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A Culinary Journey
If you don’t know already, there is something really cool happening in Las Vegas. While the Strip remains iconic, the southern suburbs are emerging as amazing food destinations. The southwest is really stepping up its dining game.
UnCommons and Durango Station are some of the standout spots. Whether you’re into fancy dining or something more casual, there’s a lot to explore. They’re both designed to be upscale and community-focused, which is unique.
In neighborhoods like Southern Highlands and those off Blue Diamond, there are fantastic novel places popping up, like Pine Bistro and Sgrizzi. These places are all about offering delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere for locals, making dining more accessible and enjoyable.
If you have yet to visit some of these locales, I encourage you to do a quick Yelp search for some of these new hot spots and support our local businesses.
Bon Appétit!
October 2024
PUBLISHER
Chad Jeffry | Chad.Jeffry@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Paige Candee | paige.candee@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Heather Turk, Eve Bushman, Katie Boer, Jennifer Florendo, Andres Molina
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Adam Trujillo, Justin Santiago, Joe Janet, David Borzkowski, Clint Jenkins, Cole Curtis, Jose Salinas, Jeff Marini
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
inside the issue
How
Unlocking
Crafted by Tucker St. John at Esther’s Kitchen, this
Menu” Hallowed Ground cocktail blends garlic-infused gin, green chartreuse, lemon, and Cocchi Americano. Topped with fresh Parmesan, black pepper, and basil oil, it’s a unique flavor experience.
Photography: Adam Trujillo
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: The NV Energy Foundation hosted two back-to-school meal bagging events to support Serving Our Kids Foundation. 2: Serving Our Kids provides free and healthy meal packs to food-insecure children in grades K-8. 3: The goal is to bridge the weekend “gap” when food may not be available for the child at home, due to economic circumstances. 4: The NV Energy Foundation supported the program with a $50,000 donation. 5: Many NV Energy employees volunteered to make it possible. 6: The two events provided 10,000 meal bags for food-insecure children. 7: The non-profit organization is fighting to end child hunger across Southern Nevada.
Halcyon Health to Open in Bend Las Vegas This Month
Halcyon Health, a Tulum-inspired healthcare and wellness center, is poised to open its doors in October at the new Bend Las Vegas. The center will offer a range of services, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), sauna sessions, cold plunge experiences, and IV therapies. With a focus on holistic health and innovative treatments, Halcyon Health aims to provide a rejuvenating escape for the community and promote overall well-being. halcyonoptimized.com
Photography by Halcyon Health
Bridget Richards, SIOR CCIM Principal, BRAND Real Estate
Mountains Edge location has become a fitness hub for the local community since opening its doors one year ago. Offering semi-private personal training sessions, nutritional support, health and wellness workshops, and more, Alloy has helped numerous residents work towards achieving their health and fitness goals. As they commemorated this milestone, the studio reflected on a year of client transformations and looks forward to continuing its mission of promoting wellness in South Las Vegas. alloypersonaltraining.com/location enterprise-nv
Scan to read more
Mother-Daughter Duo Author Children’s Book "Happy Halloween Birthday"
Las Vegas local Adrienne Drost and her daughter Samantha Bresnehan co-authored “Happy Halloween Birthday,” the second installment in their series celebrating the joys of having a holiday birthday. This charming book captures the magic of October 31st with beautiful illustrations and heartwarming text. It explores Halloweenthemed festivities leading up to a rare Halloween birthday, showing that combining a holiday and a birthday can be twice as fun. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and other booksellers.
Photography by Lisa Powell Braun
Want to be featured?
Step into style at Apricot Lane Boutique, where fashion-forward meets effortlessly chic for women who know how to own their look. Whether you’re updating your wardrobe or finding that statement piece, we’ve got the latest trends that fit your vibe.
Photography by Alloy Personal Training Studio
Ground to Highball HALLOWED GLASS
How a passion for the past led to crafting the future of cocktails
ARTICLE BY EVE BUSHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM TRUJILLO
How does someone become a top craft cocktail mixologist? Asking this question, and a few more below, we learn that Tucker St. John, the director of beverage at the popular Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District, has a penchant for learning and teaching that began fewer than 10 years ago when he was obtaining his degree in history from Nevada State University.
“It was really by accident,” Tucker began. “My mother was a bartender. And I was dating a bartender who was making more money in her one job than I did in the three I held while attending school full time. While I was still in school, I looked into it. I simply walked into a bar looking to be a barback –that’s the person that is always in the background in most bars assisting in everything. When they asked me if I liked craft cocktails, I didn’t know what that meant back then.”
From there, Tucker got a job at his girlfriend’s bar, did what he called “independent study” and learned all about craft cocktails. His historical background led him to enjoy the research while learning from the bartenders around him. “But you got to do the work, develop the palate,” Tucker added. “I started at Esther’s Kitchen four years ago, and I’m still learning from my fellow bartenders.” Another question Tucker could easily answer was why he loves bartending. “Everyone is money motivated,” he began with complete honesty. “But the reason I love the hospitality industry, is that I get to serve people and learn about them and connect with them. Especially with people locked to their phones these days – I’m right there in front of them. I’m also proud of what I can build with a bar. I love learning from other bartenders, as well as educating them on possibilities. I get to ‘scratch that itch’ of education I loved in college and have fun at the same time. It’s especially rewarding to educate other bartenders and move barbacks up to bartending.”
As far as the cocktail program at Esther’s Kitchen Tucker explained, “Our cocktail palate is more acidic and drier – so we craft unique ‘Esther’s Cocktails’ to go with the Italian food we serve. I like my customers to give something different a shot, and we will dump it if you don’t like it and find something new for you. I don’t have an ego in making cocktails.”
Recently Esther’s Kitchen moved from a 4,000 to a 10,000-square-foot-sized location, right across the alley from their original location. Even more recently they opened TreeHaus, a classic cocktail bar located above the restaurant. The space is dark and moody with a record player and Chesterfield leather couches. Think quintessential speakeasy vibes, but with full windows. “It feels like someone’s house party,” Tucker recalls one guest saying.
When you go to Esther's Kitchen, ask for this uniquely crafted "off menu" drink: Hallowed Ground. Tucker says this
is one of the most interesting cocktails he’s crafted to date, and it always seems to be a success, no matter what the season is. Some people have even dipped their bread in it:
“OFF MENU” HALLOWED GROUND
Garlic-infused, green chartreuse cocktail with gin, lemon, Cocchi Americano, and garnished with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and basil oil.
Tucker will be showing his bartenders how to craft the Hallowed Ground. In the meantime, each bartender has their own cocktail assignments, as he challenges them to make a certain flavor profile with a specific kind of spirit. Then, as Tucker says, “They have ownership of it.”
I, for one, look forward to being on Tucker’s Hallowed Ground when I visit Esther’s Kitchen to order my Hallowed Ground.
JUSTICE Prevails
RECENT AWARDS RECOVERED FOR INJURY CLIENTS
• $38.8 Million Dollar Jury Verdict
• $7.2 Million Dollar Award
• $2.1 Million Dollar Award
• $2.0 Million Dollar Settlement
• $2.0 Million Dollar Judgement
• $1.9 Million Dollar Settlement
PREVENTATIVE NUTRITION for Optimal HEALTH
ARTICLE BY KATIE BOER
Traditional medicine isn’t going anywhere, but as healthcare costs rise and the pharmaceutical landscape evolves, many people are leaning into preventative nutrition for optimal physical health and improved cognitive function.
It’s no secret that the food we consume has a profound impact on our health. Just as the USDA replaced the “food pyramid” with “MyPlate” as the official symbol for dietary guidelines, nutritional standards have evolved significantly. The USDA estimates that over half of adults have one or more diet-related chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, or certain cancers.
Research increasingly suggests that diet plays a significant role in the development of chronic diseases—perhaps more so than environmental factors, lifestyle, or genetics. According to Registered Dietitian Haley Bishoff, nutrition is just as crucial as clinical treatment for preventative wellness.
Haley, who owns Rūtsu Nutrition in Las Vegas, advises clients that even small dietary changes, like adopting a more plant-based diet, can significantly improve longterm health. Drawing a parallel between the human body and a luxury car, she states, “If you put bad quality fuel in it, it’s gonna cause some issues.” In other words, if you’re consuming junk, don’t be surprised if your body feels like it’s running on empty. A plant-based diet is her version of premium gasoline.
Photo credit Justin Santiago
PLANT-BASED SPECTRUM
“Eating more plant-based foods in their whole or minimally processed form is one of the best things you can do for your health, including disease prevention, management, and even reversal,” Haley explains, emphasizing most people should aim to get their nutrition from plant sources like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Let’s clarify. This approach varies for everyone. There’s a broad spectrum of plant-based diets, from vegan and vegetarian to pescatarian. Even meat-eaters incorporating more plants into their diet can join the club.
THE GREAT BALANCING ACT
Whole foods are great, but eliminating all processed foods seems slightly overambitious. Haley agrees, noting, “It’s nearly impossible to avoid processed foods 100 percent.”
Moderation, pull up a chair.
“Eat 80 to 90 percent of the time with whole foods and give yourself some freedom for the remaining 10 to 20 percent to enjoy other types of foods,” she advises, making it easier to integrate a healthier diet into daily life.
Cognitive function and preventative nutrition rely on essential nutrients. Healthy fats, lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and plant derivatives like chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds are crucial. Antioxidants, found in foods like berries and dark leafy greens, play a vital role in brain health by reducing inflammation. While plant-based foods are an excellent source of fiber, they might not provide all the necessary nutrients. Haley often recommends supplementing Omega-3, B-12, and Vitamin D. Many people tend to associate protein with meat, but there are alternatives. Vegetables, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and soy products are also plant-based sources of protein.
THE WAR ON DIETS
In a world driven by instant gratification, restrictive diets often fall short of delivering long-term benefits. “Diets don’t work—nearly 100 percent of diets fail,” Haley points out. Instead, she advocates for ‘eating the rainbow.’
HOLISTIC APPROACH
While traditional medicine is important, the impact of nutrition on brain and body health is undeniable. Haley believes a plant-based diet is key to unlocking wellness, cognitive function, and disease prevention. Perhaps embracing this holistic approach could be the most essential ingredient for achieving optimal health.
ARTICLE BY HEATHER TURK
An Off-Strip Mecca for Foodies
Durango Casino & Resort’s restaurant portfolio is sure to satisfy any craving
Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant’s Churro French Toast
Since opening its doors last December, Durango Casino & Resort has quickly become one of southwest Las Vegas’ premier dining destinations.
Home to Strip-worthy restaurants and eateries, the Station Casinos property has something for every taste. Guests can dine at one of four signature restaurants, grab a quick bite to eat in the eclectic food hall or share sumptuous small plates with their friends at the sophisticated Bel-Aire Lounge.
“We spent a good year identifying the needs of the resort and the area and hit the ground running identifying our future partners,” said David Horn, vice president and general manager at Durango Casino & Resort. “We’ve always known that this area had such a great opportunity for new dining options, and when we introduced the dining collection and food hall, I think we really blew people away with the variety and originality that went into each concept.”
Like many Las Vegas resorts, Durango Casino & Resort has a high-end steakhouse, a modern Mexican restaurant, and a lively sports bar. What sets each restaurant apart from the competition, though, is the attention to detail. At Nicco’s, Durango’s signature steak and seafood restaurant, not only is its meats sourced from the best ranchers around the world, but all its fish is flown in fresh daily. Guests can savor everything from USDA Prime cuts of beef to American, Australian and Japanese Wagyu selections for dinner, making Nicco’s that rare off-Strip steakhouse that’s sure to impress even the most discerning diner.
Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant is another dining standout, complete with its own 1,000-square-foot hidden speakeasy — Wax Rabbit — that features a DJ playing vinyl records. Open nightly for dinner, as well as Saturday and Sunday for brunch, the chic restaurant highlights the CONTINUED >
Enjoy comfort food at comforting prices at Irv’s Burgers
The Hamachi Tostadas at Bel-Aire Lounge are a guest favorite
The Butter Poached Lobster Tacos at Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant
“We’ve always known that this area had such a great opportunity for new dining options.”
— Durango
Casino & Resort's VP and GM, David Horn
bold flavors of coastal Mexico presented through an unconventional lens. Must-try menu selections include the Butter Poached Lobster Tacos made with Maine lobster, chipotle aioli, cabbage, onion, avocado and tomatillo salsa, and the brunch favorite Churro French Toast: brioche bread soaked in tres leches custard, topped with fresh strawberries, guava syrup, and horchata icing.
For sports fans, Durango’s 24-hour sports bar located adjacent to the sportsbook — The George Sportsmen’s Lounge — really “changed the game for the city” according to David. Boasting an ambiance that David noted makes guests feel like they’re “enjoying box seats at a really nice stadium,” The Geroge knows how to make sports fans feel like a winner regardless of
if their team wins or loses. Diners can enjoy elevated game-day fare like the tasty Buffalo Chicken Dip or the Chili-Rubbed Pork Chop while watching the action on 4,375 square feet of TV screens, including a 70-foot outdoor LED wall that can be divided to show at least 12 different games.
While Durango Casino & Resort has several original dining concepts, it’s also home to Las Vegas’ first Summer House. The popular restaurant is famous for its California-inspired cuisine, like its generously portioned Huevos Rancheros served exclusively during Saturday and Sunday brunch and its Herbed Chicken Breast Paillard available for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Boasting a beautiful 100-seat patio that’s perfect for baby showers and birthday parties and a pastry and coffee
“(Summer House's) laid-back, West Coastinspired menu and family-friendly vibes have really connected with residents in the area." — Lettuce
Entertain You managing partner, Ryan Richardson
counter — The Market — where guests can purchase some oversized cookies to take home, the Durango Summer House marked the restaurant’s third location nationwide and is the first off-Strip restaurant for its restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You (Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Mon Ami Gabi).
"Lettuce Entertain You's restaurants on the Strip have thrived for nearly 25 years, so when the opportunity to test the suburban Vegas market for the first time presented itself, we jumped at the chance — especially
with a stellar partner like Station Casinos,” said Ryan Richardson, managing partner for Lettuce Entertain You. “We knew that the Summer House brand would be a natural fit, as its laid-back, West Coast-inspired menu and family-friendly vibes have really connected with residents in the area. We've loved seeing locals become regulars who come in for dinner, weekend brunch, or just a quick stop to grab cookies in The Market."
Several other new-to-market dining concepts can be found at Durango’s food hall, Eat Your Heart Out. The 25,000-square-foot communal dining experience is not only home to local favorites like Shang Artisan Noodle and the downtown Las Vegas Arts District’s Yu-Or-Mi Sushi, but also out-of-town favorites like Philadelphia’s Fiorella pasta bar, New York City’s Prince Street Pizza, Costa Mesa’s Hawaiian Ai Pono Café, Los Angeles’ Irv’s Burgers, and Uncle Paulie’s Deli.
With so many mouthwatering options under one roof, not to mention free and convenient parking, Durango Casino & Resort has given Las Vegas foodies — as David put it — “many reasons to visit over and over again.” durangoresort.com
Summer House is known for its laid-back, beach house vibe
Nicco’s main dining room and veranda Durango Casino & Resort’s Eat Your Heart Out food hall
Inside Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant’s stylish dining room
OCTOBER 4TH-6TH
The Greatest Show On Earth
Thomas & Mack Center | 7:00 PM
The Greatest Show On Earth is coming to Las Vegas with six performances at Thomas & Mack Center from October 4th to the 6th. Packed with explosive excitement, The Greatest Show On Earth guides audiences through an interactive and music-filled journey filled with new, modern twists to classic circus acts. For specific local Las Vegas show information visit ringling.com/show/las-vegas-nv-2024-thomas-mack-center
OCTOBER 12TH
3rd Annual Las Vegas Down Syndrome Conference
UNLV's Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine | 8:00 AM
The 3rd Annual Las Vegas Down Syndrome Conference will be held Saturday, October 12th at UNLV's Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine. The conference raises awareness and empowers the Down syndrome community, this full-day event promises a day of cutting-edge research presentations, expert insights, and meaningful connections. For more information and to register, visit downsyndromeconnections.org/conference
OCTOBER 18TH
Children’s Grief & Trauma National Conference
Richard Tam Alumni Center | 7:30 AM
Adam's Place presents the 2nd Annual Children’s Grief & Trauma National Conference 2024 on October 18th from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Richard Tam Alumni Center, 4505 South Maryland Parkway. In partnership with the Academy of Forensic Nursing, the live and virtual event will include national speakers addressing the theme, 'When Trauma and Grief Collide: Education and Training to Build Resilience.' www.adamsplacelv.org
OCTOBER 18TH
One-Man Cabaret of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Space | 8:00 PM
Renowned Broadway star, Reeve Carney, is bringing his extraordinary talent to Las Vegas for an exclusive One-Man Cabaret of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Space on Friday, October 18. This one-man cabaret will feature show-stopping musical performances of the soundtrack with some special surprises. Tickets are available online at thespaceLV.com
OCTOBER 19TH
2024 Downtown Brew Festival
Clark County Amphitheater | 5:00 PM
The iconic Downtown Brew Festival produced by Motley Brews returns to the Clark County Amphitheater for the 12th time. Join thousands of craft beer and music fans at one of the most celebrated local festivals of the year. Featuring more than 65 breweries, 300 craft beers, culinary artists, and live music acts. For more information, visit downtownbrewfestival.com
OCTOBER 25TH
Disney Pixar’s Coco Live to Film Concert
UNLV Performing Arts Center | 8:00 PM
On Nevada Day, Friday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m., the UNLV PAC will present Disney Pixar’s Coco Live to Film Concert. Enjoy a one-of-akind family experience with the Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed on modern, pre-Hispanic, and colonial era instruments along with the film played live on a big screen. Purchase season tickets online at pac.unlv.edu
