Heavenly Pies brings an angelic touch to neighborhood Italian food
By Elaine Harris
The Deets
IT’S: A Pizzeria and Trattoria
WHAT: Heavenly Pies
WHO’S BEHIND IT: Chef Luciano Pellegrini and Chef David Ryan Brister
FUN FACT: Pellegrini is a James Beard award winner and Chef David Ryan Brister is his cousin.
LOCATION: 11370 Southern Highlands Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89141
HOURS: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
THE COST: Starters and salads $9 to $14; small plates $16; entrées $20 to $26; signature pizzas $12 to $29; and build-your-own pizza $10 to $18
A Heavenly Partnership
When it comes to great food, James Beard award-winning chef and creator of Heavenly Pies, Luciano Pellegrini, appears to possess divine inspiration and godlike culinary skills while preparing innovative Italian food for over three decades. Pellegrini’s relentless drive for culinary mastery emerged while working alongside the best Italian chefs, then developed through acclaimed kitchens in Los Angeles and now comes full circle in his home of Las Vegas, Nevada.
His most recent project is in partnership with fellow chef and cousin David Ryan Brister. Heavenly Pies is their quaint Italian restaurant in Southern Highlands.
Why We Love Heavenly Pies
Heavenly Pies’ concept relies on Roman-style pizzas, a trattoria-style menu, and family-meal packages offering various pasta, salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts.
Find Daily Specials on their website here.
Pellegrini’s mother’s recipe, Mama’s Meatballs, is a blend of beef, veal, and pork cooked in tomato sauce, served over house-made polenta.
Pellegrini and Brister’s combined expertise created their take on a classic American dish, the Philly cheesesteak. These egg rolls are an appetizer that pays homage to authentic comfort food.
The Fusilli Alla Norma is a rich al dente Fusilli sauteed with eggplant, creamy ricotta and zesty tomato sauce.
The Chicken Piccata, accented by tangy lemon and tart capers, is a praise-worthy dish.
Heavenly signature pizzas are the driving force of the menu, with the option to create your own or indulge in a recommended specialty.
The Emiliana sets the stage for meat lovers with tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, ham, cotechino, generous slices of fresh prosciutto on a bed of arugula and vincotto.
A Modern Twist on the Creamy Cannoli
“Don’t forget the cannoli,” but in this case, don’t forget the gelato. Pellegrini has perfected the creamy cold confection over the years and it can found distributed throughout the valley.
In the beginning, several people came to Heavenly Pies thinking it was a bakery. Pelligrini and Brister now offer individual pies for those with a sweet tooth along with other dolce items to put a lovely finish to a heavenly dining experience.
