J R
Google
The stretch of Grand Canyon Drive south of Flamingo has a trove of restaurants packed into a couple square blocks of plaza after plaza. One of those restaurants was Il Chianti, another heretofore undiscovered place which seemed to magically appear to me while idly scrolling Google Maps.
Very warm greeting from general manager(?) (Roger?) and Catherine upon entry and gave me every seating option. Catherine would be the server for my table as well.
Learned there was a 15% discount for seniors and military on that day. Prices listed are from the menus; discount was applied to the pre-tax total of the entire check.
Great beginning with the basket of complimentary breadsticks and saucer of fresh clean oil+balsamic vinegar. The two puffy garlicky mini loaves were piping hot, soft aside from the baked cheesed top, and so delicious.
Ordered
Umani Ronchi Pecorino 2024 ($15 gls x2): Very nice pours.
Petite Caesar ($10): Appetizer size but in no way puny, fresh green leaves, crunchy zippy croutons, just enough tangy dressing to impart its flavor without drowning the salad, plenty of grated parmesan on top, and (applied tableside by request) fresh ground pepper.
Pear and Cheese Tortellini ($35): A dozen drawstring pasta purses stuffed with pungent cheese, contrasted with sweet mild toothsome pear, covered in more melted cheese and vodka sauce, decorated with spinach, and ringed by five large, firm, snappy tail-on shrimp. Fantastic. Portion large enough to be shared IMO; had takeway.
Espresso Affogato ($12): Sizable ice cream scoop with chocolate jimmies, topped with a dollop of cream, dusted with cocoa, with a ladyfinger carefully perched aslant. The double shot of espresso was poured into the pretty large ceramic cup tableside. A sweet jolt.
Value: Very high.
Service: Very attentive from Catherine, the water bearer ensured the glass was always full, the GM and Chef/owner Rodolfo "Rudy" Janeo, Jr. walked the floor checking in and speaking with the guests.
Atmosphere: Relaxing; could be casual, cozy, formal, romantic. Facilities possibly reflected the fluid nature of the restaurant; trompe-l'œil wallpaper, pictures of cute birds alongside a tasteful provocative black-and-white portrait of a lady, and false greenery abound. The airy main floor in cream and dark wood had arched doorways, a wine wall, and bottles in cutaway nooks. Music was in the vein of "That's Amore".
etc
•Reservations available via OpenTable.
•Located within the maze of the Grand Canyon Parkway shopping center. I'd say Il Chianti is the north anchor in the one plaza where Chuck E. Cheese would be the south anchor.
•By car, within spitting distance of the 215/Flamingo exit. Relatively short walk from several apartments, condos, and hotels including Aster Blue Diamond, Aspire, Hampton Inn, REVERB, and The Cliffs at Peace Canyon.
•Speciality cocktails envisioned to become available in the future.