Brio Italian Grille

Brio sits inside Harrah's Cherokee Casino, which sounds weird for Italian food but somehow works. We've eaten here probably six times over the years, and it's become our go-to when we want something nicer than the usual Cherokee options without driving to Asheville. The wood-burning oven for flatbreads is legit — you can smell it from the casino floor.

The Pasta Brio is what keeps us coming back. Rigatoni with grilled chicken, mushrooms, and this roasted red pepper cream sauce that's rich without being heavy. It's $21 now, which stings a bit compared to what it used to cost, but the portions are huge. We usually split one and add an appetizer. Skip the salads though — we've had wilted lettuce issues twice, and when we mentioned it, the server got defensive.

One thing about dining in a casino — the energy is completely different from a regular restaurant. You've got slot machine sounds in the background and people walking through in everything from evening wear to flip-flops. It's oddly entertaining. Valet parking is free, which is nice since the casino lot can be a hike.

Make reservations on OpenTable or you'll wait forever on weekends. The bar area fills up during happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3-6pm), and that's actually when we prefer to go. Smaller plates, better prices, and you can still order from the full menu.

Fair warning on the steaks — they've gotten pricey. The ribeye is $54 now, and while it's good, you're paying casino prices. Stick to the pasta or flatbreads for better value. The Margherita flatbread is simple but perfect when you want something lighter.