Fashion Island to open exclusive Italian restaurant

Canaletto Ristorante Veneto, a high-end Italian restaurant in Las Vegas, has announced plans to open its second location in Fashion Island next fall.

The restaurant, led by executive chef Maurizio Mazzon, features an extensive menu of Venetian-style foods and wines. The first Canaletto, which belongs to the Il Fornaio restaurant and bakery group, resides at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas and is renowned for its bread, risotto and seafood.

“The combination of Maurizio Mazzon’s personal attention and Il Fornaio’s strong organization will produce a well-run restaurant with personality and attention to detail,” Keith Eyrich, the Irvine Co.’s president of retail properties, stated in a release. “We’re proud of our track record as a launching pad for successful new restaurants, including Fleming’s, Blue Coral, Cafe R&D; and others.”

Canaletto is expected to open in the space formerly occupied by the Tutto Mare restaurant.

— Michael Miller