Nudo Italiano

Nudo gives locals in Southern Highlands a contemporary Italian restaurant to call their own. Restaurateurs Jenna and Michael Morton know the importance of atmosphere, balancing bright, but warm color tones with the energy of an open kitchen and a prominent lounge that's perfect for catching up with an old friend or saving a few bucks on happy hour discounts. Dayna Roselli of Vegas Revealed says “I like the feel of the restaurant, elevated but not huge.”

The pastas, cooked al dente with restrained amounts of sauce, reflect the name of the restaurant, which translates to "naked," allowing the simplicity of ingredients to shine. You can't go wrong with the best-selling pappardelle (long, flat ribbon-like pasta in a veal ragu). The Neapolitan-esque pizzas, cooked quickly in a wood-fired oven, are just 12-13 inches in size, making them ideal to share as an appetizer. Chef William DeMarco's preference for clean flavors even carries over to the chicken parmesan, which uses burrata in place of mozzarella.

Ultimately, Nudo works equally as an easy social experience with cocktails, wine and light bites or a special occasion dinner to feast on heartier dishes like a grilled New York Strip, veal piccata or crispy pan-roasted branzino.