Pappalecco, the Italian-inspired café whose name mashes up pappa (Italian slang for children’s food) and lecco (lick, licking) recently opened its first Las Vegas location on South Maryland Parkway near UNLV. Pappalecco, founded in San Diego in 2007 by brothers Francesco and Lorenzo Bucci, also draws on the 20-year legacy of the original Pappalecco in Italy.
On the menu
There’s a lot to lecco at Pappalecco, what with gelato by the scoop in a host of flavors like lemon, strawberry, chocolate, Nutella and signature Pappalecco (amaretto, chocolate, cookies). Gelato also stars in affogato (gelato drowned in espresso), a gelato milkshake (add on: a jolt of espresso), and gelato-stuffed croissants.
Elsewhere, croissants run to more than dozen sweet and savory iterations, including pistachio cream, strawberry jam, chicken, salmon and prosciutto. The menu also features build-your-own salads, toasts, an açai bowl, and several panini, including a Caprese, a Tuscan (imported prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil), and a Pappalecco (ham, fresh mozzarella, mixed greens, tomato, Thousand Island dressing, olive oil).
On the beverage side, look for hot and iced espressos, macchiatos, cappuccinos, lattes and Americanos; regular and cold-brewed coffees; and organic teas.
Grand opening event
The design of the new Pappalecco brings together warm wood finishes, greenery, Italian lighting and imported tile for what the brand describes as a “modern made in Italy feel.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the debut begins at 11 a.m. April 9, with 50 percent off all beverages (excluding wine) and food items. Pappalecco is at 4700 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 115. Hours are 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at jwright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.
Dining and Cooking