Nora's Wine Bar & Osteria

Ok, we're from out of town and a couple of friends who live in Las Vegas took us to Nora's. We did like the wine tasting, although the machines seem a bit pricey, and a little heavy on Australian wines. Still, the chance to try a variety of wines, without buying glasses of each was neat. Kind of like a wine tasting in the Napa Valley, but here you get to try a huge variety of labels and growing regions. I'd give the overall experience on the machines a 4 star rating and worth the trip to Nora's.

But, the olive oil thing with dinner - three different kinds of olive oil and three kinds of salt that come with the bread, kind of was overkill. Just a good EVO, with a little balsamic, or butter, and I'd be happy.

We had the cheese appetizer plate and it was very good, along with the salad. The pasta dishes were so, so. We ordered the linguine with scallops topped with tuna "caviar." It sounded good, but the tuna roe overpowered the dish. We also ordered a wild boar pasta dish in a marinara sauce. Again, sounds great, but the sauce overpowered the boar. We couldn't taste the meat. The best pasta dish was their Pasta Al Forno, which was baked pasta with a ground beef sauce, topped with cheese. The final dish we ordered was the Veal Marsala. This should be their signature dish. It was great. But, they were pretty stingy with the veal. I'd say, except for the veal, the portions are more than adequate for "family style," which is what we did. Took all the pasta leftovers to go and there were plenty. Alas, no veal left.

I think it's worth a try. And, we'll go back. I have a better idea what to order next time. Maybe, and I hope, my rating will go up. By the way, we found the service very good.

Pros: I'd go for the wine bar, alone.

Cons: I'll have to find the right combination of dishes.

Posted 02/15/09

I was totally disappointed in this overpriced and over rated excuse for a family style Italian fare restaurant. The sparce excuse for bread and oils started an extrorinarily unsatisfying evening. There were four of us, and after picking over the three pices of bread and three tablespoons of dipping oil (literally), we finally ordered. Thirty-five minutes later, our meal finally arrived after the waitress showing up once to check on our drinks. I ordered the Orro de Pollo (or something like that), and believe me, it looked like a California Roll in a Sushi Restaraunt, only smaller. Completely forget the "Family Style" cliche...I think that mean "Neuvo Cuisine" in Osteria (sarcarm intentional). My wife ordered the veal...five small strips of lunch meat with an admitably delicious sauce...not worth the price though, belive me.

After spending several wonderful evenings enjoying the Nora's on west Flamingo and their Shrimp Scampi with Garlic over a wonderful Angel Hair Pasta and several other delicious entres, this was the worst comparison I think I can imagine. Before you waste your time and money at Nora's Ostoria and Wine Bar, stick with the West Flamingo Nora's...or Olive Garden...at least the food is better.

Posted 10/09/08

I have dined at Nora's sevral times, the service has alway been great, the wine list is very extensive and the food is great. Try the Ceasar salad and the lamb chops they are our favorites. The somlier, Christina, is alway very helpful, in fact now we just let her order our food and pair the wine. We take all our friends there and they love it too.

Pros: Great wine food

Cons: can be loud and very busy and cramped

Posted 03/19/08

I was so excited when this restaurant opened as I am a big fan of the Orignial Nora's on Flamingo - what a disappointment. I made reservations for 6:30PM - the hostess called me back and asked if we could change to 7:00PM as she had made a mistake - no problem we were happy to change. We arrive at the restaurant around 6:30 planning to enjoy a glass of wine. We checked in upon our arrival. after 45 minutes (now 7:15) we checked on the status of our reservation - after seeing several table to seated immediately upon arriving. We were rudely told lby the hostess that we never check in. Finally after waiting another 30 minutes we were seated. Service was good, food OK, but after only a few bites, I wasn;'t feeling well and asked for my food to go.

In the middle of the night, my entire party of 3 that dined at the restaurant were very ill. I attempted to contact hte restaurant in writing and on the telephone and receivined no response.

I realize that these type of things can happen, but no respnonse. I will never return and have told this story over and over again.

As a 30 year resident and part of the hospitality industry, I was apalled by this restaurant's lack of response.

Posted 02/22/08

A month ago, my husband and I went to Nora?s for the first time. On the plus side, the food was excellent. Unfortunately there's more to the story. My husband ordered a glass of shiraz with dinner. There were two brands and he ordered the cheaper one (approximately $18 per glass). When the bill arrived, he noticed that we had been charged for the more expensive brand (approximately $28 per glass). He mentioned this to the waiter who basically ?blew him off?. I had just broken my foot several days earlier and was in some discomfort so we paid the bill, as presented, and left.
The next day I posted this on Nora?s own website and received an immediate reply from one of the owners, Mr. Marcello Mauro, expressing his apology for the incident and offering us a $50 gift certificate as an expression of his good faith. We accepted his offer and provided our mailing address. That was a month ago. So far, no gift certificate. Perhaps they?re being printed ;-).

Posted 11/19/07

Great wine selection! Play dates with the enomatic machines! I tried 5 diferrent wines without paying for the full bottle. A wonderful way to learn about different varietals and the staff is helpful, they really know their wines and are great at suggesting wines to pair with their delicious menu. Can't wait to go again with my ladies!!

Pros: Extra parking in the back!!

Cons: Not knowing the parking in the back!

Posted 09/16/07

I go to Nora's frequently, and the food and wine are fabulous. Nowhere can you find a more extensive wine selection for the prices, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Also you can taste different wines with the enomatic system and really find out what you like! I've taken many of my friends and they love the sharing style and the awesome food! Definitely a winner!

Posted 09/04/06

Went to Nora's a few weekends ago and this is a great new restaurant in Summerlin! Excellent ambiance and setting....food was delicious....had some some plates. The dates were out of this world! The bottle of wine that our waitress recommended was a pinot noir and it was delicious. If you don't already know about Nora's you are missing out. What a nice experience!

Pros: Ambiance, Wine Bar, Food

Posted 08/23/06