Authentic Pizza in Las Vegas

[rooberu]

full disclosure: my brother is the owner of Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana (I am also invested in it) , so I have more than a little bias in recommending the place.

I have debated how to go about recommending Settebello since it opened last month without being dismissed as some sort of shill. Luckily, a favorable review came out in the Las Vegas Weekly that has backed up my opinion of Settebello. You can read the review here: Las Vegas Weekly: Settebello Review

I live near Seattle but have eaten at several authentic pizzerias in the Western US and in Napoli ( I volunteered to help with research!). To me, Settebello most closely resembles those pizzas served by the pizzaiolos in Napoli.

The crust is perfect, I think because Settebello gets the oven hotter than most other wood-burning places in the US...also because it is given a long rise with little yeast. All the ingredients are what you would find on a pizza in Italy, with incredible cured meats from Salume up here in Seattle and great fennel sausage made locally in Henderson (Primetime meats).

If any of you living in the Valley are fans of authentic pizza, you ought to give it a try. I'd say start with the Margherita (tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, and basil) as that is sort of the "gold standard" of pizza and then go from there. I'll be interested to hear what you think!

Settebello is in Henderson (1776 Horizon Ridge Parkway just off of Valle Verde Drive). Settebello's website

[nightscotsman]

Sounds great! A bit of a drive for me, but might be worth the trip. I can't find any hours, though.

[Philanthrophobe]

The hours listed in the article are as follows:

Settebello

1776 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway. 222-3556.

Hours: 11 :30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Bit of a drive for me too, but it looks great. Thanks much for the heads-up, rooberu!

[Brahms]

I can't believe a place like this is opening here in Vegas!

I have about a half hour of work do finish up then I am picking up my wife and we are going there tonight.

I live in NLV but if this is the real thing it will be well worth the drive.

I'll post my thoughts tomorrow.

I have been both to Naples and Bianco's in Phoenix, so I think I can give it a fair review, man I hope it's the real thing.

[rooberu]

I have been both to Naples and Bianco's in Phoenix, so I think I can give it a fair review, man I hope it's the real thing.

←

Brahms,

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts. I've eaten at Bianco's as well, and he sets a very lofty standard. His homemade sausage is about the best thing I've ever tasted!

I'm also hooked on the Spiedini he makes, but I'm a sucker for prosciutto.

I hope your trip to Settebello was enjoyable.

[Brahms]

Finally have a second to check back in. Here are my thoughts on Settebello.

First the bad:

1. Location, as I was driving with mapquest directions in hand, I thought I must have turned the wrong direction off the freeway. It seems that you turn away from the business area and head into residential which was a bit confusing, but the pizzeria is in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the Vegas valley. I guess I would not call the location bad, just not simple to find. Also it was the only negative I could think of with the exception of #2.

2. No gelato, after eating these pizzas I was transported back to Italy. Nothing would have topped the evening off better than a gelato. Any plans for gelato?

The good:

Everything else. This was the most authentic pizza I have tasted in the U.S. I don't want to say it is better than Bianco's, but it is more authentic Naples style pizza. To give you an indication of how much we liked it, my wife and I drove across town on Friday night to eat there. The next day we were telling our friends about it and ultimatly decided it was "best" if we escorted them there on Saturday night. I have already been telling my friends here at work about it today and we are planning a lunch run on Wed. or Thu.

Judging by the crowd I would say the word is spreading fast, the place seats about 50 and there were only a couple of empty tables each night we were there. I still got the feel that I was sitting in a place that will soon be thought of as highly as Biancos before everyone else knew about it.

Rooberu you guys did very well. I will soon be one of the few that can say I knew about that place before it becomes famous.

Was your brother the one making pizzas?

[rooberu]

2.  No gelato, after eating these pizzas I was transported back to Italy.  Nothing would have topped the evening off better than a gelato.  Any plans for gelato?

←

Brad (my brother) has talked about it, but hasn't made it a priority right now. Let me ask you, what's the best gelato you've found in and around Las Vegas? We've been all over the place, and I think the best is the Gelateria at the Aladdin. It's not quite there though. We've even thought about going over to Italy and learning to make it ourselves as Brad did with the pizza. We'll see how it goes but you are right, nothing would be better than following up that pizza with a nice nocciola gelato.

If the person making your pizzas was 6'6", that would be my brother. Otherwise, it was a pizziaolo that came over from Napoli named Carmine D'Amato.

[Philanthrophobe]

My husband and I ate lunch there last Friday, and it was beyond good--this is, hands down, the best pizza I've had since I left the Philadelphia area almost 20 years ago. We live at the opposite end of the city so it was a bit of a drive, but the directions were very simple--515 south to 215, then west on 215 to the Valle Verde exit, then south on Valle Verde to the intersection at Horizon Ridge Parkway--Settebello is in the northwest part of the intersection.

We ordered the Bianca and the Settebello (we wanted leftovers for later). Each 12-inch pizza is about $12 and could probably feed two people.

The crust is truly fantastic--smoky, chewy, and crunchy, the toppings are absolutely fresh with none of the heavy, cooked overtones that muddy a lot of the pizzas I've had here.

Here's a cool site about Verace Pizza Napoletana. (Now I understand why it's so good!)

[rooberu]

We just got back from a week in Vegas to help out at Settebello a little bit. We hadn't been down since it opened, so it was very exciting to see how things are going.

The entire week I meant to take a bunch of pictures, but only managed to fire off a few after hours last night. (I had to have a couple of pizzas before leaving! )Here they are:

My margherita baking in the oven.

Here it is, ready to eat.

Here's the Del Cafone. (Is it wrong to have 2 pizzas for dinner? what can I say, I was hungry) Mozzarella, sausage, basil, roasted onions & peppers

A look at the cornicione of the Del Cafone. At the risk of overhyping things, this is one of the best pizzas I've ever had.

[Brahms]

Looks great! After going 3 times in 5 days, I think we are ready for another trip down to Henderson tonight. I might have to try the Del Cafon tonight, I'll let you know.

[Brahms]

Del Cafon was a nice switch from the pizzas with sauce on them. I loved it. My wife went all out old school and had the marinara with anchovies. Grossed me out, but couldn't help loving how that thing looked out of the oven. Probably just as they looked 400 years ago in Napoli. Luckily the smell of the fresh roasted garlic was strong enough that I could stand smelling and seeing the anchovies. I just don't get it?

We didn't get there until about 8 and the place was about half full. I know the buzz is starting for your place roob, just a matter of time until I will be waiting two hours for a table on a Sat. night. Until then I will enjoy seating myself while I still can.

[rooberu]

For those that are interested, there is a nice article in today's Las Vegas Review Journal about Settebello.

Read it here

If anyone wants to subscribe to a "Pizza of the Week" email notification, you can send your email address to info@settebello.net and get added to the list.

I think this week was a very traditional pizza with Italian Tuna, olives, and roasted onion with tomato and mozzarella. From what I understand, people may not be ready for that one yet! It changes weekly though, (obviously) so check it out if you get a chance. I'm trying to talk Brad into a version of a Lasagna pizza I've had at Via Tribunali and Tutta Bella up here in Seattle.

[Brahms]

Knew it was to good to last. Took some friends Saturday and had to wait 45 minutes for a table. Oh well, having the place to myself for a while was fun. Still well worth the wait.

[lgott]

Another thumbs up for Settebello! Weekday lunches still aren't too crowded. I got there around noon on a Friday (April 7), and there was a good crowd, but tables were available.

The Settebello pizza (crushed tomatoes, pancetta, sausage, mushrooms, pine nuts, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil) was delicious. I'm not sure it matters that much what toppings you order - the crust is the star. It was chewy and crisp at the same time, with an excellent flavor.

It's a long drive from The Strip for a tourist, but I'm glad I went.

[rjwong]

On Fri. morning of my "April in Vegas" trip, I started my drive from Los Angeles. Instead of driving right into Las Vegas Blvd. (aka “The Strip”), I turned right on the 146 towards Henderson. It took a while finding Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana. Driving eastbound on Horizon Ridge, I had to go past Eastern & past Green Valley to find the place.

Yeah! I found it! And it’s time for lunch.

Bianca pizza

After a long drive from LA, this pizza hit the spot! I loved that crust. Fresh ingredients. Absolutely delicious. Grazie!

The oven

The dining area

As for the gelato, it was suppose to come on Sat. (29 Apr.). I dropped by on Sat. afternoon. No gelato. I was so bummed. I drank some iced tea and left. I’ll be back ...

I came back on Sun. for lunch. Apparently, the gelato did arrive late Sat. afternoon. Mind you, the gelato was so hard, they decided not to serve it Sat. night.

Marinara pizza

I wanted to eat something very light & simple before my dinner at Joël Robuchon at the Mansion. And here it is: just the crust and the sauce. Not even cheese!

Hazelnut gelato (slightly frozen)

I have the honor of being the first customer to order gelato at Settebello! During my vacation in Las Vegas, I got to meet and talk with the owner Brad, rooberu’s brother.

rooberu, you have a great brother! I’m definitely hoping Brad will open a location in Los Angeles. It’s worth the detour from the Strip over to Henderson!