Let's talk Italian

There is a place in Vegas, right off the strip called Battista's Hole in the Wall.  In a word it is amazing, or in Italian it is Sorprendente (and no I didn't know that I googled it).  Not only is the food stunning, delicious, perfectly flavored and reasonably priced the joint gives you all the wine you can drink!  Yeah, you read that right...all the wine you can drink! When you sit down at the table they place two decanters of wine (one white and one red) on the table, and they continue to bring new ones each time they are empty.  Holy freaking cow...way to start off a night in Vegas!  The menu is simple and it sort of reminded me of The Old Spaghetti Factory (anyone ever been there?)  There are chalk boards on the wall with the choices like: spaghetti and meatballs, linguini chopped clams, chicken alfredo, lasagna, and Veal Marsala which I had and have not regretted for a second!  The price range is amazing $22.95 to $37.95 (for like file mignon) but most choices are below $30.  With each entree you received your choice of minestrone soup or italian salad, garlic bread and a homemade cappuccino, oh and complimentary all you can drink house wine, did I mention that?

  I had the soup and it put Olive Garden's to shame.  I know that's probably not that good of a comparision anyway but its all I could think of.  The bread is to die for, giant pieces of bread with huge chunks of garlic on them toasted a perfectly golden brown butter color...I had to remind myself I had veal coming so I wouldn't fill up on bread alone.  I was glad I did, 3 huge pieces of veal covered in the mushroom marsala sauce served with grilled zucchini and  pasta.  OMG...I almost went into a food coma!  I ate 2 pieces of the veal and most of the pasta and so badly wanted to clean my plate, but I just couldn't do it.  (remind yourself all the while I am drinking all the wine I want).

   Then they brought everyone the most delicious cappuchino I had ever tasted!  The whole expereince was perfect!  We couldn't do dessert (no room in the inn), but the cappuchino filled any need for sweetness...so good!

I love this place!  Huge props to my friends the Felices for recommending it.  Whenever I go back to Vegas there is not a doubt in my mind I will head to this Battista's!  Where do you like to eat in Vegas?  Have you ever been to Battista's?