Luna Rossa

As the fortunes of Lake Las Vegas have risen and fallen in response to recession and other challenges, Luna Rossa has been a constant. The reason is no mystery. Neon Feast contributor and former Review-Journal restaurant critic Heidi Knapp Rinella sees it as “an island of serenity -- on the shores of a lake, no less.”

Consider starting in classic fashion: beef carpaccio with celery and shaved Parmesan, or a soul-restoring bowl of minestrone. Then you can move on to a simple “primi,” such as the rigatoni with mushrooms and shallots in pink vodka sauce, or risotto with mushrooms, garlic and white wine sauce. The more substantial “secondi” include Pollo Alla Parmigiana and veal picatta. Or opt for even heartier fare in a 14-ounce prime ribeye steak or grilled lamb chops with rosemary-garlic white wine sauce.

If the weather’s pleasant be sure to ask for a patio table, from which you can watch the dragon-boat and scull crews practicing on the water.