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Photo credit: Chris Wessling
Set just ten minutes south of the Strip, Nudo feels worlds away from casino crowds and culinary theatrics. The design leans coastal Italian—sunlit, airy, and unfussy—with floor-to-ceiling windows, natural woods, and a lively open bar anchoring the space. A glass wall offers guests a peek into the kitchen, where pastas are rolled, pizzas are fired, and plates are assembled with care. Outdoors, a hedge-lined patio offers an easygoing al fresco escape. It's the kind of place where friends meet for a weeknight dinner, and one glass of wine easily becomes two.
Chef William DeMarco oversees a menu that favors comfort over complication—handmade pastas, house-baked breads, and wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas done right. For Michael Morton, Nudo marks a return to Italian cooking for the first time since his beloved (and now-shuttered) Nove Italiano. The project also feels personal: Morton's grandfather, Arnie Morton, founded the iconic Morton’s steakhouse brand, and Michael helped shape Vegas nightlife through his early 2000s N9NE Group at the Palms. With Nudo, he’s trading high-energy dining for something quieter, cozier, and meant to last.
Start with the baked clams, served “vongole” style with pancetta, pepperoncini, and roasted peppers—a briny, smoky, kicky bite that sets the tone. The polpette, rich and tender, deliver all the nostalgic satisfaction of Sunday dinner. And the pepperoni pizza, fired in a traditional wood-burning oven and topped with creamy vodka sauce, is a spicy, slightly indulgent standout that hits all the right notes. Pastas are made fresh daily, and it shows in dishes like the Pappardelle al Ragu, layered with slow-cooked veal, sheep’s milk ricotta, and fresh mint. It’s simple, soulful, and executed with the kind of quiet confidence that defines the entire menu.
The beverage program offers a solid mix of familiar and inventive—think crisp Italian whites, bold Barolos, and creative cocktails like the Paloma Italiana and an Espressotini that channels dessert in a glass. There’s even a Spritz Bar, dedicated to all things bubbly and bright. More than just a new restaurant, Nudo feels like the missing piece of Southern Highlands—a neighborhood spot with Strip-level polish and a heartbeat all its own. Whether you’re chasing a great pizza, a glass of Barolo, or just a place where everyone feels like a local, this is one worth bookmarking.
