Basilico Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Spring Valley

24 October 2024 visit: Basilico occasionally hosts special event dinners; this one spotlighted Caymus Vineyards. For a bit over $200 (base price, booking fee, tax, and autograt), diners enjoyed a four course, six plate meal from Chef Francesco Di Caudo united with five Caymus wines chosen for this event.

Allow me to state that not every dish served agreed with my palate. But four out of the six did in a spectacular way. One, the Scallop Crudo, looks to be on the daily menu; I can only hope that some version of the others (venison, quail&fig risotto, sour cream gelato) eventually makes their way onto the daily menu.

The wine pairings from Caymus were on point and the pours were not stingy.

The bottled water was not included with the dinner, so I unwittingly got zinged for $9, plus 20% autograt to boot. Ouch. My fault for forgetting the magic word "tap".

Service was very pleasant.

Atmosphere was modern elegance, cosy, and further enhanced by the talents of live singer Michael Ross Nugent.

24 July 2024 visit: Basilico has been running a Tour of Italy, highlighting a region of the country's culinary offerings in a four-course tasting menu about every two weeks; seems to be running into September. My dinner was during Lazio, which ends 28 July.

But first, a $9 Happy Hour cocktail, the Fiore di Fiamma; pretty presentation, gently tart.

First course - Began the food journey with the Suppli di Coda, an oxtail soup condensed into a creamy hearty paste within a crispy croquette duo. The Carciofi alla Romana quickly followed, firm bite on the artichoke, soft milky cheese, subtle herb.

Second course - both pastas, Tortello Carbonara and Rigatoni Amatriciana, were brought out at the same time. Personally I dislike hot dishes arriving to the table simultaneously; I worry about the cooling factor. Tortello - three cute purses of toothsome pasta with enough peas, pork, and pepper to add weight to each bite. There was a slight sweetness to the dish; that and its size were what made me start in on this before the Rigatoni - the bowl this pasta came in was magical, keeping its contents hot (so tamped down my hot-dishes-all-at-once peeve). Loads of tubes in a rich peppery tomato sauce. Belly-filling.

Third course Saltimbocca - a palm-width of tender beef, juicy, but it was the gnocchi which sent each rich bite into flavor nirvana.

Fourth course Maritozzo - classic sweet bun. Was amused a bit that, true to the menu, there was one lonely firm cherry, in the center of the pastry.

Finished with another cocktail, the Buona Notte; excellent strong coffee flavor.

Value - Incredible at $59 for the tasting menu, with enough variety across the dishes, and nicely proportioned, to avoid taste bud fatigue. The Happy Hour menu had a goodly selection of items at tempting prices.

Atmosphere - Depending upon where the seat is at the bar, one can have a view of the mountains, stage, TVs, or all three. Deco is attractive contemporary chic.

Service - from Anthony was superb, great awareness and engagement with patrons all over the bar area, and excellent cocktail craftsmanship.

From my 09 December 2023 visit, have to rave about the Smoke & Spice cocktail - Subtle taste, gave a pleasant buzz, great fall/winter drink. Enjoyed it so much had three. and the octopus special - great char (maybe a bit too much at the tip) and taste, the tomato marmalade was a fantastic inclusion. Can recommend the oysters and the spaghetti as well. Liked the Millefoglie dessert. Service from Alexys and the S&S crafter (apologies for not knowing/remembering name)...

My husband and I have been wanting to try this place for a while now and THANK GOODNESS we finally got the chance to stop by last night! I wish we would have come sooner because this place is AMAZING!

First off, the ambiance is incredible. They had a live performer singing when we got there and it gave it such an authentic upscale Italian lounge vibe. His voice was awesome and not too loud and he sang a great variety of songs!

We started off with a couple glasses of wine and ordered the wagyu meatballs as an appetizer. It was a generous portion of meatballs and they were tender and flavorful! Definitely more than enough for two people to share as a starter!

For dinner, our wonderful server Rebecca recommended I add the seared scallops to my mushroom risotto, so I took her advice and OH MY GOODNESS...... I am pretty picky when it comes to scallops, but these were some of the best scallops I've honestly ever had! They were sweet and savory, buttery, juicy, not over cooked, they were PERFECT! I'd come and just order seared scallops as my entree! The mushroom risotto was delicious and cooked to perfection as well! My husband ordered the lasagna and he loved it as well but when he tried one of my scallops he was equally impressed! Our daughter enjoyed a small bowl of pasta with Parmesan for her entree and almost ate the entire portion!

Not only was the food excellent but the overall service was top notch. It's hard to find a waitress who you can tell genuinely cares about your dining experience and Rebecca was FANTASTIC! She was attentive, very knowledgeable on the food and drink items and soo friendly! We will definitely be back to see her!

Rebecca let me know of the oyster specials they have on Tuesdays which I will make a point to come back and try for sure! She also let us know they sell Caymus by the glass (which is one of my favorites!). It was definitely hard to decide what to order because everything sounded delicious, so I guess we will just have to come back and try new things each time!

What a great option in the southwest area for authentic, quality Italian food! Soo glad we were finally able to make it to Basilico and we really enjoyed the service provided by Rebecca and the rest...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of dining at Basilico in Las Vegas, and I must say it was a truly memorable experience. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a warm and inviting ambience that created a cozy and intimate atmosphere, when you walk in there’s an impressive wall wine cellar to the right creating a grand and chic entrance. The decor is simple yet modern, with comfortable seating and beautiful Sofia Loren wall art. The live piano player and singer added an extra touch of elegance and charm, making the evening even more delightful.

The service at Basilico was top-notch, and our waiter, Jose, provided attentive and friendly service throughout our meal. He was knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations, further enhancing our dining experience.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Every dish that arrived at our table was a masterpiece. Starting with the bread basket and homemade butter, it was evident that attention to detail and quality ingredients were a priority. The Burrata salad, with its unique twist featuring kombucha squash, was a delightful surprise. The combination of flavors and textures was simply outstanding.

The highlight of the meal was the spaghetti with a sauce made from three different tomatoes,Roma, Cherry and San Manzano. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauce was rich, flavorful, and incredibly delicious. Each bite was a burst of savory goodness that left me wanting more.

To complement the meal, I indulged in a Basilico spritz cocktail. It was expertly crafted and perfectly balanced, showcasing the restaurant’s dedication to creating memorable and flavorful beverages.

Overall Basilico is a gem that excels in every aspect. From the warm and intimate ambience enhanced by live music, to the impeccable service provided by Jose, and the outstanding food, this dining experience exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers a combination of excellent food, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere, Basilico is the...