“We’re doing Italian a little differently, focusing on aperitivo culture and well-prepared, wood-grilled flavors, while keeping pastas and pizzas close to our hearts.” So says chef Shawn McClain of the mission at highly anticipated Balla Italian Soul, which debuts Sept. 30 at Sahara Las Vegas.

The James Beard Award winner is opening the restaurant with his business partners, Richard and Sarah Camarota. The menu “embraces the lighter, brighter and more seasonally driven aspects of Italian cuisine,” the restaurant said in a statement. What does that mean on the plate?