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Fresh ingredients combined with a unique welcome-to-the-family vibe make Martorano’s an exceptional place for Italian dining.

Long known for some of the best South Philly Italian cuisine outside of his grandma’s house, Steve Martorano isn’t like most chefs or restaurant owners. A self-taught Italian cook from the neighborhood, Martorano has been entertaining diners with his unique blend of exceptional food, music and film for more than 15 years at his top Zagat-rated Ft. Lauderdale restaurant. The month of February marks two years at his Las Vegas location in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. In celebration of the anniversary, Martorano is proud to announce a revamped menu that reflects the Italian cook’s evolving love of food.

“I’ve always done things my way,” said Martorano. “I’m old-school Italian and I’ve always cooked what I love to eat, but my tastes have grown and my new menu reflects what I’m eating now while also featuring superior homestyle Italian-American dishes that pay homage to tradition.”

The new menu, developed exclusively by Martorano, features his signature touches on dishes such as grilled hot and sweet sausages with tomato, red onion and cucumber; spaghettini fra diablo; bruschetta with prosciutto di parma and sharp provolone; and braised pig’s feet, a classic peasant food dish. While some things change, others will always remain the same as guests can still find classics like the meatball appetizer that Gourmet magazine claimed “may be the best meatball in the world.”

“Some things are tried and true like our meatballs, San Marzano tomato gravy and cooking each macaroni dish to order with a fresh pot of water and Sicilian sea salt but we’ve added a lot of new plates too, giving guests an opportunity for new dining experiences,” said Martorano. “The success of our restaurants has always been about the quality of our food and my attention to detail. That’s the way I cook and that will never change no matter what I’m doing in the kitchen.”

The restaurant’s refined comfort cuisine mirrors the uber-cool atmosphere of Martorano’s. Modern black and white interiors, mounted plasma TV’s showing fashion, art and food programming while Martorano spins irresistible grooves of hip-hop and R&B creating an environment that rivals the finest lounges of Las Vegas and South Beach.

In commemoration of a second spectacular year in Las Vegas, the Rio is offering the Martorano’s Anniversary Package, celebrating two years of unmatched food and ‘tude. Available through the Stay & Play page on the Rio’s website, the package combines a two night stay in a spacious suite at the Rio with a $100 food credit at Martorano’s. To learn more or to book, please visit www.RioLasVegas.com.

Martorano’s modest start began with a sandwich delivery service he ran out his mother’s basement in South Philly as a kid. That humble beginning ultimately grew into a real restaurant, which moved to Ft. Lauderdale in the early 90s. He developed his signature “Martorano flavor” while becoming one of the hottest fixtures on the South Florida culinary and club scene before heading to Las Vegas for his first West Coast venture at the Rio. From his exclusive use of San Marzano tomatoes to Badia a Cultibuono extra-virgin olive oil and Giuseppe Cocco pasta, reportedly the Pope’s favorite – Martorano prides himself on providing his guests with only the best ingredients available.

About Martorano’s at the Rio:

* Martorano’s features traditional Italian-American cooking developed exclusively by resident owner/cook/DJ Steve Martorano. With locations in South Florida and the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, the top Zagat-rated restaurant offers a unique atmosphere that combines exceptional food with extraordinary music. Martorano’s is open for dinner daily beginning at 6 pm.

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

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