Dining Pick of the Week: Maru’s Pizza & Italian Bistro

Maru’s Pizza & Italian Bistro

8125 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 170, 702-979-9222

Maru’s Pizza & Italian Bistro offers Italian fare with an extensive menu and attention to detail. The long noodle pastas, for example, are made on site, as are the sauces and dressings. Appetizers include crispy zucchini fritti, mozzarella Caprese, garlic knots and eggplant Parmesan. In a nod to American preferences, it also offers chicken fingers and wings with french fries. The pizzas feature a light-in-the-stomach crust and include the standard pepperoni as well as quattro formaggi (four cheese), Margherita with slices of tomato and chicken Alfredo. Pizza is also sold by the slice. Empanadas come in five styles — beef with onions, red bell peppers, olives and egg; chicken with red and green bell pepper, garlic and onion; spinach with ricotta cheese, egg, garlic, olive oil and spices; ham and cheese with Provolone cheese, ham and oregano; and onion and cheese with Provolone, onion and oregano. There also are five types of salads, and the Maru’s signature one has mixed greens with raisins, caramelized walnuts, Asiago cheese and hearts of palm dressing. Sandwiches run about $7.99 and include choices of roasted eggplant; grilled chicken; Philly cheesesteak; sausage with green peppers and onions; smoked turkey; Caprese; pastrami; prosciutto; Italian; and meatball. Specialty dishes feature various types of pastas — angel hair, linguine, ziti, fettuccine and corkscrew — in different combinations. Gnocchi in salsa rosa uses its signature pink sauce. The contemporary dining area seats about 40 at stone-top tables. Be sure to check the chalkboard for specials. Vegan items are available. Maru’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.