Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant was one of my favorites when my business travels took me to Las Vegas during the 1990’s. The restaurant, opened on West Flamingo Rd in 1992 by Gino Ferraro and his wife Rosalba, focused on authentic Italian food prepared the way it’s made in Italy. The family closed the Flamingo location in December and reopened in January on Paradise road just across the street from the Hard Rock.

Ferraro’s has remained a family business through the years and has become a Vegas landmark. A beautiful family photo on the wall includes the senior Gino Ferraro as well as his son Mimmo, who was appointed executiv e chef in 2002. But make no mistake, Gino still manages the front portion of the business. When I was there, he was everywhere seeing to it that the service and food were up to his exacting standards. It’s no wonder then that the restaurant has garnered a variety of culinary awards including the “Wine Spectator Award of Excellence” and the Epicurean Award for “Best Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas”. Gino has remained an old school restaurateur, being an exacting boss, gracious host, and friendly neighbor.

The new restaurant which can accommodate up to 480 people is drastically larger than the previous location with 9,000 square feet and a 2,000 square foot outdoor patio. It features a 36 foot-long wine cellar of 10,000 Italian and California wines, a unique double sided, wine bar, and wine lockers for regular customers.

I attended a grand opening event last week and was impressed with the overall décor. The restaurant has walnut wood-finished floors, crown moldings, and mood lighting designed to provide an open and airy ambience.

Gino Ferraro spoke during the opening. He shared some of his restaurant management philosophy, saying that “Hospitality is the hallmark of a good Italian restaurant.” He introduced Father Joseph who blessed the restaurant and prayed among other things that the bus boys do not break any dishes, the chefs use the proper seasonings, and the veal is tender.

I spoke to Gino and Mimmo about the menu at the new location. They said it will be 80% the same and feature their signature dishes of Osso Buco, Pasta e Fagioli, and Trippa Calabrese as well as homemade pastas, breads and desserts. The new location will include a greater variety of antipastinis or Italian small plates which will be featured on their lunch and late night menu. A Fritto Misto or fried calamari, shrimp, fennel, and zucchini would be a typical antipastini.

If Ferraro’s maintains its old clientele and attracts new ones to the more convenient location, the move will be a success. Ferraro’s Restaurant and Wine Bar is located at 4480 Paradise Road, north of Harmon. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM until 4:00, dinner from 5:00 PM-11:00 PM and from 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM, you can stop by for antipastini and bar service. I think this is a tasty alternative to late night steak and eggs.

If you visit Ferro’s, then Mangi, Bevi, Ti Diverti! Eat, Drink, Enjoy Yourself! For more information, visit www.ferraroslasvegas.com or call (702)364 5300

by Burt Davis