Esther's Kitchen — Restaurant in Las Vegas

Literally the only thing upsetting about writing this review is that it's limited to 5 stars. I should be better at contributing, but this is definitely a dining experience that warrants a few things to be said.

It IS in Las Vegas. It is NOT on The Strip or On Fremont. This is half a block off of Main Street in the Arts District (On California.) Look for the Fr**ds Bakery sign, then cross the street.

Make a reservation. Then you don't have to stand awkwardly by the chair while people walk by you, or stand outside. Just a tip. Make a reservation. Trust me.

When ordering, be adventurous. The menu isn't massive, unless you are looking at the drinks. There are a ton of beverage options. Ask the server for tips. This restaurant is super well versed on what happens in the walls. The chefs are all involved. Watch them throughout service- just a bunch of assassins back there.

These pictures are a lackluster representation of the food itself.

The Heirloom and Strawberry Salad with Honey Ricotta literally hits every textural and taste checkpoint. Share the croutons. You won't want to. It's the ideal way to start a meal. Not overpowering, but it makes you want more of it.

Roasted Bone Marrow. I was dining with someone that was CERTAIN that bone marrow was NOT for her. But that Tarragon Brulee? Imagine spreading the most wonderful notes of a perfectly charred steak on a toasted piece of PERFECT sourdough. Then add fresh pear jam? Then add Greens and pickled radish? Get out of here! By the way, I found her dipping the crust of bread in the marrow left on the plate.

Pistachio and Ricotta Tortellini. I have to pause for this one. Don't miss this. You have to order it. It challenged me. Not a fan of peas. This is a PEA DISH, and thank goodness for it. Fresh spring pea pesto, pea creme fraiche, and the world's most delicate ricotta and pasta dish. To say the pasta is light is like saying the sun is pretty warm. One of the most perfect bites of food I've ever had- exists on this plate. And this is a vegetarian dish. (NOT VEGAN.) You will crave this dish.

Risotto Caponata. Do you know what caponata is? You should. It's wonderful, and light, and hearty and fresh, and smoky all at the same time. It's a vegan dish that taste like fall in a vessel. It's warm going down. It's full of umami richness. Completely unexpected.

A new variation of the Porchetta, those pickled cherries are phenomenal and I wish that I had asked for more. That crispy pork will stay in your mind.

That spectacular piece of Halibut is the best piece of cooked white fish I've had anywhere, and you all know how proud Boston is of their oceanic bounties. Sitting on a nest of fresh asparagus, fava beans and what the chef calls a Vermouth Cream Sauce, is a bisque of epic proportions. I would eat that cream sauce like a bowl of soup. You know what? Send out some of that crusty sourdough.

The Pavlova is everything that New Zealand and Australia have dreamed their special merengue dish could be. Candied lemon, lemon curd, fresh blackberries, fresh mint. Don't mess around with this one. Don't be courteous. Dive into the middle. Like taking the innermost part of a cinnamon roll. You've been a good person for long enough. Do it. The middle. You'll see.

Sorry the review was so long. No I'm not. Go. Now. Book a table....

An Unforgettable Meal: A Review of The Local Sometimes the best discoveries are made when you let your friends take the lead. That's exactly what happened when I was in town and my friends brought me to The Local. This cozy spot, tucked away in a vibrant neighborhood, quickly proved to be a culinary gem. It's the kind of place that feels both familiar and fresh, a testament to its commitment to quality ingredients and a rotating menu that keeps things exciting.

Atmosphere and Setting The atmosphere at The Local is a perfect blend of lively and laid-back. It's the kind of place where you can comfortably settle in for a long dinner with friends, even with a couple of little ones in tow. The staff was incredibly cool and accommodating, which made our group outing a breeze. The decor is simple and rustic, with warm lighting and a buzz of conversation that creates a welcoming, convivial energy.

The Culinary Journey The food here is, without a doubt, the star of the show. We started our meal with the house-made loaf and a trio of different dips. While the sourdough itself didn't quite hit the mark for me, the dips were fantastic, setting the stage for what was to come.

As the restaurant prides itself on a rotating menu, I can't guarantee you'll find the exact same dishes, but I can speak to the quality and creativity. The pizza was a definite standout, with a perfectly charred crust and fresh, high-quality toppings. We also loved the big eye tuna and the brussel sprouts, both of which were perfectly prepared and seasoned.

The pasta dishes were also a huge hit. On one visit, the rigatoni was a highlight, cooked to al dente perfection with a rich, savory sauce. The kitchen's focus on simple, solid ingredients really shines through in these dishes.

However, a couple of items missed the mark. The pork was surprisingly flavorless, its only notable characteristic being a faint smokiness. The meatballs, while promising, had an unpleasantly raw meat taste and smell that detracted from an otherwise great pasta dish. While these were minor disappointments in an otherwise stellar meal, they are worth noting.

For drinks, we tried a few options, and they were all solid, complementing the meal without overpowering it.

Service and Value The service at The Local was truly amazing. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely friendly, making us feel right at home. They were great about checking in and ensuring our experience was nothing short of excellent.

When it comes to value, The Local delivers. The portions are generous and the ingredients are clearly top-notch, justifying the price point.

Verdict Despite a few minor stumbles, The Local is a place I would absolutely recommend. The fantastic, ever-changing menu, the welcoming atmosphere, and the exceptional service make it a must-visit. It's the perfect spot for a group of friends looking for a lively and memorable dining experience with great food and a relaxed vibe. Just be sure to ask about the daily specials and prepare to be delighted by whatever the kitchen...

TLDR: Another very good meal at Esther’s Kitchen. Get the bread service for sure, then order everything else that looks good. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

The Story: We came earlier than our reservation to see if we could get an earlier seat at the bar. There was nothing available, so we went on the waitlist and had a drink nearby while we waited. They estimated 45 minutes, and they were pretty close.

When our time came, we were sat at the bar and had a great meal with a terrific bartender who made our evening very enjoyable.

We started with BREAD SERVICE, as everyone should. For sides, we ordered the anchovy butter, nduja, and cannellini bean puree. Oddly enough the plain butter remains the favorite classic, but the bean puree gets an honorable mention. I found the anchovy butter to be overly fishy, but my wife liked it.

Next was the grilled PEACH and Stracciatella salad. The peaches were flavorful but the overall salad had a more delicate flavor than I would have preferred. Maybe I’m just not a stracciatella officionado.

For our mains, we had TAGLIATELLE with guanciale + calabrian chile + pecorino and a ricotta AGNOLOTTI in a truffle cream sauce.

The pasta in both dishes were well made and had great tooth.

The TAGLIATELLE was overall good to very good. It had good flavors, but the guanciale was cut too small and ate more like a ground beef than the crispy, salty bombs we prefer. For our taste, it ate a little dry and would have benefitted from some pasta water in the bottom of the bowl.

The AGNOLOTTI was sublime. The sauce was a lovely brown butter, truffle sauce that had just enough truffle flavor to bring richness without overpowering the dish. Left by itself, the sauce could become one note over several bites, but each tender pouch of pasta you bite into releases a creamy, slightly herbaceous filling that brings freshness and balance.

The cocktails and service from our bartender, a young, Asian gentleman, were great. He was engaging and friendly with great advice about wine pairings and good suggestions.

The Good: the bread service is one of my happy places. Their food is always very good, but today the agnolotti stood out most of all. Our bartender was awesome and made our meal comfortable and pleasant. I like their wine list with many different price points and good varietals to try.

The Bad: nothing during our evening was bad.

The Mediocre: It’s hard to call the tagliatelle mediocre, but it ate dry. Some pasta water in the bottom of the bowl would replace some of the liquid absorbed to the pasta.

Overall: We keep coming back every time we come to Las Vegas because the food is consistently tasty, interesting, and well made. It can be hard to get a reservation, but that’s not a bad thing if it means Esther’s stays busy and open for the...