Nudo Italiano Opens in Southern Highlands,
Bringing Authentic Italian Dining to Las Vegas Suburb
features a lively bar, relaxed dining room and charming garden patio
Acclaimed Las Vegas restaurateurs Jenna Morton and Michael Morton have debuted Nudo Italiano, a warm, welcoming new neighborhood restaurant in Southern Highlands. Located at 4390 W. Cactus Ave., just 10 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip, Nudo is now open daily at 4 p.m., offering a fresh take on classic Italian cuisine in a stylish, relaxed setting.
The design evokes a coastal sensibility, with folding glass doors that seamlessly blend the indoors with the outdoors. At night, breathtaking desert sunsets paint the sky, creating a stunning backdrop for the dining room and the garden patio, a serene space bordered by manicured hedges. An exhibition kitchen frames one side of the dining room, while a lively bar anchors the restaurant, infusing the space with vibrant energy.
“Nudo was created as a true neighborhood restaurant; a place where friends, family and neighbors come together over great food and wine,” said Michael Morton. “We’re thrilled to be part of the Southern Highlands community and so grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received.”
Helmed by Morton Group Culinary Director Chef William DeMarco, the kitchen celebrates Italian tradition with seasonal ingredients, housemade pastas and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. The pizza program is guided by the UNESCO principles of Neapolitan craftsmanship, honoring the art and heritage of Italy’s culinary roots.
Menu highlights include diavola pizza, topped with tomato, ciliegine mozzarella, spicy salami and Calabrian chili; pipe rigate alla vodka made with prosciutto, onion and tomato; pappardelle with veal ragu, finished with sheep’s milk ricotta; cacio e pepe mezzi rigatoni prepared with creamy pecorino with cracked black pepper; and branzino, pan-roasted Mediterranean sea bass with eggplant purée and roasted cherry tomatoes
Starters include house-made meatballs and pomodoro sauce, and a generous antipasti plate featuring salami, prosciutto, grilled artichokes, roasted peppers and ciliegine mozzarella. Dessert offerings include a decadent pistachio cake with chocolate sauce and a whimsical “spaghetti and meatballs” cheesecake topped with raspberry sauce, chocolate meatballs and white chocolate shavings.
The beverage program is carefully curated to complement the menu, featuring a global wine list that includes Italian standouts and bold California reds, as well as playful cocktails such as the Amalfi Negroni, the smooth Espressotini and the effervescent Limoncello Spritz.
Spanning 4,000 square feet, Nudo offers seating for 78 in the dining room, 26 total at the bar and in the lounge, and 20 on the patio.
Reservations are available on OpenTable. Group reservations and more information are available by calling (702) 848-NUDO (6836). Nudo offers a children’s menu. More information is available on Instagram at @NudoLV, on Facebook at Facebook.com/NudoItaliano, or online at www.nudolv.com.
About Nudo Italiano
Nestled in the picturesque Southern Highlands community just 10 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Nudo Italiano is a family-owned restaurant from local restaurateurs Jenna Morton and Michael Morton. Designed to feel like a warm embrace, Nudo Italiano features a cozy dining room, a bustling bar, and a garden patio, offering an inviting setting for friends and family to gather over authentic, beautifully prepared Italian cuisine. At the heart of the menu is Chef William DeMarco’s masterful approach to Italian simplicity, where every ingredient shines and nothing is overcomplicated. Signature dishes include the Diavola Pizza, a bold and fiery combination of tomato, ciliegine mozzarella, spicy salami, and Calabrian chili; house-made Pappardelle al Ragu, made with rich veal ragu, sheep’s milk ricotta, and fresh mint; Calamari, lightly fried and served with lemon aioli, arrabbiata sauce, and sweety drop peppers; and Branzino, a pan-roasted Mediterranean sea bass with eggplant purée and roasted cherry tomatoes. Nudo Italiano celebrates the Italian tradition of communal dining, where meals are an experience to be savored and shared. From the aroma of basil and wood-fired dough to the curated soundtrack that sets the mood, every detail at Nudo Italiano is designed to transport guests to Italy. Nudo is open daily at 4 p.m. Reservations are available on OpenTable. Group reservations are available by calling (702) 848-NUDO (6836). Nudo offers a children’s menu. More information is available on Instagram at @NudoLV, on Facebook at Facebook.com/NudoItaliano, or at www.nudolv.com.
About Morton Group
Morton Group was founded by famed restaurateurs Jenna Morton and Michael Morton in December 2010 with the opening of La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn Las Vegas. The stylish restaurant showcases contemporary American cuisine with an expansive menu of craft wines, as well as a popular, butler-style Sunday brunch. CRUSH, which opened in December 2013 at MGM Grand Las Vegas, presents American classics from steaks and seafood to woodfired pizzas and pasta paired with playful handcrafted cocktails and a diverse wine list. Greek Sneek, also at MGM Grand, celebrates the spirit of Mykonos with fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Michael and his brother, David Morton, debuted ONE Steakhouse, an upscale steakhouse serving a thoughtfully curated menu of steakhouse favorites, at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in January 2021. In May 2025, the Mortons introduced Nudo Italiano, a warm and welcoming neighborhood restaurant in Southern Highlands dedicated to soulful Italian cooking and the spirit of communal dining. More information is available at www.Morton-Group.com.