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Baked Alaska

RPM Italian brings its fine-dining concept to The Forum Shops at Caesars By Nina King

This summer, Las Vegas has seen the openings of several celebrity-driven and celebrity-favorite restaurants, such as Nobu Las Vegas and The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Paris, as well as RPM Italian at The Forum Shops at Caesars. And RPM, from the Chicago-based RPM restaurant group founded by celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic and siblings R.J., Molly and Jerrod Melman (from the popular Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises) opened to great fanfare.

A joy of many Italian restaurants is that dining is a leisurely, convivial experience, and RPM is no exception. The décor provides a clean palette of black and white with modern lines, and you’ll find yourself guided in your meal by a knowledgeable, white-jacketed captain, who can make informed recommendations, such as a signature cocktail. Try the inventive Crystal Paloma with Casamigos blanco, clarified grapefruit juice and citrus salt, plus a rectangular cube of ice that keeps the

Lobster caprese drink at a sippable temperature. Order the Spritz & Giggles for a whimsical combo of prosecco, vodka and wild strawberry; and if you are going light on the alcohol, I recommend the N’Aperol Spritz, a tasty treat showcasing Lyre’s Amalfi spritz. It wonderfully mimics an Aperol spritz (and if you want the alcohol, order the Portofino Spritz).

Be warned, if the truffled garlic bread is presented to the next table, you will find yourself ordering it for your party—it is that wonderfully fragrant. Provolone-stuffed peppers are tasty little

bites presented with marinated olives and pecorino cheese, and you may find yourself hoarding the olives. Squash blossoms, steak tartare and Prime beef meatballs all fatten up the antipasti choices, but if you Caesars are feeling even more decadent, Palace the Maine lobster caprese with 866.227.5938 buffalo mozzarella and basil is a beautiful dish. Or go all out with the imported burrata and caviar. The Amalfitana pizette is one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had, with thinly sliced Meyer lemon and red onions giving it a lovely, tangy flavor. You’ll find a good number of pasta dishes, as befits an Italian restaurant, and the Maine lobster pansotti is a popular Imported burrata and caviar choice, with lobster marsala and sweet basil. The seasonal sweet corn agnolotti is stuffed with mascarpone and anointed with summer truffles. Order it now before it disappears. If you want a substantive entrée, you won’t go wrong with filet mignon and bone-in ribeye. Classic dishes include the eggplant Parmesan alla Billi (it’s a bigger portion than you think, so be careful), and spaghetti and meatballs. Maine lobster fra diavolo is served with spicy pomodoro and a side dish of Calabrian chili butter. If you still need a little something at the end, baked Alaska is so very impressive, with flames pouring down as you wait in anticipation.