Don Michael's Restaurant — Restaurant in Las Vegas

This is a family owned restaurant located inside the plaza on Decatur and Loan mountain. If you are expecting fancy, this is not it. I was on the fence at first because of its location but decided to give them a try anyway.

Upon entry I noticed a distinct smell and couldn’t figure out what it was. It wasn’t overbearing but it wasn’t pleasant. The place was small and decor is cute and simple with a home-like feel.

We arrived at 6pm no reservations and were the only there so we were immediately seated. Our server was Kara (or close I’m sorry if I got it wrong) who was absolutely amazing. She was friendly, attentive, was patient explaining the menu, and continued to check on us. We ordered, the garlic bread with cheese, Caesar salad, meatball, chicken parmesan with penne vodka, and the chicken chature I believe that’s what it’s called. Side note; they offer happy hour prices from 4-6.

The complimentary garlic bread was delicious with fresh chopped garlic. The Caesar salad was simple and was also very good. They used the nice green chopped Romaine leaves with real Parmesan. We did find a piece of plastic on the salad unfortunately and didn’t mention it, as this didn’t stop me from eating it and we all make mistakes lol The meat ball was tender and the tomato sauce tasted fresh and not overly sweet like most places. The coating on the chicken was perfect and was cooked to perfection. Overall, both chicken dishes were made fresh with quality ingredients, plated very nicely and were really good. The portions are also huge so the price point is reasonable. We both took half our meals home. However, both dishes could have used a bit more seasoning. My chicken parmesan could have used a little salt, garlic, and Italian spices and my boyfriend said the same. Still good but just providing my feedback and based on reviews a lot of feel the same. For all of it, we paid about $45 and I added a $15 tip because she deserves more than the average 20%.

My overall experience was great, I will be coming back, and I will be recommending this place. I would just suggest adding a bit more seasoning, looking into the weird smell going entry, and advice that the cook wear gloves at all times. He was wearing gloves when we came in but I then witnessed him using his bare hand to separate the...

DO NOT EAT HERE! This is coming from a former employee. Yes, a jaded former employee, but that does not affect the review I'm posting. I helped out one of the brothers of Don Michael's (Mike) by volunteering myself to wash dishes for them four days out of the week, sacrificing hours at my actual, substantially higher paying job to do so. I can't deny that the food they prepare is good, really quite good, but the state of hygiene there is atrocious. From three weeks of personal experience, they should be shut down by the Health Department. For starters, they hire their dishwashers (quite frequently replacing them apparently) under the table, to avoid taxes and liability, without Health Cards. Having several years of experience in the restaurant industry, nothing was lost on me. The rest of the family (father and two sons, Don and Michael) don't follow code in regards to washing dishes, diluting the soap to save a buck, using the rinse sink (second of the three sink setup required by the Health Department) to pre-rinse AND actual rinse the dishes, without cleaning the sink out after pre-rinse, therefore rinsing "clean" dishes in a sink full of discarded food and waste. The father washes, and INSIST upon, cleaning wine glasses and cups with his fingers (again without washing his hands prior) and they don't check the bleach levels in the Sanitizer water. The brothers (the chefs) touch raw meats and then cross contaminate by not washing their hands after touching the raw meat. Don washes dishes in the hand sink in the kitchen and the floors and countertops are disgusting. I may come off as bias considering my previous connection to the restaurant, but I assure you, the review is true and impartial. It just took being yet another individual screwed over by this family to...

While not at all what I was expecting for this little Italian place tucked in the corner of a shopping center next to a smoke shop I will say looks can be deceiving. First you might not even know that the place you're looking at is about to blow your mind. Seating is quaint and limited perhaps 10 tables and only 3 that would accommodate more than 4 people but what I'm assuming was the owner and his wife greeted and sat us immediately. They were personable and non imposing, when asked what she would recommend she couldn't offer anything because she honestly liked everything they served or else they wouldn't serve it. The prices were middle end making it a good value for regular dining and the portions were on the larger side meaning 3 of the 4 of us took some home. First the mozzarella fritters were AMAZING, good temperature and well breaded and each could easily be a decent appetizer for 2 because they are large and your food arrives rather promptly. While not the dish I ordered I must talk about the Chicken Marsala, it was done EXTREMELY WELL. Often this dish can be bitter or tart because a cheap wine is used for the sauce or because it's prepared early and reheated but this was sweet, light, and probably one of the best versions of it I've had in decades. All yhe dishes were extremely good and the left overs held up after a typical reheat and the flavor wasn't washed out. In the end I cannot rave enough about this place.... if you've never eaten here give them a shot. I won't call it authentic or old world style but I will gladly say it's traditional and well worth the visit. I plan on making this a regular stop whenever...