Chef/Owner James Trees has announced the opening date for the new Esther’s Kitchen location at 1131 South Main Street in the Las Vegas Arts District. The new Esther’s will open for dinner, weekday lunch and weekend brunch beginning Friday, March 8, 2024. Reservations information will be made available via Esther’s Kitchen social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @estherskitchenlv, X: @LVEsthers) on March 6.

Replacing the original location on California Street (1130 Casino Center Dr.) which closed Feb. 28 2024, the restaurant will now offer 187 seats including 28 bar seats in a 10,432 square foot space–in total more than three times the capacity of the original location.

“We are really excited to provide the same neighborhood, seasonal experience for our guests that we have been doing for six years,” said Trees, “Only now, we won’t have to turn anyone away.”

Taking over a 1940s-vintage corrugated steel and concrete building that previously housed the Retro Vegas vintage store, the new Esther’s Kitchen will be a continuation of the seasonal Italian & craft cocktails restaurant which has been a popular favorite for locals and visitors alike–and a consistent award winner–since opening in 2018. In most recent years, reservations have frequently booked out weeks in advance, creating the demand for a larger space. Trees was adamant about keeping the restaurant in the Arts District, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself, as the new location is literally steps away from the original.

While staying faithful to the spirit of the original, the new Esther’s will offer several new exciting features including a vastly improved entrance experience, live pasta making and wood fired pizza stations, a private dining room with approx 55 seats, and a wraparound bar including window bar rails with a view of Main & California. The new kitchen will include a wood fired hearth, adding some large format entrees to the menu, and a full professional baking suite. An additional loft bar experience will open at a later date.

Decor by Amanda Trees will include walnut countertops, tufted dining chairs in buckskin and English pub blue, bespoke wall coverings include vintage mid century breeze block-style accents and reclaimed wood, hand built wainscotting, and chandeliers recalling twirled pasta. A rear hallway pays tribute to the first six years of Esther’s with a collage of menus beneath framed awards. Yellow banquettes and a wall size print of the Venice, CA pier recall the original Esther’s decor, while the pizza oven is covered in a mosaic of Esther’s floor tiles.

Chef Trees will be joined on the management team by Executive Chef Sean O’Hara, Director of Operations Keith Bracewell, General Manager David Klarer, Event Coordinator Gatsby Darwin, Bar Manager Tucker St. John.

Exterior Detail, Esther’s Kitchen, Main St. (courtesy Timeless Cuisine)

ESTHER’S KITCHEN EXECUTIVE TEAM HEADSHOTS (credit Courtesy Timeless Cuisine)

About James Trees & Esther’s Kitchen

Fresh, Seasonal, Local, Simple. These ideas shouldn’t be uncommon in the restaurant world, but are far too often overlooked. For Chef James Trees, after scaling some of the most impressive heights in the restaurant business with a who’s-who of celebrity chefs (from Michael Mina to Gordon Ramsay, Eric Ripert and many others), no ambition was calling him more than bringing it all back home. Esther’s Kitchen, named for the Great Aunt who was Chef James’ first mentor, is nothing more–and nothing less–than a local restaurant inspired by its Las Vegas Arts District neighborhood to elevate the simple, and simplify elegance. Grounded in the ingredient-driven cuisine of Italy, pastas, breads and nearly everything possible are made in-house; produce and proteins come from the best local sources available; wines are chosen for intrigue and value; cocktails are mixed to please you, not a bartender’s ego. It’s a restaurant you’ll want to call home.

Esther’s Kitchen has been fortunate to receive a number of accolades since opening including Gayot top 10 new restaurants in the US, 2018; 10 Best Las Vegas Restaurants and #1 Best Italian (USA Today). Best Italian in Las Vegas nods from Gayot.com, Thrillist and Desert Companion magazine; and “Best New Neighborhood Mindblower” from Las Vegas Weekly. TripAdvisor named it a worldwide Travelers Choice in 2020 and #15 “Hidden Gems” in the US in 2022. Yelp selected Esther’s pizza as one of the Top 100 in the US, 2023. Thrillist has also tapped it as one of the best Italian restaurants in the country.

Chef James Trees has been recognized as “Chef of the Year – 2019” by the Nevada Restaurant Association “Executive Chef of the Year, 2019” by the Silver State Awards, “Chef of the Moment” by VEGAS magazine and “Chef of the Year” for the Desert Companion 2021 Restaurant Awards. Trees was also selected as a Finalist for the James Beard Award: Best Chef Southwest 2020.

1131 S Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89104

Guest Services: (702) 570-7864 info@estherslv.com

EsthersLV.com

Instagram/Facebook/TikTok @EsthersKitchenLV

Reserve Your Spot To Enjoy Live Performances by
Seffarine, “Animaniacs” And Dixie Flats

     The city of Las Vegas is sponsoring three free March concerts, featuring a variety of music and entertainers. All concerts are free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages. Reserve your spot now and receive concert updates. Food trucks will offer refreshments for sale at each park.

Seffarine – Reserve a spot.

Friday, March 8, 7 p.m.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800  S. Brush St., in the indoor theatre.

The band intertwines Moroccan and American influences, creating an extraordinary fusion. Led by the vocals of Lamiae Naki and the masterful oud playing of Nat Hulskamp, Seffarine weaves together intricate rhythms and melodies with evocative storytelling. Drawing inspiration from their diverse cultural backgrounds, this dynamic ensemble delivers an immersive musical experience that transcends borders and captivates audiences around the world.

“Animaniacs” – Reserve a spot.

Saturday, March 16, 7 p.m.

Centennial Hills Park Amphitheater, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive at Deer Springs Way

Starring the show’s original Emmy-winning composer Randy Rogel and the voice talents of Emmy Winner Rob Paulsen, with Maurice LaMarche (“Pinky & The Brain”), the performances are as relevant today as when the animated TV series debuted in the early 1990s. With new episodes currently streaming on HULU, “Animaniacs” is a multi-generational animated favorite with universally recognized hit songs. As its creators say, “Animaniacs in concert is for the adults – it’s hip, it’s funny…but kids will love it, too!”  Bring low-back chairs or blankets to be more comfortable on the amphitheater lawn.

Dixie Flats – Reserve a spot.

Saturday, March 30, 7 p.m.

Bruce Trent Park, 8851 Vegas Drive.

Dixie Flats is a Las Vegas-based band, playing hot jazz, Depression-era blues, Second Line and other music inspired by the culture and traditions of New Orleans. Named for a topographical feature in Elko, Nevada, Dixie Flats aims to respectfully interpret the music that they love, with a nod to the countless artists that inspire them. Bring low-back chairs or blankets to be more comfortable on the park lawn. Hear the group here.

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Event Will Feature Local Vendors And Produce From The Historic Westside Urban Farm

    The city of Las Vegas will host the first farmers’ market at the Historic Westside Urban Farm Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at James Gay III Park, located at 197 Harrison Ave.

    The city will partner with community vendors, including Obodo Collective and other local growers, to offer fresh food for purchase. This is the first of four markets scheduled to be held at James Gay III Park in 2024.

    “The entire community is invited to come out to the farmers’ market and enjoy produce from the urban farm as well as goods offered by community vendors,” Ward 5 Councilman Cedric Crear said. “The reimaging of James Gay III Park and the urban farm are a part of the continued work of the HUNDRED Plan in Action.”