Finally had the chance to make it in here Saturday night with a reservation at 7:30pm, prime time for the dinner crowds at heart. In a pocket corner close to Casino Center Blvd, the space was cozy with inspirational quotes, warm woods complete with a neon sign reading Esther's Kitchen, and served as a hot bed for locals including a surprise sighting of Steve Sisolak at the bar.
I called ahead to confirm a corkage fee to bring along our favorite bottle of Chianti to accompany our meal experience that awaited us shortly thereafter. Patrick waited on us and was well versed in giving us the history of the restaurant and helped us navigate through the top seasonal choices of the menu. As a four-top we committed to sharing everything - zucca flowers, meat board, cacio de pepe, carbonara, polenta with mushrooms, and the porchetta. Chef touched our table twice to ensure everything that came out was to our liking and as a courtesy sent out the most perfect gnudis in a spring pesto sauce and red and yellow beets. It was such an impressive surprise in flavors we could've ordered two more plates of it. Save room for the budino, it does not disappoint!
This restaurant deserves to be on your must-do list and could very well snag every Best of 2018 award. Please support local business and Chef James Trees and team who's M.O. proudly is listed behind the bar that reads "strive to get better everyday." Well done E.K. Team!