Taste

RPM Italian brings fresh energy to Las Vegas’ Forum Shops at Caesars

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RPM Italian’s lobster caprese
Lindsey Eberly / Courtesy

Whenever my best friend’s mother comes to town, I’ll find any excuse to head in her direction. She makes the best chow mein noodles, among other delicious Chinese dishes.

Bill Rancic and his wife, Giuliana, had a similar experience when her mother would visit from Naples, Italy: Giuliana’s friends would rush over to partake in whatever Italian feast her mother would whip up. Those feasts inspired the launch of RPM Italian.

The celebrity couple teamed up with Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a Windy City company with a long history of success in Las Vegas, to launch the flagship location in Chicago and the new location on the Strip, taking over the Forum Shops at Caesars spot briefly occupied by the Slanted Door.

“We were looking here for literally the last five years,” Bill Rancic says. “When this opportunity came up—we’ve always loved the Forum Shops; it’s world-class shopping and just fun—we jumped at it.”

I started my first visit with a glass of Montinore Estate’s Almost Dry Riesling ($14), and my friend ordered the 22 Hundred Cellars’ 52W Cabernet Sauvignon ($16), immediately noticing our glasses were the ideal size and shape for our selections. Wine is an essential part of the RPM experience, a social meal centered on sharing dishes.

The burrata salad was the special of the day, which we ordered as our appetizer. Imported from Italy, the creamy cheese sat in a colorful bed of basil pesto sauce, more fresh basil and heirloom tomatoes, and it spread as easily as warm butter.

The moment we finished it off, our server delivered our entrées—Maine lobster pansotti ($36) and pappardelle Bolognese ($26). The seafood dish features handmade ravioli-style pasta topped with sweet basil in a bowl of marsala sauce. Through its smell alone, I was transported to the seaside as soon as it was set down. The pappardelle, also handmade, was layered with beef short rib ragu, which has a slightly sweet finish, and topped with Parmesan and parsley.

Naturally, we had to try the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu ($12). Although topped with caramel, it still managed to be the perfect light treat. We also tried the Torta Meringata ($22), flambéed tableside with vanilla ice cream at the center and salted caramel and warm chocolate sauce on top.

As it goes with any family meal, we headed home happily stuffed.

RPM Italian The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-860-2225, rpmrestaurants.com. Monday - Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

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