This Restaurant Is Permanently Closed.
Restaurant Rating
Cost Rating
Food Type
Traditional Italian meat & seafood dishes.
Address
3555 S Town Center Dr. Ste 105, Las Vegas, NV 89135
To start, a big shout-out to Amy Leopard, the sommelier at La Strega, for contacting us and inviting us to check out this restaurant. Even though she was out in the evening, we dropped in; she took the time to leave us a lovely note with some wine recommendations. Now, on with the review…
La Strega, located in the heart of Summerlin, is a modern Italian trattoria that combines coastal influences with bold, seasonal ingredients. The name itself, meaning “The Witch” in Italian, hints at a bit of mystery and magic, but there’s nothing eerie about this spot—unless you count how quickly the restaurant fills up, even on a Wednesday night.
With a sleek ambiance and a menu filled with seafood-forward dishes, house-made pastas (gluten-free options not available), and a well-curated wine selection, it’s easy to see why La Strega has built a loyal following. The restaurant holds a 4.6-star rating on Google with over 500 reviews, and its popularity among locals is undeniable.
But as with any restaurant, no experience is perfect. While some dishes were absolute standouts, the service struggled under the weight of a full house. Whether you leave enchanted or slightly frustrated depends on what night you visit—and how patient you are.
Chef Gina Marinelli has an impressive resume that stretches from Las Vegas to Italy. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, she worked in some of Vegas’s top kitchens, learning from chefs like Michael Mina, Sven Mede, and Scott Conant. However, it was her travels through Italy—cooking alongside local chefs, working in coastal kitchens, and even joining a fisherman’s tour—that truly shaped her vision for La Strega.
Her cooking style is a beautiful blend of tradition and innovation, and it’s clear she pours her passion into each dish.
La Strega delivers a stylish, modern dining experience that feels upscale without being pretentious. The sleek decor, open kitchen, and warm lighting make it an inviting space for both date nights and casual get-togethers.
One of the best aspects of the ambiance is the energy—it’s a lively, bustling spot where conversations flow easily, and the open kitchen adds a bit of theater to the experience. On our visit, the place was completely packed, which speaks to its popularity.
However, that packed house came with a downside. As the restaurant got busier, service noticeably slowed. While the energy was fun, it was clear that the team was struggling to keep up.
La Strega offers a “Witching Hour” special from 4 PM to 6 PM, featuring a $45 three-course prix-fixe menu. It’s a fantastic deal for those looking to get a taste of the restaurant without breaking the bank.
For the more adventurous diners, there’s the “fidati dello chef” tasting menu, which is priced at $85 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $48. Unfortunately, on the night of our visit, the tasting menu wasn’t available due to missing ingredients—something that felt a little disappointing considering its prominent place on the menu.
Now for the main event: the food. La Strega’s menu is a mix of seafood, meats, and house-made pastas, all rooted in Italian tradition but with a fresh, contemporary touch.
We started with the charred octopus bruschetta, which was a standout appetizer, with tender, smoky octopus perfectly balanced by the bright, garlicky “scampi style” sauce. The caperberries added a briny pop that complemented the fresh parsley, making each bite both bold and refreshing.
With the meal, we had the roasted beech mushrooms served over an artichoke crema. The mushrooms had a deep, earthy flavor that paired beautifully with the smooth, slightly tangy crema. It was a simple dish, but it was executed well.
We also ordered the mascarpone potatoes, which were rich, buttery, creamy, and exactly the kind of indulgence you want from an Italian meal. They were a fantastic complement to our main courses.
For our pasta dish, we went with the rigatoni Bolognese. The sauce had great depth of flavor, but the pasta-to-sauce ratio was off—the rigatoni overpowered the sauce, making the dish feel unbalanced. If you’re someone who loves a saucier pasta, you might find yourself wishing for just a little more.
The star of the meal was the Iberico pork. Perfectly cooked, tender, and bursting with flavor, it was easily the highlight of the night. The pork’s rich, slightly nutty taste paired wonderfully with the sides, making it a dish we’d absolutely return for.
We finished with the chocolate olive oil cake, topped with blood orange zest and drizzled with hot fudge. The texture was moist, the flavors were beautifully layered, and the combination of citrus and chocolate was a winner. If you have room for dessert, this one is worth trying.
La Strega’s wine list is well-curated, with a thoughtful mix of Italian and domestic selections. We went with the GlassMen Wines 2023 Pinot Noir, which paired nicely with our dishes. The sommelier also poured us a taste of the 2022 Sierra de Gredos Granito del Cadalso Garnacha, which was another excellent pairing. The wine selection is definitely a strong point for the restaurant.
If you prefer to bring your own wine, the corkage fee is $30 per bottle, but it’s waived if you purchase a bottle from their list. With half the wine list under $90, it’s a fair policy that encourages guests to explore their offerings while still allowing for personal favorites.
This is where things got a little rocky.
At the start of the evening, the service was fantastic. Our waiter, Travis, was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. But as the restaurant filled up, the service slowed to a crawl.
We sat with empty dishes on our table for 15 minutes, despite multiple servers walking by. No one asked if we wanted anything else, and it seemed like there was a disconnect between the number of staff members on the floor and the actual attention to detail. It left us feeling a bit forgotten, which was a shame given how strong the meal started.
It wasn’t clear whether the restaurant was short-staffed or just struggling with organization, but either way, it affected the overall experience.
La Strega is a stylish and modern Italian spot with a menu that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients. The Iberico pork was outstanding, the chocolate olive oil cake was a delight, and the Witching Hour special offered great value.
While the staff was friendly and knowledgeable, they struggled to keep up as the restaurant got busier, leading to long waits and some noticeable lapses in attentiveness.
Would we go back? Absolutely. But if you’re planning a visit, aim for an earlier reservation when the staff is fresh, and don’t expect a perfectly polished experience if the restaurant is at full capacity.
La Strega has the potential to be magical, but on a busy night, you might just need a little extra patience.
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