Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar

Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Ambra Italian Kitchen + Bar is situated in The District at MGM Grand. Décor elements include vintage fixtures, jewel tones, earthy hues, red booths and dark wood in the dining room. A honey-golden onyx countertop is the centerpiece in the bar/lounge, and a hidden, "secret" speakeasy cocktail bar is inspired by luxury Italian sports cars with intricate detailing on sleek leather upholstery.

Likes: In addition to 18 wines by the glass, also offered is a rotating selection of four 3- or 6-oz. Coravin pours not usually available by the glass, such as the 2013 Quintessa Napa Valley Magnum.
Dislikes: The acoustics of the room allow for a lively atmosphere, so if a quiet room is more your style, consider dining earlier in the evening.

Food & Drinks: Begin with blue fin tuna prepared with cucumber, radish and avocado, or caprese with bufala mozzarella, marinated tomato and vincotto. House-made pastas are done well here, and we like the ravioli with ricotta, fennel and citrus; and rigatoni amatriciana with guanciale, onion, tomatoes, chile and pecorino. Carnivores will be satisfied with the Japanese F1 Wagyu NY striploin or 45-day dry-aged bone-in rib-eye. Not-to-be-missed sides are broccolini and chilies, and Tuscan potatoes with butter and Parmigiano. Good finales are the tiramisu and the Ambra vanilla cake with Italian meringue. The beverage program includes an expansive whiskey, bourbon and scotch list with more than 100 options, some very high-end, such as Macallan Fine Oak 30-Year; wines mainly from Italy, France and the U.S. noted by region; and signature cocktails, among them the Forbidden Fruit with Toki Japanese whiskey, Laird’s Apple Brandy, ginger syrup, maple and angostura bitters.