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A quick turnaround of the former Samba Brazilian Steakhouse space at the Mirage gets revealed on Feb. 1 when Osteria Costa makes its debut with a menu of Italian dishes meant to evoke the Amalfi Coast.
A mix of classic dishes such as hand-pulled mozzarella, housemade pastas, traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas, seafood, and more make the menu from executive chef Michael LaPlaca, whose neighboring Portofino closed after service on New Year’s Eve.
Starters include meatballs made with pork, beef, and veal then served with pomodoro, whipped ricotta and grilled bread or a frutti di mare salad with poached shrimp and squid, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon, arugula, and shaved radish.
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Pasta dishes include a rigatoni alla Norma, a vegetarian dish with eggplant, garlic, and pomodoro; a fettucine dish made with a Neapolitan beef ragu; bucatini cacio e pepe with a base caciocavallo cheese from Southern Italy and cracked black pepper; linguine and clams; and lasagna al forno of ricotta, pomodoro, and Italian sausage made in house.
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One room of the restaurant features a hearth oven, where bakes Neapolitan-style pies in a traditional margherita and more.
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Main courses include a pollo parmigiana with organic chicken, pomodoro, hand-pulled mozzarella, and basil, and Corvina Acqua Pazza with branzino in a broth of tomato, garlic, chili peppers, basil, and lemon.
Over on the desserts side of the menu, a lemon ricotta cheesecake, Neapolitan cookie gelato, and tiramisu.
The restaurant plans to be open from 5 to 10:30 p.m. daily.
• The Mirage Lands a New Italian Restaurant, Opening in 2018 [ELV]
