Cipriani Las Vegas — Restaurant in Paradise

I'm really torn about how to write this review, as things were kind of all over the place.

First - let's talk about the dress code. The website lists a dress code, which we adhered to, which meant that I wore khakis and the wife a dress with heels. It was around 112 degrees, I would have much preferred to wear shorts. However, we get there for dinner service and shortly after we sit, they start seating people who are walking in wearing jean shorts and flip flops.

If you're going to bother listing a dress code for guests to adhere to, you should enforce it or get rid of it.

Second - the servers are all wearing white jackets and black ties, giving a "high class" vibe, but the service, while not terrible, did not live up to the appearance they were presenting. We had just been to Michael Minas the night before, so our expectations were a bit skewed, but the service was too casual to have servers in white jackets. Also weird to have servers in like, tuxedos or whatever, with guests wearing jean shorts and flip flops. But I digress.

We ordered a bottle of wine and both the steak and tuna tartare to begin with. Both tartares were huge servings, which I'm absolutely not complaining about, but they were literally both just diced up proteins - nothing else in them. Typically there will be avocado, red onion, green onion, SOMETHING to break things up, and given the portion size, it really could have used something. That being said - both were excellent and I'd absolutely order them again.

Also - they have De Nigris (Founders Edition) balsamic on the table. If you're unaccustomed to true Italian balsamic, prepare to have your mind blown. This is fairly expensive to be table vinegar, so I was pretty impressed to see it and briefly considered asking for a glass so that I could drink it. The wife talked me out of it.. apparently that would have been embarrassing.

Anyway - because of the size of the tartares, we decided to share the gorgonzola gnocchi. When it was brought out it looked like a white blob in a metal serving tray - the presentation was terrible and I was pretty sure we were about to be disappointed - but our world was rocked. We both took a bite and were almost brought to tears. I've eaten and made a lot of gnocchi in my life and none of them are in the same league as Cipriani's gnocchi dish. Like, they're not even playing the same game. I'd literally fly back to Vegas just for their gnocchi and have zero apprehension in doing so. My only critique is like, throw some parsley or something on top of it so that it's not just a white blob.

We had the vanilla gelato and vanilla meringue. As I've gotten older, I've learned to really appreciate the subtleties of good vanilla and these two (especially together) were absolutely on point.

Overall, I was pretty impressed with this place. They seem to have a bit of an identity crisis, but that was easily overlooked because of the flavors. Prices are more than fair, too. It was $400 for the two of us, but that included a ~$200 bottle of wine, so $200 for the food itself seemed like a steal, as we've spent a lot more on places that didn't come anywhere close...

We had reservations based on my son in law who visits the Manhattan restaurant. This was his recommendation. We were celebrating our 35th. anniversary. Before arriving we received a text about no shorts allowed and proper attire required which we knew already and dressed for the evening. We were seated and waiters and waitress were very nice. We ordered wine and while waiting I looked accross the room at a later thirties couple with two kids. The husband was wearing shorts. No matter and it wasn't an issue at that time. They sat inside to the left along the windows.

We placed our order and we had the beat, asparagus and goat cheese salad. Delicious. Along with a shrimp calamari misto. That was okay. I was recommended the Dover sole and my wife had the pasta bolognese. When my fish arrived it was the whole fish but the waitress deboned it for me. My wife's was on a plate and then the extra in a separate cast-iron dish with the rest of it. I have to say while my fish was horrible. I needed a knife to cut it and it was still hard to cut. I have to say the sauce was good over the top. I ate a few pieces and couldn't do anymore. At $80 + for that dish it was the worst i ever had. I ate the remainder of my wifes pasta. That was delicious. As I sat there i watched an elderly gentleman and his wife come into the restaurant in their late 60s early 70s.. The Indian couple had already left about 30 minutes before. The manager walked up to him and pulled him aside. He was wearing more dress shorts and colored shirt and shoes with a dress sweater over his shoulder. A sophisticated look. His wife had a dress on. He made the gentleman go into the mall and buy pants so he could come in to eat. The wife was seated prior and waited for her husband to return. That just pissed me off. We had our dessert and coffee, which was delicious and paid our billl, which was just $480 with tip. Never saying anything thelat the fish was horrible. Thats not me.

My wife knew I was going to say something so she walked out prior. I asked the manager if he could step outside so I could have a word with him. An elderly gentleman with salt pepper hair and slight accent. I didn't even mention my main dish was horrible, but to disrespect the older gentleman with his wife and make him go buy pants at the store around the bend, and not addrressing that other guy with the family pissed me off. It was the last seating about 930pm. Did you really have to do that to him?

Meanwhile there were a group of late thirty year old guys in tshirts, sweatshirts and one with a ball cap! Nothing said to them. I felt this manager was intimidated by the others and he picked on this weaker older man.

I said my peace to him and he blatantly denied he seen anyone like that prior family. I described him and his family along with where they sat. He refused to believe me. Being a retired officer, I knew exactly what i seen. He Kept denying it, so I just said play your video back later and you will see you're wrong. 730pm we arrived they were already inside and they left around 8 - 830pm 07-07-2025. Was about the time they were there and left.

I won't be back to...

The perfect meal at Cipriani: Carpaccio, Cipriani Tagilolini with White Truffle, rigatoni with bolognese, Prosciutto Crudo Dolce di Parma, and Milanese. And finish it off with Affogato for dessert.

Walking into Cipriani Las Vegas is like stepping into a scene from a meticulously curated, glamorous past, where the echoes of old-world elegance mingle with the desert's relentless modernity. This isn't just dining; it's an experience, a narrative of luxury and simplicity woven into each dish served.

The ambiance is a carefully crafted homage to the original Venice locale, but with the unmistakable bravado of Vegas. It's opulent yet understated, a place where the ghosts of Sinatra and the Rat Pack wouldn't seem out of place sipping martinis at the bar. The lighting, soft and inviting, sets a stage where each meal feels like a private performance.

Cipriani's menu is a testament to the art of Italian cuisine, stripped down to its most essential, most soul-satisfying elements. The carpaccio, an invention of Giuseppe Cipriani himself, is a revelation, as if the essence of beef is dancing on your palate, tender and rich, adorned with nothing more than a whisper of mustard sauce. It's simplicity perfected, a philosophy that guides every dish.

The risotto, a culinary ballet of creaminess and flavor, embodies the spirit of Venice, and the baked tagliolini with ham is comfort food for the soul, elevated to an art form. Each dish is a reminder of the power of quality ingredients treated with respect.

The service at Cipriani Las Vegas is impeccable, with a staff that moves with the precision and grace of a well-rehearsed orchestra, ensuring that every need is anticipated and met with a discreet efficiency.

In the end, dining at Cipriani Las Vegas is more than a meal; it's a journey. A journey through flavors and history, a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian cuisine, and a reminder that, in a city known for its excess, the truest luxuries are often...