By Don Chareunsy
Buon appetito! Caramella, a new Italian restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Las Vegas Strip and a hidden, swanky cocktail lounge, by Caesars Entertainment and Tao Group Hospitality, has opened at Planet Hollywood in the former space of Koi next to Strip House and Criss Angel Theater.
Designed by Fettle, Caramella is part restaurant and part lounge, drawing inspiration from 1970s Italy. Upon entry, guests are taken through a velvet vestibule, where a Murano glass chandelier creates the focal points of the bar and lounge. Glossy finishes and backlit onyx walls adorn the restaurant.
A candy shop with Italian treats (oddly not for sale) sits in the center of Caramella. Behind a secret door within the shop is a kitschy, moody hidden lounge – dare we call it a speakeasy? – dressed in 1970s wallpaper and centered around a mirror mosaic DJ booth. Layered leopard print fabrics and geometric rugs add whimsy.
Tao Group Hospitality Chief Culinary Officer Ralph Scamardella has created a menu including takes on regional Italian favorites, pastas and meats served Tuscan-style with sides à la carte at Caramella.
Dinner on Jan. 14 was flavorful and hearty: crispy porchetta, bone marrow surf and turf, blue crab mafaldine, Chilean sea bass piccata, veal chop valdostano, mushroom and Gorgonzola potato gratin, signature Caramella tart with dark chocolate custard and salted caramel, (a 12-inch!) NY-style cheesecake with raspberry coulis and berries and Dirty Caramella and The Gold Watch cocktails.
We were surrounded by customers with complaints, but our experience was superb, with kudos to our main server Michael. This was our second time at Caramella after attending the grand opening party hosted by 50 Cent on Dec. 29.
Caramella is open 4 to 10 p.m. daily, and the lounge is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays. More: Caesars.com
