Bravo! Cucina Italiana out for a touch of the mother country

DINING OUT

BRAVO! CUCINA ITALIANA, GALLERIA AT SUNSET, 1300 W. SUNSET ROAD, HENDERSON

Bravo! Cucina Italiana, which shares a parent company with Brio Tuscan Grille, opened May 28. Slightly more casual than Brio — the company calls it “upscale, yet affordable” and “polished casual” — the restaurant is decorated in a style meant to be reminiscent of a restaurant in the mother country, with an open kitchen, expansive dining room, bar area with fireplace and large patio. It serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on weekends. Here’s a sample of the menu:

Brunch: Berries and cream French toast, $9.99; Sicilian omelet, $10.99; ham and biscuit Benedict, $9.99; candied bacon and egg burger, $11.99.

Appetizers, soups and salads: Meatballs and polenta, $9.99; crispy shrimp Napoli, $12.99; artichoke and spinach formaggio, $10.99; Italian wedding soup, $4.99; Bravo! chopped salad, $4.99; Brussels sprout and almond salad, $5.99; Romano-crusted chicken salad, $13.99, grilled salmon salad, $15.99.

Pizzas and pastas: Pepperoni Classica Pizza, $12.69; roasted tomato pizza, $11.99; chicken, spinach and bacon pizza, $12.99; chicken and pesto spaghettini, $11.99; lobster ravioli alla vodka, $18.99; Sausage Sacchetti, $16.99; shrimp capanelle al forno, $17.99; pasta primavera, $13.99.

Entrees: Chicken Milanese, $17.99; crab and shrimp cakes, $21.99; eggplant Parmesan, $15.29; grilled chicken Marsala, $18.99; filet mignon Toscano, $28.99; balsamic-glazed chicken, $19.99; grilled mahi mahi, $17.99; spicy scallop marinara, $14.99.

Hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Call 702-433-4352 or visit www.bravoitalian.com.

— Heidi Knapp Rinella