimming in bright pomodoro sauce. Just classic enough, just modern enough.
🍝 Pasta
The pasta section is the soul of Ciao Vino’s menu—each dish is crafted with love and a serious respect for the Italian culinary tradition:

Wild Mushroom Risotto – Earthy, velvety, and decadent without being heavy. A must for truffle lovers.
Lobster Ravioli – Sweet lobster wrapped in delicate pasta, bathed in a lemon-saffron cream sauce that feels like Amalfi on a plate.
Short Rib Bolognese – Rich, slow-braised short rib with handmade pappardelle. It’s like a warm hug from Nonna.
🥩 Secondi
If you’re craving something heartier, the entrées at Ciao Vino are where rustic meets refined:

Pan-Seared Branzino – A flaky, Mediterranean-style sea bass served with bright, seasonal vegetables.
Filetto di Manzo – A perfectly cooked filet mignon with porcini mushroom demi-glace. Luxurious and unforgettable.
🍰 Dolci (Dessert)
This is not the time to skip dessert. Trust me:

Limoncello Panna Cotta – Light, citrusy, and beautifully balanced. A refreshing end to a rich meal.
Traditional Tiramisu – Made in-house, with mascarpone so smooth it might just ruin all other tiramisus for you.
 
🍽️ Other Notable Italian Restaurant Menus in Summerlin
While Ciao Vino sets a high bar, there are several other Italian menus in Summerlin that are worth exploring:

🥈 La Strega – Modern & Seasonal
Chef Gina Marinelli’s La Strega crafts seasonal menus that lean Mediterranean, using local produce and bold flavors.

Highlights:

Cacio e pepe with house-made tonnarelli
Charred octopus with Calabrian chile
Butterscotch budino with rosemary shortbread
Menus rotate often, but you can expect sophistication with every bite.

 
🥉 Basilico Ristorante Italiano – Refined Classics
Basilico’s menu offers upscale takes on traditional fare in an elegant setting. It’s a go-to for steak and pasta lovers alike.

Must-trys:

Lobster bisque
Veal saltimbocca
Spaghetti alle vongole (with white wine and fresh clams)
Perfect for a romantic evening or celebratory dinner.

 
🍕 North Italia – Trendy with a Twist
This Summerlin favorite mixes modern design with consistently delicious Italian-American fare. It’s approachable, energetic, and always buzzing.

Standouts:

Truffle garlic bread
Strozzapreti with mushroom ragu
Affogato for dessert
A stylish choice for brunch or casual dinner.

 
🍷 Trattoria Italia – Traditional & Cozy
A true neighborhood gem, Trattoria Italia offers a humble but hearty Italian restaurant menu, with family recipes and generous portions.

Popular picks:

Penne arrabbiata
Chicken Marsala
Cannoli with pistachios
It’s like a slice of old Italy in the heart of Summerlin.

 
🧾 What Makes a Great Italian Restaurant Summerlin Menu?
Whether you’re scanning the menu from your phone on the way to dinner or planning a romantic evening weeks in advance, here are a few things to look for:

Ingredient transparency: You should see what’s fresh, what’s local, and what’s seasonal.
Balanced options: A great menu offers something light, something hearty, something bold, and something sweet.
Intentional pairings: Wine lists and cocktail menus should complement—not compete with—the food.
Heart: The best menus feel curated, not crowded.
And in Summerlin, perhaps no one does this better right now than Ciao Vino Ristorante.

 
🍴 Final Thoughts: Searching for the Perfect Italian Restaurant Summerlin Menu? Start Here.
There’s something incredibly intimate about studying a menu. It’s not just about what you’ll eat—it’s about how you want to feel, what kind of night you want to have, and what flavors will make you remember it tomorrow.

So if you’re on the hunt for the most thoughtfully crafted Italian restaurant Summerlin menu, make your way to Ciao Vino. It's not just a meal—it’s a moment.

And in a city that offers so much glitter, sometimes it’s the warm glow of candlelight over a plate of pasta that stays with you the longest.

Mangia bene. Read the menu slowly. Order boldly.