Gina Marinelli, the mastermind behind Downtown Summerlin’s newest dining gem, Harlo Steakhouse & Bar, dishes on her latest off Strip restaurant.
Q: What would you tell a Summerlin foodie who hasn’t been to the restaurant yet?
I would tell them that Harlo Steakhouse & Bar is nothing like what they’ve seen in Summerlin. It’s truly a dining experience that delights all the senses! We have such a talented team that is providing the best service, food, cocktails and wine all in one place. What we envisioned for Harlo is coming to life and we couldn’t be prouder.
Q: Aside from signature steaks, what are other savory favorites?
It’s been really fun for me to explore a decadent beef program at Harlo, but of course, I highly suggest ordering a few baked pastas for the table alongside your steak selections. Baked rigatoni with a spicy puttanesca sauce has a nice little kick to it and we also offer a vegetarian truffle-ricotta raviolini that is a menu highlight.
Another must-try are our Shellfish Towers. We have both chilled and fire-roasted shellfish— Alaskan king crab, shrimp cocktail, clams, Maine lobster, oysters— with smoked chili butter, charred lemon and toasted bread. The aroma that fills the air as this is brought to the table is going to make everyone in the room want to order it!
Q: Let’s talk caviar. We understand that’s a must-order at Harlo.
It is! We have a couple different ways that you can experience caviar at Harlo. One is an over-the-top presentation on a caviar cart with accompaniments like scallion pancakes, gnocco fritto and latkes. Then, there’s a more playful approach where you can order items like a caviar taco, caviar egg or caviar macaron from our Collations Au Caviar. When I started offering caviar at La Strega, I was really happy about the response and it’s been fun to bring it to Harlo in a totally different way, unlike anything else in Las Vegas.
Q: Why Downtown Summerlin for your newest location?
We were very intentional in bringing Harlo to Downtown Summerlin. We saw a huge underserved market for off-the-Strip restaurants and recognized a prime opportunity in a community that craved an elevated dining experience in the comfort of their own neighborhood. We’ve found that guests find it hard to come to Harlo just once and the room has taken shape as the clubhouse of Summerlin where esteemed figures of the community gather. A classic, upscale, but fun and friendly place with incredibly sensory-driven energy throughout the room and incredible food and drink.
Q: The décor and colors of the space are so rich and beautiful! Where did you pull your inspiration from?
The inspiration was to embrace the history of the Old Las Vegas and Summerlin and create an atmosphere that merged the two. We stayed neutral with the palette and focused on luxury finishes, details and fixtures. The chandeliers above the bar give the room an instant glamour, while the cognac booths and wood tones reflect a traditional steakhouse, but with a contemporary feel. Another design feature we were mindful of was creating an open room plan, so that every table is the best table, allowing interactions with the entire space and the people in it.
Q: Must-sip cocktail?
My favorite cocktail is The Hills Park which is Harlo’s take on a Manhattan, with umeboshi plum, cherry and smoke.
Q: What’s next for you? Anything new and exciting for 2022 that’s in the works?
My mindset for the year 2022 is to focus on building the Harlo brand and continuing the creativeness over at La Strega. My team and I always have something up our sleeves so expect some fun events and inspiring menu changes. Another thing that always inspires me is travel, so I’m hoping to visit Italy again this year.
Q: Favorite place to visit at DTS when not working?
My favorite places to visit in Downtown Summerlin are Champs and House of Hoops because my wife and I are big sneaker heads. After some shopping, you can find us sitting at True Food Kitchen for a glass of wine or a cocktail.
