We stopped here while visiting Fremont Street.  As an aside, the Golden Nugget has been nicely kept up through the years and holds its own with resorts on the Strip.  Anyway, we expected Grotto to be an expensive version of Olive Garden, but we were pleasantly surprised.  \n\nFirst of all, our waitress was wonderful.  She helped us choose entrees, and suggested that we split a salad.  Hubby had a sea bass encrusted with a pasta-type coating.  He thought it was terrific.  I had a veal marsala, which was very good.  Our side dishes were also very well done.  \n\nThe desserts were the best!  When you're done eating, they wheel out a dessert cart.  Naturally, everything makes your mouth water.  We shared a cake layered with cream and strawberries.  Light and decadent!  \n\nThe atmosphere was okay -- we got to look out into the pool and fish tank area.  My only complaint would be the noise.  Like most restaurants in Vegas, the restaurant is open to a corridor with people constantly walking through. \n\nIf you're downtown and want to eat at a nice Italian restaurant, I would highly recommend Grotto.