What’s a precision, multimillion-dollar, Lamborghini lineup
doing in a fine dining place like this?
Dal Toro is fabulous in more ways than any restaurant
around. It’s posh, pizzazz and has a twist that no other place I’ve seen can
offer. First, it’s in one of the latest and most elegant resort properties ever
built on the Las Vegas Strip — The Palazzo. It is also the only restaurant where
guests can dine inside a combination fine restaurant — and fine auto dealership!
Just the other day, I said to myself, “It’s time for a
unique culinary journey in a different setting.” Later, I received an email
about this new restaurant. I was invited to acquaint myself with Dal Toro, its
cuisine and the remarkable décor. I went, and I was so glad I did.
Co-owners Lorenzo Barracco and Fabrizio Sotti are
visionaries and created this amazing, unique restaurant. Their concept works
extremely well at the Palazzo.
Also part of the classy décor is a display of fine European
artwork by distinguished painters. It adds to the rich ambience. Enjoy
traditional Italian food with the contemporary twist, surrounded by 100 feet of
marbled, mosaic Palladian Italian fountains.
When my party entered Dal Toro (translated: meet the bull),
I met Assistant Manager Rex Herman. What impressed me about him was his
knowledge about authentic Italian recipes. He also has a keen knowledge about
the Lamborghini, a car that can outperform just about any make or model auto on
the planet.
Dal Toro’s director of operations, Gabriele Babini, gave me
an education about the finely crafted vehicles, which sell for a mere $250,000
up to $700,000. What I learned is that they are all hand crafted and their
maneuverability is unlike any other popular car in the world. So what does the
car dealership have to do with dining?
Well the fine-crafted automobile serves as the backdrop for
the fine dining at Dal Toro. I interviewed Executive Chef Fiorenzo Trunzo and he
stated that all the dishes’ ingredients are imported and made from scratch.
Watch the informative interview on the Celebrity Scene News Blog.
Let’s now talk about our culinary journey.
My videographer, Mark Richards, ordered Calamarette (baby
squid, lightly floured and sautéed in a spicy marinara sauce). I ordered
Capesente Gratinate (fresh gratin singing scallops stuffed with shrimp in a
bread crumb crust. Both dishes were served in a colorful, exciting
presentation.
I’ve always enjoyed fresh salad and truly loved the
Ensalada Caprese, (fresh mozzarella with tomato, oregano and extra virgin olive
oil). Another delightful popular dish is the Smoked Salmon Philadelphia, which
is a thin crust pizza with smoked salmon, capers and the brand name cream
cheese. Another thin-crusted pizza dish, the Granchio e Aspargi, has crab meat
and asparagus.
For the main course, we tried a Northern Italian dish. The
Branzino Croccante is a Mediterranean sea bass that is sautéed, finished in the
oven and topped with Panko bread crumbs, served with pear tomatoes, Kalamata
olives, capers and a white wine sauce. I dare say, this is the best sea bass
dish I’ve ever tasted.
Mark Richards ordered the Scampi alla Paprika, which
consists of large shrimp sautéed with paprika, shallots, brandied capers and
marinara cream sauce, served with spaghetti tossed with garlic olive oil and
imported Italian Calabria with spicy peppers.
According to Richards, an avid connoisseur of Italian
cuisine said it was just right, on the spicy side the way he likes it.
Chef Fiorenzo said, “You buy a Lamborghini, then you eat at
the bull.”
The art of fine dining doesn’t have to be dull. It can be
fun and exciting just as it was for my guest and me. And for those who want to
dine in an elegant surrounding at late night, the staff at Dal Toro will kindly
accommodate.
To accompany the meals with traditional Italian beverage,
the restaurant prides itself on stocking over 150 different wines among its
2,500-bottle stock.
With a perfect evening of dining, why not have a delectable
dessert. Profitteros are delicate, chocolate puffs filled with Chantilly cream
is a signature dish. The Torta della Nonna is a traditional Italian cake made
with pine nuts and lemon glaze. And to finish off the evening, what could be
better than Moscato from Sicily, the smooth and ever-so-delicious liquor?
The room is available for special events and corporate
events in the setting like no other. Dal Toro is inside the Palazzo Resort at
3225 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Call 702-437-9800 for more information and
reservations.
Photos
Courtesy of Dal
Toro
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My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
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