Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop Review

Authentic Italian Excellence Off the Strip

Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop offers a refreshing departure from Las Vegas's typical high-volume, tourist-driven dining scene. Located in the up-and-coming Arts District, this intimate establishment combines a rustic trattoria atmosphere with sophisticated culinary execution. The space features exposed brick walls, warm lighting, and an open kitchen where guests can watch chefs hand-rolling pasta. The adjacent wine shop allows diners to browse and purchase bottles to enjoy with their meal or take home.

Culinary Highlights

The menu showcases Northern Italian specialties with an emphasis on house-made pastas and imported ingredients. Standout dishes include the Tagliatelle al Tartufo with fresh black truffle and Parmesan cream sauce, and the Osso Buco alla Milanese that falls off the bone after 12 hours of braising. Their antipasti selection features exceptional imported cheeses and cured meats, while the seafood offerings include daily fresh catches flown in from both coasts.

Wine Program

The wine shop component sets Amari apart, featuring over 300 Italian labels with particular depth in Piedmont and Tuscany regions. The sommelier provides excellent guidance through the extensive list, offering both by-the-glass options and rare verticals. The retail markup is surprisingly reasonable for Las Vegas, typically only $15-20 above retail prices.

Service and Atmosphere

Service is knowledgeable and attentive, though during peak hours the small dining room can lead to slightly delayed attention. The staff demonstrates genuine passion for Italian cuisine and will happily customize dishes for dietary restrictions. The intimate 40-seat dining room creates a romantic atmosphere perfect for dates, though it can become quite loud when full.

Value Assessment

While not inexpensive (pastas range $24-38, mains $32-58), the quality justifies the pricing. Portions are generous, and ingredients are clearly premium. The combination of restaurant and wine shop creates unique value for oenophiles who can purchase bottles at near-retail prices.

Practical Information

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 PM-10:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 5:00 PM-11:00 PM, Sunday 5:00 PM-9:00 PM, Closed Monday
Reservations: Highly recommended, especially weekends
Parking: Complimentary valet and street parking available
Dress Code: Business casual

Recommendations

For couples: Request a table in the back corner for more privacy and order the tasting menu with wine pairings.
For business dinners: The semi-private wine room accommodates groups up to 10 perfectly.
For families: Earlier reservations recommended as the atmosphere becomes more adult-oriented after 8 PM.
For wine enthusiasts: Don't miss the monthly winemaker dinners and allocated releases available only in the shop.