Azzara's — Restaurant in Nevada

Let’s get one thing straight—Incline Village isn’t exactly the first place you’d expect to find an Italian joint that hits like a Roman left hook and hugs you like your Sicilian nona after Sunday mass. But Azzara’s? Azzara’s is the kind of place that proves the universe still has a sense of humor and a little bit of mercy left.

You walk in and immediately feel like you’ve stumbled into an Italian fever dream—people are drinking red wine like it’s their job, laughing like they actually like each other, and the scent of garlic, tomato, and olive oil makes your nose do a little touchdown dance. There’s a vibe. A rhythm. That old-world magic that says, “Relax. You’re home now.”

Start with the stuffed mushrooms—bite-sized bombs of umami wrapped in a warm, earthy hug. Then there are the clams in white wine sauce, a dish so good you’ll consider drinking the broth like a Negroni. (Don’t worry, everyone else is secretly thinking the same thing—just dip the bread and pretend you have manners.)

Now, the Chicken Parmesan. My God. This is not your average sad-sack breaded bird slapped with a ladle of marinara and sent out to die under a heat lamp. No, this is a perfectly crisp, golden masterpiece. The mozzarella is melted just so—gooey without being obnoxious, creamy with the confidence of a dairy deity. And the chicken? Tender, seasoned like someone whispered sweet nothings in its ear before it hit the pan. This isn’t just dinner—it’s an event. Honestly, they could slap this on a franchise menu nationwide and retire on a golden pile of Parm glory.

And yeah, I get it—vegetables are fine. Whatever. But you’re here for pasta, baby. Ask for extra. Life’s too short for steamed broccoli.

The house red? It’s the kind of wine that doesn’t judge. It’s here to loosen your shoulders and remind you that you’re alive. Drink it. Smile. Maybe cry a little if you must—nobody will judge.

The staff? Pros. They’ve got eyes like hawks and smiles like they actually enjoy being there. Which, let’s face it, is rarer than truffles in the high desert. They make you feel like you’re being welcomed into a sacred rite, not just seated for dinner.

Azzara’s isn’t about flashy gimmicks or over-the-top Instagram nonsense. It’s about comfort, joy, and the kind of food that bypasses your brain and speaks straight to your soul. Close your eyes mid-bite and boom—you’re in Palermo, or Naples, or maybe just in the arms of someone who understands you.

So if you’re ever in Incline Village and your stomach’s growling and your soul feels a little tired, find your way to Azzara’s. Order the Chicken Parmesan. Skip the veggies. Dip the damn bread. And live a little.

Bourdain would’ve raised a glass here. Hell, he...

🍝✨ Azzara’s Incline Village – Like Coming Home to Nonna’s Kitchen ✨🍷

There’s something truly special about Azzara’s in Incline Village. From the moment we walked in, it didn’t feel like a restaurant — it felt like we were guests in someone’s Italian home.

Let me start with Andrea, our server, who gave us world-class service. Not rushed, not robotic — but the kind of attentiveness that makes you feel seen and cared for. There’s an Italian word I’m searching for — somewhere between garbata and contegno — to describe her grace and elegance. She was poised, warm, and truly made the evening memorable.

I ordered their oven-roasted lasagna (I don’t remember the exact menu name, but you’ll find it). It had the perfect balance of house-made Bolognese and creamy ricotta — simple, soulful, and satisfying. It reminded me of what my Nonna would’ve served — not overly fancy, but deeply comforting. Just real, beautiful food.

My nephew-in-law had the spaghetti and meatballs, and those house-made meatballs? Unreal. Soft, tender, full of flavor — melt-in-your-mouth good. And the red sauce tied it all together perfectly.

We finished with dessert: a classic cannoli (crisp shell, smooth ricotta filling), and a hazelnut chocolate cheesecake that was more like a decadent chocolate mousse — rich, velvety, and absolutely divine.

Lastly, I have to recognize Lewis, the busser — easily one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. The guy never stopped moving. Clearing, resetting, checking in — always with purpose and precision. People like him keep a place running at its best, and he deserves a round of applause.

🫶✨ Quick shout-out to the cream corn soup with fresh veggies, our garden salad, and the warm garlic bread that started the meal off right — simple...

I genuinely wish I had better things to say about this place, but aside from the decent service and a solid wine recommendation, everything else was an absolute disaster.

Let’s start with the food. The appetizer salad was laughable—imagine a burger, but without the patty or the bun. Just a sad pile of toppings masquerading as a salad. Then came the mains, which were somehow even worse. The pasta looked and tasted like something straight out of a can, with a bland, watery sauce that screamed “store-bought.” The ravioli was clearly pre-made and had that unfortunate rubbery texture that made it nearly inedible. Two people at our table couldn’t even finish their dishes, and honestly, I don’t blame them.

And then there was the soup. Oh, the soup. The “soup of the day” was cream of mushroom, which I’m almost certain was just an expired can of Campbell’s barely warmed up to room temperature. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t hot either—just lazily heated to a sad, in-between state. No one at our table finished it, which should tell you everything.

To top it all off, the water was filled with ice, which might seem minor, but in the middle of winter, it was just unnecessary and unpleasant. Given how bad everything else was, we didn’t even risk trying dessert.

Also, the wine glasses here are atrocious. They are one step above a red plastic cup. They are thicker than a toilet bowl. I tasted more glass than actual wine. For a $13 glass of wine, it should come in a normal wine glass. Not a goblet.

I don’t know how this place is still in business, but if you’re considering going—don’t. This was hands down one of the worst Italian meals I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t wish...