How many times have you been out on the Strip playing cards and you find yourself at a great table? The action is good but the players are not.
As a poker player I’m not leaving a game like that.
Problem is before you know it your evening of going to play a little poker and grab some dinner now turns into a late night or early morning. Even when hungry you weren’t getting up from a juicy poker game.
Now it’s midnight and you still want to eat a good meal, but at this hour a lot of your favorite spots are closed. Well, not all of them.
If you are craving some good Italian food and it’s late, check out Ferraro’s (4480 Paradise Rd.) right across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Ferraro’s is open nightly until 2 a.m., so when you’re hungry and it’s late there is no better deal in town than their late night Happy Hour.
From 11 p.m. until close everything is 50% off the menu when you dine in the bar or lounge area. Don’t get me wrong, this place is fantastic at regular prices but at 50% off you can’t beat this deal!
I started with the Ferraro salad, which is mixed greens with their house vinaigrette. I absolutely love their dressing and you can buy a bottle to take home, as well as any of their homemade sauces. Ferraro’s is most famous for the Osso Buco served with faro.
Osso Buco is veal shank braised in a red wine reduction. I have had Osso Buco many places and I can tell you this is not only best in Las Vegas but the finest I have had anywhere. The veal is slow cooked and so tender no knife is needed. The meat just pulls apart with your fork. They serve it with a side dish of faro, which is a wheat grain similar to rice or barley.
Ferraro’s has an extensive menu of Italian favorites to choose from. I love the Gnocchi Bolognese when I’m in the mood for pasta. There are also several veal dishes that I like.
Bring an appetite when you come as Ferraro’s portions are huge. A lot of times I pass on an appetizer.
One of the appetizers I like is Affettati e Formaggi, a daily selection of imported Italian cold cuts and cheeses. I also like their Gamberoni Marechiaro, which is jumbo shrimp with lemon in a butter, white wine and garlic sauce.
By the time it comes to dessert I’m usually too stuffed but they have a great assortment to choose from, including traditional Italian favorites like Tiramisu and Cannoli. They also make fresh crepes served with Gelato.
Ferraro’s has been in Las Vegas for over 25 years and you don’t stay in business that long unless you’re doing things right. Trust me, they do it right. I give Ferraro’s a rating of 3.75 Forks.
Marco D’Angelo is the senior handicapper at Pregame.com. He co-hosts FIRST PREVIEW every Thursday at 10 a.m. on ESPN 1100 AM/98.9 FM. Follow him on twitter: @MarcoInVegas. Contact him at [email protected].