DOCG Las Vegas is an Incredible Italian Feast
People get caught up in the ritz and glamour of Las Vegas and forget that there are some very worthwhile, non-bank-account-busting dining alternatives available within the City of Sin. DOCG Las Vegas is a scrumptious casual alternative to its fancy next door sister, Scarpetta, in The Cosmopolitan Hotel. This beautiful venue creates an approachable and fun vibe while displaying the same fantastic dedication to fresh and extraordinary ingredients as its more extravagant counterpart.
DOCG Las Vegas is a wine bar featuring a full menu curated by ridiculously talented celebrity chef and all-around-good-guy Scott Conant. D.O.C.G. Enoteca’s name stems from the highest category of Italian wine called Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, which means controlled and guaranteed designation of origin—a name that is truly indicative of the scrumptious and carefully sourced nature of DOCG’s cuisine and atmosphere. The decor is a gorgeous blend of modern and rustic architecture with old school brick and reclaimed wood while the menu highlights pizzas, pastas, Italian specialties, and some truly exquisite Italian wines. It is a compilation of excellent organic Italian food and Old World comfort, at very reasonable prices.
Photo Courtesy of Kendra S of Yelp
For an appetizer, start with the Grilled Octopus with chickpeas, caper salt, and basil. The octopus is perfectly cooked—succulent, juicy, and not even slightly chewy. It was my first time having octopus with hummus, and I put hummus on everything! The combination of the two was quite nice.
The Wood Fire Pizza here is an absolute Must-Order! I went with the Burrata Pizza with tomato, olive oil, and cracked black pepper, which had my eyes rolling into the back of my head in delight with each glorious bite. The dough is simply beautiful—not too thin nor thick—and the pockets of burrata are a bracing, cold contrast to the warm, soft, and chewy crust and marvelous tomato sauce. The Egg and Truffle pie is raved about as well. I will definitely try it on my next visit to DOCG Vegas.
Photo Courtesy of Katherine Potenciano Pintrest
The Pici with braised duck sauce and black truffles is so fantastic that you will not want to share even an iota of it. The pici pasta is thick, pillowy, and perfectly cooked, smothered in a succulent, unctuous duck sauce. The thick noodles contrasting against the pulled duck strands are the ultimate complement to each other that will take you to your happy place and leave you there on sabbatical. This plate could easily stand on just those two ingredients, but then Conant throws in intoxicating truffles and you have Pastavana, or Pasta Nirvana. The dish is bountiful, filling, and only costs $25!
Even if some of the best pizza and pasta renditions in Vegas leave you quite stuffed, do not leave just yet. Conant has crafted a Must-Try dessert that is splendid and so light that you will be able to fit it into even the fullest of stomachs. Let me preface this by saying, I DO NOT LIKE SALTED CARAMEL ANYTHING. I have been to some of the best restaurants around the world and “forced” to try numerous Salted Caramel concoctions. I usually acquiesce and am always unimpressed.
However, Chef Conant’s Salted Caramel Budino with pretzel toffee cookies was beyond outstanding. This is the perfect dish to satisfy the world’s weird addiction to salted caramel. It was neither too salty nor too caramely. The pretzel toffee cookies were a beautiful extra touch of texture and flavor. Start at the bottom of this multilayered pudding to ensure every bite will contain all the flawlessly balanced ingredients. Your mouth shall be whisked through a sweet and salty ride of homemade vanilla cream, caramel, and salted whipped cream. Oh, how I miss this phenomenal budino!
From beginning to end, DOCG Las Vegas is a wonderful culinary experience that proves price is not always directly correlated to the number of foodgasms at the table. This affordable and casual venue will leave a memorable and lasting impression on your taste buds that will have you expediting your planning for your next trip to Las Vegas.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Photo Courtesy of Kendra S of Yelp
Photo Courtesy of Katherine Potenciano Pintrest
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