Carmine’s Little Italy is back. Carmine Vento, who started Nevada’s version of Villa Pizza in 1976 and has operated countless other restaurants—resumed control of his namesake sports bar and Italian restaurant near the Lakes. Once a neighborhood favorite, food and service slipped after Vento sold the joint four years ago. Now he’s returning to the old ways. “Me and my family take pride in what we do,” he said. “I regret selling the place to investors who didn’t care about the product.”

Carmine’s Little Italy reopened a couple months ago after renovating to separate the bar from the dining room, and rock-solid bar grub, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads anchor the menu. Vento’s restaurant stable also includes another Little Italy (445 Marks St.) and Ventano (191 S. Arroyo Grande Blvd.) in Henderson, and Carmine’s Pizza Kitchen (2211 Maryland Parkway) on the east side.