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d i n i n g & r e t a i l F L AV O R
BROCK RADKE
MARINELLI’S AT THE M RESORT
EATING ITALIAN WITH THE MARNELL FAMILY You might not expect any of the beautifully designed dining rooms at the luxurious M Resort to qualify as a true family restaurant. But it makes sense at Marinelli’s, serving up familiar, fresh Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. The biggest sign hits you right when you enter the restaurant: it’s the Marnell family crest, representing the local casino biz clan that created and opened this place in 2009. A quick tour of the menu with chef Sergio Santoro reveals an even stronger family influence. Many of the restaurant’s most popular and most delicious selections are straight from the Marnell recipe book. “One of the favorites is the penne alla vodka with sausage, and Tony Marnell, Jr., created that Italian sausage recipe,” Santoro explains. “We make all the sausage in-house. One thing about this family, they are big on quality. That sausage recipe has been in the family for years.” For Santoro, who opened Marinelli’s and also worked for the Marnells for more than three years at Panevino, it’s a natural to mesh such family favorites with dishes that reflect his own style, like Dentice In Panato, an herb-crusted red snapper, or gemelli pasta with asparagus and prosciutto. Santoro says many locals are familiar with the Marnell name, and besides, the recipes are solid. “The lasagna is a little different because it’s made with filet mignon, a very fine grind of beef, and lots of ricotta and fresh parmesan,” the chef says. It also helps that Marinelli’s is a gorgeous restaurant with an open kitchen, private dining rooms, and a patio overlooking the resort’s pool. It’s no wonder that this family restaurant is keeping everybody happy. “The father loves the classics, but his son, Anthony Marnell III, is into some of the more healthy stuff,” Santoro says. “But he still cheats with some pasta every now and then.” Marinelli’s The M Resort-Spa-Casino 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South Henderson 89044 797.1000 themresort.com Open Daily 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
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