Quick Hits: Mario Batali Helps Two of His Restaurants Celebrate 10 Years

Mario Batali
Mario Batali

Photo Credit: Gabe GinsburgCelebrity chef Mario Batali helped two of his Las Vegas restaurants celebrate 10 years. Both B&B Ristorante at the Venetian and Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria at the Grand Canal Shoppes hit the decade milestone with two dinners last Friday night.

Otto kicked the night off with Batali greeting guests on the patio of the restaurant in the shopping center’s replica of St. Mark’s Square. A cheese and meat display with classic Italian cheeses and Otto’s housemade charcuterie; calzone with ricotta and prosciutto di Parma and prosciutto and arugula pizza: prosciutto di Parma, peppery arugula, fresh tomato, mozzarella and Cacio di Roma sat center stage while guests drank the Venetian Spritz with Aperol liqueur, Prosecco, orange slice and olive and Joe Bastianich’s Flor Prosecco.

Afterward, the group moved to B&B Ristorante for a four-course meal showcasing a blend of dishes from when the restaurant opened and new spring additions.

Check out the Italian B&B Ristorante for dishes that appeal to all personalities, from the classic to the adventurous. Bastianich’s wine list showcases selections from every region in Italy, many of them available by the “quartino” (quarter-liter). In B&B Ristorante’s dining room, classical Old World charm meets the stylish appeal of the Las Vegas Strip.

Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria combines the vibe of an elegant Venetian enoteca with the energy of a crowded Italian train station. The menu features an ever-evolving menu of thin crust Roman-style pizzas, antipasti meats and cheeses, salads, pastas and main dishes. Pronounced oh-TOH, in Italian, Otto means “eight,” representing the restaurant’s original location on Eighth Street in New York. Enoteca is the term used in Italy for small, local or regional wine shops where guests may sample wines from area producers.