Las Vegas: Canaletto Ristorante Veneto (September 2001)

My spouse and I dined for lunch at Canaletto Ristorante Veneto at The Venetian in late September 2001. A master of the rotisserie and grill, Chef Gianpaolo Putzu recreates the unique flavors of Venice, drawing from his extensive knowledge and repertoire of regional recipes. Complement your meal with a variety of fresh breads baked throughout the day at Il Fornaio's nearby bakery and a bottle of wine from Canaletto's list of distinctive vintages. The restaurant's architecture is as remarkable as its food with 16-foot ceilings rising above polished hardwood floors and a glorious exhibition kitchen. Luxurious booths envelop diners in intimate privacy. Upstairs, five distinct private rooms, for groups as small as six or as large as 175 - offer breathtaking views of the Grand Canal and gondolas passing below. Created by the founders of the Il Fornaio restaurants, Canaletto is quite simply the quintessential Venetian dining experience.