Gina's Bistro

Mari wanted noodles but I didn't want Asian. I checked the Review Journal online for the new "Best of Las Vegas" listing for 2010. Locals had voted Olive Garden as their Best Italian Restaurant. What a shame. The multiple locations obviously put them over the top. Luckily the paper's staff also make a pick for each category and often it is inspired as it is for Gina's Bistro.

Gina's is in a strip mall on Durango near Flaming. As we drove up we noticed the entrance is on the side of the building and the rest room is on the outside. Should we go in? After peeking in a window we decided to venture in. We're glad we did. It felt like the cozy Italian neighborhood restaurants we loved in Chicago years ago.

Gina greeted us like we were family and led us to a quiet, nicely appointed table for two. She is from Roma and our waitress is from Napoli. She didn't mind that I pronounced my order ZUPPA DI PESCE (Sauteed calamari, clams mussels, shrimp, scallops, in a white wine tomato sauce reduction) "Peach Soup" in Italian. It was great and quite filling. Mari thought her LINGUINE ALLE VONGOLE (Sauteed with fresh clams, garlic, white wine and chili flakes) was the best she's had since our Chicago days. She finished it all even after a large and tasty house salad and some yummy bread. We were quite content.

But Gina brought over the dessert book filled with glossy photos of lots of tasty treats from Italy. Offhand, she said they made their tiramisu and cannoli on site which was enough for us to sample them even on a full stomach. Both were great. Gina thanked us warmly as we left and we weren't just being polite when we said we would be back.

Bottom line: GIna's Bistro is a very pleasurable and authentic Italian dining experience that cannot be matched by any restaurant chain.