After a long week in Las Vegas, I was looking forward to my final evening by myself at Giada’s restaurant in The Cromwell hotel. The restaurant has view of some major tequila signs on the side of the strip, but you can pay a bit more and sit facing the Bellagio fountain show. I did not. I was here for lemon spaghetti and to get in and out.

But first, antipasti… I opted for the arancini which featured salumi picanti, scarmorza cheese and a tomato sauce for dipping. They were incredible! I should have just left after the starter, but hung around for the main event…

Giada’s signature dish her lemon spaghetti which is basically all of may favorite food groups in one dish. I was ecstatic to have shrimp, mascarpone, lemon, and basil in one gorgeous dish all to myself to devour, but devour I did not. The shrimp were absolutely massive, but really chewy and rubbery and the pasta itself was just OK. She was a pretty one to look at, but such a dud in the mouth. Perhaps a recreation chez moi is in order… fountain view, extra.