Esther's Kitchen Reviews

Delicious and great Italian restaurant. The bread and pastas are hand made in house and super fresh. Every single item we had was outstanding. Staff are very friendly. Off the beaten path - which is nice in Las Vegas - well worth the drive.

Wow! This place was amazing! From the service to the vibe everything was great. The real highlight was the food though. Try the sourdough with the spread and the meatballs are easily the best ones I’ve ever had. Wish we had room for dessert. I will recommend this to everyone and will certainly visit again when in Vegas

A weekend foodie adventure in Las Vegas with the guys concluded with an exceptional meal and experience at Esters. Staff was so nice and food satisfied every desire!

We made a reservation and although they were busy, our wait would not have been long for a Monday lunchtime. All street parking is paid, plan for it. Service was good but when asked if I would like bread, I did not realize I was buying a half a loaf to be added to our check. Servers should mention the up charge as bread is normally included with meals in the US. My spouse had the meatball sandwich and said it was good. My pasta had little flavor and was dry. Next table ordered the same dish and it must have been a different cook because it looked delicious. Unlucky me! Ambiance is nice and I can see why people would come here. I'd try a different dish next time.

We had a great meal at Esthers Kitchen. My husband had the lamb and I had the mushroom gnudi. Being tourist you are never sure about online reviews but this pick was 100% on point. Can't wait to visit again.

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 foreseeable future.

Excellent Italian all around.Food and service and value all tops.Highly recommend-note a bit away from the glitz but short ride worth it. Pasta dishes and pizzas are delicious- many locals told us best in LV

Now serving Vegas for over 5 years it seems as though every available superlative has been used to describe Esther's Kitchen, but the word "deliberate" isn't used enough. In an era where every new Restaurant begs to be liked by making "pretty" food James and his team are just making really great food. Seasonal food that is undoubtedly rooted in technique but never compromises flavor for looks. Food that isn't full of unnecessary additions, full of itself or trying to tell some story. Food you want to eat, then eat more of, because it comes from the heart.

Very busy restaurant, you must have a reservation. Full of young people. The food is delicious and with a moderate price. Easy to park the car nearby in the street. The service is great as well.

I visited Esther’s Kitchen in Las Vegas from the UK while on a business trip with my son. I’d seen a few glowing reviews online, and to say this place didn’t disappoint is an understatement. We arrived without a reservation around 10pm, fully expecting a rushed service at the end of the night — but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The welcome was warm, the service outstanding, and the atmosphere still buzzing. The food? Absolutely incredible. Simple, fresh, and bursting with flavour — proof that great cooking doesn’t need to be complicated. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Thank you to the team at Esther’s Kitchen — I can’t wait to come back!

had a dinner there. Booking service and service very good. The food was good and tasty. The description of the food a bit inaccurate as well as the spiciness not specified.. rather ask beforehand..very loud.

Waiting more than half an hour before we could sit down, it was full and people kept coming in, this is a good sign. And so it turned out, service very friendly and correct, pizza was delicious according to my son, we had pasta carbonara and spaghetti, all delicious. Beforehand the sourdough bread with 3 kinds of spreads all delicious! What a nice restaurant when you're in Las Vegas.

Food was excellent. Had to wait a little bit (own fault, should've had reservations) but was seated well before suggested time. Bread was OK, pasta was exceptional. Literally the highlight of our trip.

This is our first time back to Esthers Kitchen since they expanded to their bigger location. We sat at the bar so can't comment on a table experience. It was busy so it took awhile to get service which is to be expected. The food came out at different times (which is usual) but we didn't get one of the items we ordered so we kindly reminded the server. Nothing came out after another half hour so we figured the order was forgotten. We had already boxed up our leftovers and had asked for the bill when they finally brought out the missing pasta dish. We said we were already leaving but the server left the plate anyway and said we had to talk to the bartender about it. These things can happen but we noticed that the servers/bartenders seemed very stressed, disorganized, and not friendly which doesn't make for a great experience for the customer. The last pasta dish that came at the end was definitely undercooked (not al dente) and not good- so perhaps the kitchen was backlogged? In any case, ALL of these things added up to a lousy dinner all around.

Couldn’t get a dinner reservation (booked two weeks out!) so went for brunch. Delicious brunch/lunch food. Our server Nolan was outstanding. Made fabulous suggestions for what we should eat and drink. Bloody Mary’s were unusual and delicious. My Benedict was so good. Perfect blend of flavors. Would love to try for dinner!!

What an amazing meal! We loved our dinner at Esther's. It felt special since it was off the strip - we felt like locals. We were seated quickly and the vibes were fun. The restaurant was busy, but we had no delays in getting food. The sourdough bread was outstanding - warm, crunchy outside, soft inside. I had a carbonara pasta and my husband had pork cheeks - both were unbelievably flavorful. This was by far the best restaurant we visited on our trip.

We went first in 2022 and loved the food. Everything is fresh and made in house. Every dish we tried including the cocktails were so good. We visited again this year and did not disappoint. Highly recommended.

We ordered the wrong things apparently because we didn't like our experience at all. Service was very ho-hum and advice from waiter either wasn't understood or just bad advice. Tried duck confit pizza and appetizers and they were not good!

Came for dinner just to get the Steak that we saw last time we are here. We were seated and ordered our usual sourdough bread with burata and ceaser salad. Always good. We got the steak which came with roasted potatoes and burnt Brussel sprouts. Steak was already cut up and was excellent. We also shared a pasta pomodoro which was also delicious. Service was great and the GM bought us their new dessert which was equally as good. Will be back next month when in town!

The food is excellent and very authentic. You feel like you're in Italy. Great service; I was lucky to be served by Dominic, whose recommendations were simply fantastic. For all lovers of good food and drinks, this is the right place in Las Vegas.

My husband and ate here on our 20th wedding anniversary. The food was amazing! The freshly made sourdough bread was so good. You get to pick one or more spreads to eat with it, we had 3 and all were delicious. The portions are enough for two people to share, we ordered the Italian chopped salad and the Agnolotti stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese. It was to die for. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who truly appreciates quality ingredients. They should be awarded a Michelin star.

Make a Reservation! Food is great - Very Popular - Moderate price and easy to get to. Overall recommended in the Arts Distrcit

Hubby and I ate here a couple of years ago at recommendation of a local beertender. Absolutely loved it. Sat at bar with great service from very helpful, personable bartenders. Food was much better than I was expecting. On this trip, we KNEW we would come back, so suggested it to our friends as well. Wasn’t sure they were going to join, but they did. ALL loved it. Some commented that it was the best meal they’ve had! There were 6 of us and again, we sat at the bar—new location than on our 1st trip, so larger bar. Dominick was our bartender. What a character! He was efficient, accommodating, super helpful, friendly, hysterical and just tons of fun! The food, well, it’s the best! I eat A LOT of Italian food, and their’s is very authentic tasting and sooooo delicious. Get anything, no disappointments. Stopped by the kitchen to offer thanks on way out, and noticed others from our group had done the same. It’s always nice to know that the place you suggest for dining in a town full of restaurants was a huge hit! See you next time we are in town (or sooner if you’d open a location in Charleston—PLEEEEZ!)

Our son is a foodie, and he found this gem over in the arts district (between The Strat and Circa). It was worth the Uber rides and reservations are required to not have a 30-50 minute wait. It has become super popular and is a neighborhood restaurant, not a big chain place. Chef used to work at a mega resort and is now farm to table fresh. The menu often changes but they always have their signature pasta (made fresh daily) and sourdough pizzas. A huge chunk of sourdough bread comes with every pasta entree. The spaghetti was seriously the best I have ever tasted (and I make my own sauce). The carbonara was incredible, as were the meatballs and spicy pizza. We cannot wait for our next trip to enjoy another meal there.

Esther’s Kitchen is a standout Italian restaurant in Las Vegas’ Arts District. The menu focuses on made-from-scratch dishes, with rotating handmade pastas, rich sauces, and excellent seasonal ingredients. The house-made sourdough bread is a must, and even the lighter options—like the butter lettuce and Italian chopped salads—are thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. The meatballs were a great addition to the meal. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, perfect for everything from date nights to casual business lunches. National recognition from Netflix makes sense—Esther’s Kitchen delivers on both food and experience.

You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! You can't go left either, you can only go right!! And they do everything right at Esther's Kitchen! Better food and service than anywhere on the strip!

If you like eating in a restaurant that has the atmosphere of a bar where you can’t hear anything except noise, this place is for you. The food was slightly above average, The service was no more than efficient. A glass of wine was $17. I guess you’d forgive all this if you love Las Vegas.We were just passing through.

It’s clearly Vegas’ good surprise: an excellent Italian restaurant in the US! Finally!! The menu is quite simple: pizza and pasta. Personally I had a pizza. The dough was airy but especially the tomato sauce was mixed with aromatic herbs that gives it a unique and so delicious taste. $50 for two for two courses and a beer. It’s not the local pizzeria to do fast but it’s worth it to treat yourself from time to time 😁🥳

Second visit to this restaurant and both times it was great. They use seasonal ingredients combined in interesting ways. The server was VERY knowledgeable and friendly. Great meal for a reasonable price. Good vegan options. Need to plan ahead with reservations as they are usually booked way in advance.

Given all the rave reviews, I was excited about trying this place. We started with prosciutto and fontina biscuits and they were dry and tasteless. My wife had chittara cacio de Pepe and it was not bad. The pasta was slightly over done but the pepper was just the correct amount. I had the tasteless, dry, under seasoned chicken parm sando. We shared the dark chocolate pistachio tart and it tasted like chocolate sand. The place was very disappointing.

Everything I have had here is amazing, they put care into every dish and it shows . It is our must go every time we are in Vegas. Get the bread and spreads and the butterscotch budino, fit it in!

We are so glad we got away from the strip to enjoy this gem. The food and the service were sensational! Everyone working there seemed super passionate about their offerings! The kitchen staff was throwing down while having fun.

Excellent place for a meal. Brunch is fantastic. Great menu and delicious food. Service is exceptional. Love the stoneware serving pieces.

First for the positive: my kids and husband enjoyed their food here, including the fresh made sourdough. However, I have celiac disease and asked the waiter whether any of the main courses could be prepared gluten free. He pointed to some appetizers that were gluten free but could not identify any main courses. I ordered the risotto and asked him to confirm that it was gluten free; he never did (I ate it and had no reaction, but it would have been nice to have the peace of mind, particularly where I had asked specifically). On my to the restroom I saw an “I <3 gluten” sign affixed to a kitchen window, which might explain his reaction. In addition, the AC was weak and the waiter was sniffling, not sure whether from illness or something else.

Very underwhelmed. Place just feels like they are pumping through guests—you are packed in like sardines and it’s very loud. Service is spotty. Squash blossoms were heavy and so fried you lost the blossom entirely; it was like eating fried ricotta. Mussels were over breaded. Dips for bread (which was a highlight) had little flavor. The zucca pasta was gloppy.

Holy Wow! We agree that this was some of the best Italian food we've ever had. (And we've been to Italy three times.) This place is incredible. Our waiter Jeremy was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly with excellent timing and skill. My wine was too fabulous ... I had to have a second glass. We started with the cauliflower appetizer. It's now my favorite appetizer ever. The texture, the flavors of the capers, anchovies & calabrian chili was mind-blowing. I loved it so much that I asked Jeremy (a culinary school grad) how they make it. He knew exactly how the make it. I was really impressed. For our mains, my husband had the meatball sandwich. That sandwich is boss, a complete monster. The proportion of meat to bread was a wonderful surprise. The meatballs were tender, juicy and well-seasoned. I ordered the zucca pasta dish and it was sooooo good. And paired perfectly with my Vino from Abruzzo! The texture of the pasta was beautiful. The flavor with the sausage, broccolini and roast tomatoes was heavenly. The portions at this place are no joke ... we didn't have a fridge in the room so we ate until we seriously could eat no more. This place is an easy and bold 5/5. The atmosphere is pretty cool. The prices are decent. The portions generous. The entire staff is top notch professionals. I will never come back to Vegas without eating here.

Food was great. We had a pizza and meatballs as appetizers - meatballs were a little dry so we asked for some more sauce for them and was charged for the sauce! Both entrees were great and we asked for the leftovers to be boxed - about 1/2 of each entree and the pizza - when we left we noticed later they didn't put either entree in the large to-go bag - just the pizza (I guess we should have inspected it). Disappointed as we had enough food left for another whole meal - but only had the pizza. Thought the food was very good but disappointed in the nickel and dime charging for extra sauce and not getting our boxed food. Would go again but will pay attention to the to-go packaging

Absolutely delicous! Staff: Super friendly! Food: DELICIOUS!!! This restaurant is not in the center of Las Vegas but really close and DEFINITIVELY the BEST italion in Las Vegas!!! We loved it!

Excellent service excellent food and wonderful ambiance. Portions are perfect size, everything we ordered tasted fab and was presented beautifully. A lot of attention to detail

Amazing place ! The servers and cooks are amazing ! The food tastes so great, they never fail with any dish!

This fabulous restaurant with exquisite food and service was recommended to us by Monet at 8East (which is pretty damn good too). We sat at the bar because the restaurant was booked and Tucker was our bartender extraordinaire. My husband and I are foodies, even aficionados; everything was amazing, the food, the drink, the service. I only wish we could find something this exceptional near our home! I mean look at this pizza crust-it was perfection. Apparently the baker is a scientist/baking nerd and we love him for that.

The good and service is some of the best in Las Vegas! As someone who enjoys really good food and quality service this place hit the spot! We will be back next time we are in town!

Beautiful little place that feels like fine dining, but semi casual dress was no barrier. We got very lucky on a weeknight without reservations but reservations are the way to go to be sure. The bread with various butters defies description, it alone is worth a visit. Loved the anchovy butter & the Foie Gras butter. We all had pasta leftovers for breakfast the following day, portions are plentiful. Dessert selection is small but we were too stuffed to care. Service was excellent, I’ll be looking for reasons to visit the arts district again.

good restaurant with good food but not exceptional. Pizza, bread and salad was good but not something to remember. Rizzoto was not cook properly but restaurant gave a new one and didn't charge for it. the servers were nice and atmoshper was good.

First visit and it exceeded expectations. To reach the venue, take an Uber or taxi if you're on the strip. It's a 6.7 km, 1 hr 39 min walk but manageable if you prefer to walk. The food was outstanding - we tried the in-house baked sourdough bread, margarita pizza, chopped salad, carpaccio, and finished with a delicious chocolate crepe cake. The flavors were fantastic, presentation was impeccable, and the service was fantastic. The owner/chef even came out to greet guests and ensure a great experience. Highly recommended.

Fabulous birthday lunch! We had visited Esther's as part of the Lip Smacking Foodie Tour. We were blown away by the food. So we immediately booked my birthday lunch there. Our server, Laure was amazing! Attentive, knowledgeable and very kind. She even gave us a free glass of champagne for my birthday That is what makes a great experience. Thanks Laure, you are the best!

Do yourself a favor and get off the strip to Esther's Kitchen , what a cool place with great service . They have a really unique drink menu , our cocktails were refreshing and tasty . Our Server walked us through the menu and offered us great advice . The sourdough bread service is amazing , we chose 3 toppings which were all good but the butter itself was delicious . We had the meatball appetizer , great , problem was between the bread and balls , we were finding ourselves stuffed already . For entrees we chose the pasta al zucca and carbonara , both dishes were prepared perfectly . Everything at this restaurant is local sourced and made from scratch , a must try when visiting Vegas .

Came in here by chance. Sat at the bar. Great bar tender and lovely service. Had a beer and a negroni. Negroni was ok - a bit heavy on the Campari for me but not bad. Had the spicy pasta and the barman kindly brought me chili flake and chili oil just in case.i had a bit of a wait but the restaurant was busy. It was worth it though as every single mouthful was delicious. Several day later I’m still thinking about it. Not cheap but great as a treat.

The food was amazing and server was very attentive. However, I came with coworkers on a Tuesday at 12:30 and we waited an hour and a half to get our food. We ordered 2 sandwiches and a pizza. We needed to get back to work! I can see waiting a little, but not this time. The server kept apologizing profusely. It was strange because it was not packed and everyone was flustering around in the kitchen and staring at our table. Unfortunately, I will not be coming on my lunch break anymore but will come back on the weekend. Not sure what happened here. I am giving it 4 stars only because of the long wait.

Food was amazing and the vibes match it. One of the best places to eat in downtown Las Vegas highly recommended.

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner from start to finish. Ethel called me to confirm tent dining after I asked for outdoor seating, and directed me in after Siri sent us down the block. 2 glasses of Prosecco on the house for our anniversary were waiting for us. The cauliflower alla romana was the BEST presentation of the vegetable I've ever put in my mouth! Wine recommendation of Txakoli was outstanding, as was the decadent chocolate crepe cake.

Dinner at Esther's Kitchen was a lot of fun. The food was very good, as was service. I recommend Esther's Kitchen to locals and especially to tourists. Get out of the hotel casinos, visit Las Vegas' Arts District and have dinner at Esther's. Have a drink in the bar first; I think you'll enjoy it. We arrived well before our reservation so were told we could wait in the bar upstairs. It's a steep metal staircase, FYI, in case anyone in your party is mobility-challenged. The bar itself is small and dark; I said, "Oh, isn't this cozy?" It really is cozy. I feel for the Bartenders who have a very tiny and very dark area in which to work together (two of them) while they mix fabulous drinks in the near-dark. Sarah is an excellent Bartender. She made the best Manhattan I've ever had. She skewered an amarena cherry which is very expensive and tastes it; it's exquisite. I felt as if I should pay for the show watching Sarah work. She put so much care into each and every drink. Eventually our table was ready. Let me get the bad out of the way: (1) The place is busy and it is loud. Don't expect to be seated immediately, even with a reservation. And be warned that the noise level is high. Another negative: (2) The tables are VERY close together. Our table for four was squeezed between the Waiters' stand and an occupied table. When I saw the gap between their occupied chairs and our empty chairs, I asked my husband if he thought we'd fit. We did but I wasn't certain until we tried. Final negative: (3) The menu; well, the bread spread section of it. I reviewed the menu on-line two or three times in the days leading up to our reservation. I couldn't understand the bread section. The day of, I asked my friend who'd been here before to explain it to me. He wasn't able to do so. Once we were seated, I tried again. Aha! I finally got it. There isn't a selection of breads as the menu implied to me. There is only one bread. The selection is of their bread spreads. They have about eight bread spreads from which to choose. We choose three: Burrata, Basil Ricotta and Nduja. We were also served the House Butter so we ended up with one loaf of very delicious (to die for) bread and four spreads. Suggestion to The Powers Who Be: Label that first section of the menu 'BREAD SPREADS.' Seriously. I'm an educated person who has traveled a lot and I couldn't figure it out. I honestly thought those were bread varieties. Now to the food: Hubby ordered the Lasagna which he does at every "new" Italian restaurant. His dish was absolutely delicious. He loved it. He loved it so much that he gave each of us a bite. It is in fact scrumptious but it doesn't taste anything like lasagna. Yes, it's layered and baked but that's where the resemblance ends. It is a Wild Boar Ragout inside layered lasagna pasta. The boar melts in your mouth it's so tender. I've never had Risotto but after four years of binge-watching cooking shows, I knew I had to try Risotto so "tonight's the night." I didn't realize that it's a vegan dish. Reuben looked at the slices of bread that I had covered in cheeses (bread spreads) and said, "This is a vegan dish and I see that you are not vegan. I'd like to ask the kitchen to add cheese and butter to your Risotto. May I do that?" Thank you, Reuben. I would have been really unhappy without the cheese and butter in the Risotto. As it was, I left most of the Risotto. The Risotto itself was "meh." It came with fried artichokes. They were too oily, a complaint I see other Reviewers have made about their food in general. Also, I know that, if not prepared properly, artichokes can cause a lot of damage to a diner's throat. That just freaked me out; clearly, I've been watching too much Food Network, LOL! My friend liked her wood-fired Calabrian Sausage but, when it was put in front of her, she didn't like its appearance. Look at the photo. It looks like either a cinnamon roll or ... My other friend very much liked his Branzino. Our waiter Reuben, his Assistant, and Replacement Waiter Dan were very good. They kept us in water and wine. They were around when we needed them. I was blown away by how huge the footprint is. The ladies room was a trek but, when we got there, well worth it. Cool and funky. I highly recommend this restaurant especially to tourists. Get off the Strip and see the rest of Vegas.

We were searching for a good breakfast place and found Esther’s Kitchen on TripAdvisor so we decided to try it. We were so glad we did. The food was excellent. We commented we would go back just for the bread. The spreads for the b read were excellent. My favorite was the ricotta basil spread. The staff was very accommodating. It was an out of the way place that was in a neighborhood. I had the Jidori (spelling) Chicken sandwich. If you are looking for a nice quiet off the beaten path Esther’s Kitchen should be on your radar. The food is excellent, the staff is very friendly and the decor is eclectic.

Tried 5 different dishes and they were all excellent. Lobster pasta had a lot of lobster and super flavourful noodles, squash tortilini was comfort food at its best, and basic spaghetti was anything but basic. We loved it all!!!

Off the Strip YUMMY-Wonderful Italian food in the Arts District a short Uber from the strip. Everything is homemade from pizza to pasta. Good for intimate date and group party!

After all the fabulous reviews I've seen and heard about this restaurant I couldn't wait to get there. I made sure to make a reservation and they took us promptly on arrival. I was a little disappointed in the decor - for all the fuss, I would have thought they would put some effort into the restaurant itself. I felt like I was going to a pizzeria...nothing upscale or appealing at all. The place was packed. We were there on a Friday at 630PM. It took forever for the waiter to get to us and I chalked it up to the full restaurant. He was very nice and I ordered a martini, and he cut me off to say they didn't have the vodka I wanted. That was ok I guess and he suggested a specialty cocktail off the menu. I ordered it and he came back 10 minutes later to tell me they ran out. What?? # 1 it took him 10 minutes to tell me and #2 - if it's a specialty cocktail, how do you run out of it early on a Friday night? Ridiculous. I ordered an Italian lager beer - fine. We ordered the bread special plate with a selection of spreads. The bread was fabulous but the spreads were 3 for $17 and I'm not kidding when I tell you there was maybe a tablespoon of each on the plate. That's when the fun began. We finished the bread and waited, and waited, and waited. No food and no waiter. a half hour later I finally saw the waiter and asked where the food was. He said he already asked for the food, said they were backed up a little. I asked how long ago he asked and he said 10 minutes - what? So where was the food?? He said he would send over the manager. Another 10 minutes passed before the manager came over to tell us they were running a little behind and he'd check on the food. We waited ANOTHER 10 minutes before the food came. No more drinks, no fresh water, nothing and we had waited an h our for the food. The food was fair at best. I ordered the tripe and asked the waiter when I ordered it if it was spicey because I couldn't eat spicey - he said no. It was so spicey my lips were burning and I couldn't eat it. I sent it back. Another one of us ordered the branzino - it was a full fish but it was so smokey that it was barely edible. My daughter ordered the Chicken and it was so dry she could barely eat one piece. For all the hype and rave reviews, I can't help but wonder why everyone thinks so highly of it all. Our experience was awful, and I won't go back. I can name 10 Italian restaurants in town that are so much better than that. No apologies from the manager, or the waiter. Don't waste your money.

We booked a table for 5:45pm but ended up getting there much earlier as we were in the area. We hoped if we were waiting to go in when it opened at 5pm that we'd be able to eat earlier. Unfortunately despite going in at 5pm, we were told we'd have to sit and wait and that we'd likely not get a table until close to our reservation time. I appreciate that we'd booked a table for a bit later and it's not their fault we were early but the problem was that while we were sat waiting, lots of people with no reservations at all were given seats at the bar or in the outside patio area. We couldn't understand why we weren't at least offered one of those options instead. I wonder if it was an error made by the girl greeting people as another member of staff then had a word with her about how she could move things around and the next thing we were being shown to a table about 20 mins after getting there. This is quite a buzzing restaurant and you can see from the number of people there at 5pm that it's a popular place to go. It did get quite noisy and the tables are quite close together but that's not necessarily a problem. Our server was lovely and she went through the menu in detail explaining what the dishes were, how they would be served and whether they were shareable or not. She really was great. We ordered the bread, the meatballs and the cauliflower to start. The meatballs were lovely but came with a couple of slices of bread so we probably didn't need the extra bread which was quite filling (and we ended up leaving most of it). The cauliflower tasted lovely to start with but it had more of an Asian feel to it rather than Italian. It was one of those fried dishes that gets a bit sickly the more of it you eat. For main my husband had the pasta with pork and mushroom which he said was really good. I went for the oxtail, celery root and truffle pasta. This was really good and very tasty although I struggled to eat it all after being so full up on cauliflower! My advice would be to not order quite as much as we did as it's good sized portions and all very filling! It was a really good meal and we did really enjoy the food. It's not your traditional italian food, more Italian with a modern twist. If you are going make sure to book a table as it's a very busy and popular place.

We had a wonderful lunch at Esther's kitchen. Make sure to have a reservation, because it is quite popular

Had a fabulous brunch here on a Sunday. Recommend having reservations for quick seating. The small restaurant was packed for brunch with a line outside. Loved the restaurant vibe and the neighborhood it’s in. Our server was incredible; there at the right times, expert on the menu, and had great suggestions. The food was very, very good. So good I’m coming back to try dinner in February. The bread and pasta are house specialties and they do not disappoint. The bread and different flavored butters .. oh my. I had a breakfast pizza which was delicious, too big to finish. Family had a mix of chicken parmesan sandwich, pasta, traditional eggs breakfast. Everyone raved about their dishes. You have to try this restaurant.

What can I say - stumbled upon this hip, friendly, lively, authentic restaurant on YouTube and from the warm welcome, amazing staff and transcendent food to the above and beyond service, this ranks in our top 3 dining experiences in 20 years of visiting Vegas. Would highly recommend the carpaccio and the lobster pasta - it goes without saying that you’ll be having the sourdough. Huge thanks to Pamela for outstanding service and to our host (didn’t catch her name) who ordered and was willing to pay for our Uber as we YK travellers ventured off strip. Couldn’t recommend more highly.

Came for dinner while in town. Been coming here for a few years now. They offer very ecliptic dishes as you can see looking at the menu. Beef Cheeks was good but not a huge portion. Margarita pizza is always good and is 4 decent slices. Ceaser salad is good but probably not a good value at $16. Duck dish was also pretty good. Service was a little spotty as the server had the back room to himself. This is a very popular restaurant so make a reservation well ahead of time.

Esther’s is without doubt the best restaurant in Vegas but I have to admit I hate the fact that some people are able to reserve the bar area while others who are locals and regulars can’t. Despite this, it’s a must and if you don’t have a reservation don’t even think about turning up. They will soon be moving to a new larger location around the corner. This Italian restaurant does its own in house bread and pasta. But it’s not an Olive Garden !!! Thank god. The sauces are delicate and full of flavor. Try something from each section of the menu.

We visited with a reservation on a Tuesday night. They were busy but got us right in. The service was very good and the food was great. The Chartuterie(sp)? Was over the top. Wild boar ragu was also excellent.

Read how great the reviews are but its off away from most things. We went anyway and had the best bread, pizza, salad and drinks. Wonderful. put your worries away and try it.

Make a reservation, call an Uber, leave the strip! You will not be disappointed! This restaurant is a gem in Las Vegas. Actually went for bunch and it was incredible. Everything you would expect from a top joint in your hometown! Fresh from scratch food, great atmosphere, amazing staff! Probably the best carbonara I've ever had.

Excellent service and food. Hope to return someday! Our server described our dishes thoroughly, accommodated the vegetarian in our group by ordering her pasta made with water rather than chicken broth, and was attentive without hovering. We loved the sourdough loaf with various spreads and the desserts , especially the butterscotch dessert that the chef is famous for.

If I were to rate tonight's meal solely on the food, 5 stars, hands down. Homemade sourdough bread, chopped salad, homemade bucatini, pork belly porchetta: all excellent. Aussie Wagyu carpaccio, recommended by our server: to die for. And the service itself was excellent. So tell me: why the rush?? Appetizer came out while we were still eating salad. The main courses came out while we were still finishing salad and appetizer. And we weren't dawdling. It was a meal I would have liked to savor more.

Super good food. Awesome vibe. Great service. Located in the Art District. Hands down best restaurant in that area.

I liked the atmosphere and the menu. Then very much enjoyed what I ordered. Service was prompt and professional but not gracious. A small but annoying point: When I booked my reservation online, I was asked if the meal was for a special occasion. I responded that it was to celebrate my birthday--a point repeated several days later over the phone when I changed the number of seats I had originally requested. This information seems to have gone unnoticed. I would have been embarrassed by a server singing "Happy Birthday" when bringing out a piece of cake, but the host could have said " Happy Birthday and welcome to Esther's Kitchen" and the server could have added good wishes as well. If this kind of attention to detail cannot be offered, the restaurant should stop asking guests for personal information.

Get the sourdough bread with the basil spread! Oh my gosh! We ate almost all of it and there was only two of us! The butterscotch boulini was to die for! Wow! It was phenomenal! Great service. We had a reservation and got there ten minutes early, but they sat us right away!

Went there 1hr before closing, and they manage to sit us (a group 10) which was great because the place was pretty packed. Order bunch of dishes, all were good, nothing to remember, but still great experience. The only complain we had is that it took toooooo long for the dishes to come out. More than 30min, which is way too much.

The Arts District of Vegas is a series of blocks with low-slung buildings peppered with tattoo shops, antique junk purveyors and graffiti. This little Italian restaurant is more of a farm to table that leans into its excellent bread and pasta offerings. If you are willing to explore beyond overpriced and overdone Vegas resorts, it’s easy to take a Uber here for a very good, and considerably less expensive dinner. Be sure to buy a round of beers for the kitchen.

Our hosts live in Vegas so they know all the best local places to eat and secrets when and how to get in without reservations. Esther's was worth the standing outside for 20 minutes before they opened for dinner to take the chance that we could get a seat at the bar. You are offered all the same services by friendly high energy bartenders as in the restaurant. Food was fabulous and homemade bread and pasta.

We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was an amazing meal. The bread service was delicious, pasta was decadent and everyone in our party agreed it was one of the best meals ever. Take a trip to the arts district to eat at Esther’s!

I would recommend Esther’s to anyone looking for exceptional food and friendly service away from the smoke-filled air, blaring sounds and flashing lights of the casinos. We were greeted warmly, and despite a good-sized crowd, seated promptly in one of their “private pods,” a heated outdoor tent of our own. We ordered the butternut squash tortellini and ricotta gnudi, with a starter of their house-made sourdough bread with burrata. The bread was fresh, warm and flavorful, and both dishes were outstanding, with layers of flavor, so you tasted a little something extra with almost every bite. Our waitress was as friendly as the hostess, and attended to every request we made. This place is a gem.

Delicious as always, and service was on point! Ruben was our server, great guy and knows his stuff. He took great care of us! We drank the Kiki, Best Intentions and gumdrop all amazing and refreshing! We had the Pasta Fritti, Biscuits and gravy and the Blueberry and Crème fraîche they were so satisfying! I come here pretty often for lunch but brunch was new to me and such a delight! Great job guys! We even bought a round for the kitchen! Cheers!

Have heard and read lots about this place and when a friend got reservations was excited to give it a try… it is different and it is good food if you’re looking for a change in your traditional dinner options.. Our server overcharged us by a lot but we caught it. Mistakes happen but keep your eyes open.

Last visited for Brunch before the pandemic a Saturday afternoon visit once again found Esther’s Kitchen firing on all cylinders, the soon-changing menu filled with past favorites in addition to new plates executed at a fair price with exacting standards. Now serving Las Vegas for over 5 years, every available superlative already used to describe James Trees’ Restaurant that revitalized the Art’s District, it was with a packed house that three guests sat near a window up front with Coffee from Vesta and Baker Dylan Jobsz’s city-best Sourdough starting things off. Seasonal and rustic in a good way, Ham and Cheese Biscuits not pretty but wholly delicious even without Butter, Toasts come topped in everything from soft-scrambled Eggs to chunky Raspberry Jam with housemade Pistachio Butter. Intermingling sweet and savory, Cardamon-laced French Toast topped with Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread served alongside a Pizza Roll mellowing spicy Sauce with Poached Eggs, seasonality is showcased through Apple Pancakes featuring warming spices while any time of year is right for Country Fried Steak. Finishing with Polenta ground on-site, the fried Cheese lattice a necessary component during the day when Sunny Side Eggs might otherwise make the Cornmeal runny, the only bad news is that the group was not large enough to order more – a mistake that will not be repeated next time.

FIVE STARS: I can count on one hand how many Las Vegas Restaurants stand up against the "best in class" nationwide. Esther’s Kitchen is one of them, and not just because the “cool food kids” say so. Its because these men and women legitimately seem to love what they’re doing. Chef Trees isn’t just touching the tables of “influencers,” but rather septuagenarians loving every bite. Chef Lee isn’t just cooking for “foodies,” yet the dishes remain inventive with tons of nuance. Dylan’s bread is still Sin City’s best, no contest, and you should be happy to pay so little for it. You don’t go here to compare with Italy, but head-to-head the technique is no less dialed in than Michelin starred spots on both sides of the Atlantic, and the service is far better

Okay, I had been wanting to go here for awhile and since before they expanded and I finally got to go. On a cute little corner spot in the corner of the arts district in Las Vegas, so definitely a local’s place. The atmosphere is really popular, crowded and fun but there is also a lounge up the stairs that looks pretty cool! Had a little trouble ordering because, to me, the menu is a little hard to understand. Would love to see pictures with the description on the menus because, sorry not sorry, theres only so much that google, yelp, and trip advisor can do since some reviewers do not label the photos as to what they are. Someone in our group ordered a bunch of dips that went with bread (sorry I do not know which one as I am not the one that ordered it) but they were ALL really good. I know one was like a beet dip, one was chicken liver, one was foie gras, etc. All very good and would order again if I knew what it was my friend ordered but that is why I am going to hang on to the photos! Haha! My best friend ordered the spaghetti which was HUGE and was like three meals in one. Another friend ordered the Rigatoni which was his second time ordering this he said it was so delicious (I wish I had ordered that!), and another friend and I ordered the Zucca, which was okay. I wish there had been more meat and sauce on it though. Another friend of mine ordered the Fazzoletti, which looks amazing, but she said it was just okay....Another friend of mine had the Tajarin, which she also said was just okay. Great service though all around for our 8 person party! I would go again and try other things so if anyone has other recommendations then the items we tried, please let me know!

We were here for lunch on a Monday, you should definitely make a reservation! Our waitress was very nice, one who really earned her tip. We tried the famous sourdough bread with basil ricotta spread, then spaghetti with tomato sauce, basil and meatballs. Almost like in real Italy ;)

We visited recently and found the staff friendly, we were seated and served quickly. The bread and options of butters were great and the bread came out warm, which was a bonus for us. The strawberry lemonade was amazing - I would definitely recommend this if you like sweet things! I personally found the food a bit bland and a bit lukewarm - this could be due to preference as I like my food really hot. My partner had the mushroom and chicken pasta which he rated well - so maybe it was just me! Overall, the vibe of the place and the staff are great - I’d probably order something different if we went again.

This restaurant was recommended by a friend who lives in LV. We have been visiting LV for about thirty years (from the UK) but didn’t realise that an Art district had sprung up. We loved it as something different in the city. Esther’s is a great restaurant, spacious, not too noisy with very attentive and courteous staff. An excellent menu with food that arrived swiftly on warm plates. Wine list was good as well so every box was ticked for us. We will be back next year!

Esther's Kitchen is in a very cool little Vegas neighborhood, off the beaten path. The aromas grabbed me upon exiting the Uber. The hostess was one of the most polite and upbeat people you might wish to encounter. We had arrived early at this understandably busy restaurant, and she did a great job of seating us quickly. As we waited outside for a table, she exited the restaurant and came down the sidewalk to tell us the table was ready. We ordered their signature sourdough bread with anchovy butter and capers. Delicious! The all-day braised goat and gnocchi alla romana with pecorino, orange, and crispy parsley was a dish to long remember. The table service was exemplary, and the open kitchen added greatly to the experience. See for yourself. Skip the strip and visit this little gem of a restaurant.

Fantastic experience! The sour dough bread is amazing! Rigatoni was fantastic and the pizza with prosciutto and peaches is a must try!

Excellent choice. Pasta and bread were wonderful. Highly recommended. Better make a reservation it get busy

Esther’s kitchen lies smack dab in the middle of the arts district and if you want to try a restaurant that goes with the local vibe of the area, I don’t think you could find much better than here. The price point is what you would expect being a gourmet restaurant and a hip area of Las Vegas but it is well worth it. This by all means this is an Italian restaurant, but it seems that all of these offerings have been well thought out and elevated. They do a scratch sourdough here that you can try firsthand if you get an order of their bread or one of the tasty pizzas it should not be missed. everything all in all was five out of five and I would definitely come back and recommend it to anybody.

Esther’s Kitchen is a popular Italian restaurant that serves tasty dishes but falls short in delivering an overall good dining experience. The din of the customers was combined with fairly loud background music, making conversation at my table of four difficult. When the waiter (finally) arrived to detail the specials, it was nearly impossible to hear him. Plus the lighting was too dark to read the menu, so we deployed cell phone flashlights. Our meals were tasty but the noise level so detracted from the experience that I don’t plan to go back.

Pretentious, ran and filled with woke. Food was ok, nothing to shout about. No ketchup because their food is good enough apparently.

Did not disappoint!! The sourdough bread was delicious, and the homemade pasta is not to be missed. So many local places to choose in Vegas …. Choose here

Great casual spot for any meal. Prices were reasonable and the food was terrific! Bustling vibe and friendly service. We sat at the bar and seating was comfortable and bartender was attentive. There were only the two of us and we shared the caesar salad and chicken parm sandwich.... plenty of food for two. It's right in the heart of the art district and you're close to the shops and other restaurants if you choose to bar hop. Highly recommend coming here.

Last visited for Dinner in July Saturday once again found Esther’s Kitchen firing on all cylinders, the frequently-changing menu expanded to match a more sizable space located just around the corner from James Trees’ revolutionary original address. Now serving Las Vegas for nearly 7 years, every available superlative already used to describe James Trees’ Restaurant that revitalized the Art’s District, it was with a packed house that four guests sat near the bar with Baker Dylan Jobsz’s city-best Sourdough starting things off. Seasonal and rustic in a good way, exacting standards and impeccable service forever part of Esther’s D.N.A., it was with a focus on new items that all-new Crudo with Calabrian Chilis went toe-to-toe with grilled Squash decorated by Brie and Greens. Modifying Gnocco Frito for colder weather, light Dough fried and filled with airy Parmesan, new Entrees include earthy Lasagna quite different from Al Solito Posto plus spicy Sausage lent snappiness from the grill atop a sort of “Sausage & Peppers” Lentils setup. Pasta-centric as always, classics still present but this day’s focus on items such as Mezzaluna akin to Mario Batali’s iconic “Pumpkin Lune,” suffice it to say that there are no wrong options whether its Casarecce with Crab and ‘Nduja or hand-cut Noodles in Madeira Cream that reminisces of idyllic Mushroom Soup. Never forgetting Tree’s Polenta, though guests seeking something more hearty should consider a thick and juicy Pork Chop served alongside Beans, Dessert consisted of Esther’s forever refining Butterscotch Budino plus Chocolate Cake like a Klondike Bar and thick Basque Cheesecake.

We were in town for a convention and made a reservation based on a coworker's raves. Most of the food we'd had in Vegas was average to bad, so we were really looking forward to this last dinner in town. It was pretty good. But definitely not the stellar experience we were expecting. We were seated promptly, great. Server greeted us within a few minutes but seemed rushed and like she was trying to get away from the table while I was trying to order a cocktail. Having been a server for many years myself, I understand you can't always stand and chit chat with guests, but it was an unfortunate way to start. When she returned with our drinks she explained how the menu was set up and enthused about the bread, cauliflower, and a couple of entrees. One of them being a lamb dish two of us were considering. All of that was fine except it was almost painfully loud and we had trouble hearing her. Table next to us raved about the sourdough and the cauliflower so we decided to get those. Two of us got the lamb and one of us got a chicken dish. The bread came out first and was presented nicely. Warm and crusty outside, soft inside, good flavor, but not extraordinary. And it just made me wonder if the folks next to us had ever had good sourdough before. The cauliflower came out next, well ahead of our entrees. Okay, not what we were expecting, but we rolled with it. We were all familiar with the way the cauliflower was prepared, having had it numerous times before at other places. This one had too much anchovy though (and I like anchovy!) so it smelled and tasted more like it was part of a seafood dish than a vegetable with some pleasant umami. We ate about half. My coworker who had the chicken thought it was fine. The two of us who had the lamb agreed the fennel and arugula salad was nicely done and the polenta was good, but the lamb itself was on its way to being overcooked, and was lost in quite a lot of somewhat gloppy gravy. Maybe the chef set out to make a stew and it was exactly what he intended. But we couldn't help thinking it would have been so much more appealing had there been more lamb, simply braised and served with a couple spoonfuls of the braising liquid. There was a fair amount of food left on the plates when they were cleared, yet nobody asked about that or if we'd enjoyed the meal. I've worked in houses where the policy was to never ask, but always act as if guests were happy unless they complained. I always thought that was a mistake, and last night in the slightly awkward silence while nothing was being said, I wondered if that's the policy at Esther's. We shared a "chocolate cake" for dessert, and that was very good, despite there not being very much cake to it. No business is 100% on all the time so I'd go back again. But I'd definitely take any recommendations with a big grain of salt and ask a few more questions about the dishes before ordering.

Esther's Kitchen serves phenomenal Italian Food. The restaurant is very busy, so I definitely recommend making a reservation on Resy. We ordered the meatball appetizer, sour dough bread and pasta. All dishes were outstanding. The meatball was tender and had great flavor, the pasta was homemade and delicious. The servers and servers were exceptional. If you enjoy Italian Food, I highly recommend this restaurant.

We wanted to go off the strip for a day and peruse the shops and eat in The Art District. We were greeted by a friendly host, although we had to wait half an hour because we didn’t have reservations ( highly recommend making reservations) The bar tender was super friendly and the food was great! Thanks for a great lunch!!

The food is always great. the service is fast. we sat at the bar to avoid a hour wait.it is a good idea to make reservations because this restaurant is very busy. If you are goinr to Las Vegas this restaurant is a must try. It is located in the Arts District.

Great food, great service, reasonable prices, highly recommend, and located in cool Arts District of Vegas. Recommended to us by a local.

I loved Esther's Kitchen as a visitor to Vegas. I didn't realize how much I needed a break from the strip until we were seated and the relaxed, cozy atmosphere put us at ease. The service was absolutely impeccable as well. Attentive, kind, informative and warm. The sourdough is a must, and we had the three cheese sides to compliment the bread. We especially loved the Cambozola blue cheese. The Cauliflower alla Romana was mind blowing. This was not your pub fare fried veg. This was light, crispy, tender and extremely addictive. Easily the best cauliflower I've ever had. My companion had the rigatoni, which was a delicious dish although the pasta was slightly undercooked. It was just a shade shy of al dente, we didn't say anything and I'm sure they would have happily fixed it. No big deal. I had the Celery Root and Truffle Agnolotti with the wine special suggested by our server. The oxtail was extremely rich and decadent but very well balanced by the pasta and the wine cut though the fat. The agnolotti was perfect, toothsome and melt in your mouth. Mein gott. Finally we had the crepe cake for dessert. Perfect small portion for dessert, which is my preference. So lovely and satisfying to cut through the custardy crepe and chocolate layers. Like a very soft feuille texture. My main priority in Vegas was to enjoy some great food, and we accomplished that task. Esther's Kitchen was my favorite dining experience of the trip. Classy but totally unpretentious, with an emphasis on service and lovingly crafted rustic Italian. My highest recommendation.

We had a very leisurely midweek lunch. The service was professional and the drinks were very creative. Overall the food was okay, not really living up to the hype

The best restaurant I have ever visited in my 34 years of living. Fantastic food and friendly staff #willreturn xx.

Esther's is one of our neighborhood favorites. The staff is all very friendly, welcoming and attentive. We were seated on the covered patio which was pleasant. Even though it was 90 degrees outside we were cooled by oscillating fans and the shade; the only draw back were the pesky flies. No meal is complete at Esther's without the housemade crusty bread- served hot and with your choice of spread- delicious! We shared the black kale salad- lightly dressed and very tasty. We both also enjoyed the spaghetti with marinara-the sauce is light with chunks of tomato and whole garlic cloves. My husband topped his with a side of meatballs. The portion size is quite large and we each took home another meal. This is a busy site - reservations are a must and parking can be difficult to find.

Absolutely fabulous! I’ve read some just-average reviews but our experience today was solid. Jeremy was a great server and the food was off the charts: we split sourdough with 3 spreads (1. basil 2. blue cheese 3. Calabrian spicy); cauliflower (omg! A must) and the zucca with fennel sausage. Completed this amazing spread with a bottle of reasonably priced (for Vegas) Montepulciano. Will definitely pay a visit again next time in Vegas.

We have loved Esther’s through the years and it is actually a destination for us! This was our first time dining in the new, larger location with the same great food and service. An order of the bread is mandatory -whether you order a topping beyond butter and oil is a personal taste but, in my opinion, unnecessary. The black kale salad is nicely dressed and absolutely delicious. Large enough to split but satisfying enough to make it a full meal. We both enjoyed pasta entrees-cooked al dente and very tasty. We had enough for take away and a full second meal. The beverage list is interesting-a variety of wines by the glass, as well as crafted cocktails. Make reservations!

All the bread and pastas are made in house. Everything we had was wonderful. Staff are very friendly. Off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. TIP: Make a reservation, even for lunch

If you want an amazing Italian meal when visiting las Vegas, you've got to to Esther's Kitchen, (- Esther’s Kitchen, 1130 S. Casino Center Boulevard, suite 110). You should really book as we went on a Wednesday evening and it was non stop busy. The staff were friendly, attentive and professional. The food was another level. We had Sourdough bread and butter, with starters of little gem salad and pork and beef meatball. All delicious fresh and so tasty. Our main courses were Rigatoni and Pasta al zucca. Stunningly tasty but we could not do justice to as the portion sizes are quite generous. Highly recommended you won't be disappointed.

My husband and I were in town for vacation and decided to visit Esther's based on several of the reviews we read. Excellent choice! This is a cozy resturant in an area away from the strip. The service was excellent and our server made several exxellent suggestions. We started with shareable orders of the housemade sour dough bread and the Italian chopped salad. The bread was AMAZING! The salad plenty big enough to share and loaded with olives, salami, nutty chunks of cheese, and fresno chilis. My husband chose the housemade spaghetti with beef and pork meatballs. Perfect pasta, great sauce, and the meatballs were tender and flavorful. I had Pasta Al Zucca, a wonderful, cheesey concoction with ground pork, mushrooms, housemade pasta, and broccolini. I will crave this dish for a long time to come.

Not good. Wine by the glass barely covered the bottom of the glass for $14.00. Server said there is no happy hour when the website says there is…charcuterie board is chincy for $32.00 and has no olives of any kind, only very small rolled meats and cheeses and brought out at different intervals. Hostess said there are no openings when half of the tables were empty. A moment later she told us someone cancelled so we can have a table? Overall a big disappointment.

We dined at Esther's for lunch, as it is very difficult without advance reservations to secure a dinner time. We had two pasta, both delicious....the radiatore and the zucca. Two distinctly different pastas, they were perfect complements for one another. We also ordered the excellent beef and pork meatballs, which were wonderful with the radiatore. One warning however - while the sourdough bread and the associated spreads are a can't miss, don't eat too much of it as you want to enjoy the other entrees to the fullest. Overall, a most memorable experience.

What a great restaurant, its a hidden gem. Adam and his team were excellent and provided us with incredible service. Everything was so amazing.

Great place. Very good food, service, prices and atmosphere. Highly recommend a reservation as this place is popular.

Last visited for Dinner in November 2023 Saturday once again found Esther’s Kitchen firing on all cylinders, the frequently-changing menu expanded to match a more sizable space located just around the corner from James Trees’ revolutionary original address. Now serving Las Vegas for over 5 years, every available superlative already used to describe James Trees’ Restaurant that revitalized the Art’s District, it was with a packed house that six guests sat in a secluded corner with Baker Dylan Jobsz’s city-best Sourdough starting things off. Seasonal and rustic in a good way, exacting standards and impeccable service forever part of Esther’s appeal, it was with a focus on new items that two Sourdough Pizzas emerged from a wood-burning oven hot-n-bubbly, a well-developed cornicione proud to surround Confit Duck with Cherries as well as the more classic combination of Mortadella and Pistachios. Modifying Gnocco Frito for early Spring, light Dough fried and filled with airy Chicken Liver, one would be hard-pressed to name a dish with more umami than Mussels baked beneath Calabrian Sausage though “Vitello Tonato” upgraded by Sweetbreads and Salted Zucchini gives it a try. Pasta-centric as always, classics still present but this day’s focus on items such as Radiatore with Roman-style Tripe and Mint, suffice it to say that there are no wrong options whether its Tagliatelle Ribbons with Clams or hand-formed Beet Pansotti with Goat Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Spicing things up with Pasta alla Zucca amidst housemade Pork Sausage, though fans of more mild Swine should consider an immaculate Chop served alongside Beans, Agnolotti packs a ton of flavor thanks to Gorgonzola mellowed by Pears while Carrot Risotto continues the kitchen’s strong showing with Vegan and Vegetarian dishes. A lot of Food for not a lot of cash, all of it rooted in technique but never compromising flavor for looks, Dessert consisted of Esther’s forever refining Butterscotch Budino plus a bitter Chocolate Tart, though the real stunner proved to be an all-new Pavolva giving Tiramisu a face-lift by way of varying textures.

Got a tip to try this place out. And it was great. Food, atmosphere, arts district is cool. Great service, excellent pasta. Sourdough is great. Go off strip and check out the up and coming arts district. And eat here. It’s good.

The steak was amazing! The sauces and topping s for the bread were definitely something everyone should try. Will be back next time I’m in Vegas, highly recommend

I cannot say enough about how amazing this restaurant and staff were during our visit. My husband and I went for brunch to celebrate the one year anniversary of my Father's passing. We both got a bit choked up and we were having a moment when our waiter happened to come over. Long story short, he brought us over dessert and the manager came over with a toast for my Father. There aren't too many places like this left, where the staff truly goes out of their way to make guests feel understood and special. Not only that but the food was amazing (the duck eggs benedict and eggs in purgatory)! The staff all had smiles on their faces and they were all so welcoming. Truly a fabulous experience and we wouldhighly recommend.

The food was delicious. Homemade fresh sourdough bread with a blue cheese butter, truffle pasta with lobster, a pillow type pasta with braised oxtail and a chocolate amaretto crepe cake for dessert all were fantastic. Our server was attentive and helpful. Located in the Arts district, Esther's has a laid back vibe with sophisticated food and drink offerings. Will definitely be back and reccomend to family and friends visiting Vegas.

It's really a great spot, with great food in an up and coming area. We've been several times and make it a point to go there when we're in Vegas. There aren't many places that are worth visiting in Vegas, but this is one of them. It's an understatement to say their breads and spreads are amazing - you can make a meal on that alone, but all their food is really good, atmosphere is really good, drinks are creative and well done, and everyone is always super friendly and helpful

Great food and great service. Christian the server was off the chain good. Helpful and personable. Would definitely for back. The sourdough bread was very special

We found that food was good and well prepared overall . We noticed, however that portion sizes varied greatly and were uneven between dishes. More disappointing was the quality of service: it was dismal. Our server behaved like he wanted to be somewhere else and could not care about us. Furthermore, the check-in staff was very rude and did not want to even consider a modification of our reservation to accomodate us in a timely fashion (daughter as additional guest). Extremely disappointing experience especially given the prices charged. This restaurant which has been hyperhyped is to be avoided by one and all

My third visits to Esther’s kitchen did not disappoint. The food is exceptional and is a must eat destination on any Vegas trip. The sourdough bread with a few dips alone is worth the trip. You’ll want to make a return trip just for a slice of the bread. Pastas are to die for and I believe change seasonally. It’s not too expensive and the wine and cocktail list is a welcome change in a sea of $25+ cocktails. For $8 you can buy the kitchen a round of beers too. They will appreciate it. The service here is top notch. Jackie from Queens and Caroline from Maryland make your meal memorable, comfortable, and will gladly assist whatever you need. They are wonderful servers that exemplify hospitality so please request them if you come. Also make sure you book in advance. Esther’s is super popular and prime spots go far ahead of time.

I probably shouldn’t post this because this place is like a Diamond in the Rough. Went to Esther’s. Reservations required. Greeted by lively hostesses and wait staff. What can I say but bread is beyond the best. Salads, pasta and pizza. Yum. Yum yum. On a scale of ten, off the charts. At this point, only one of reasons I would go back to Vegas.

Recommended by TA, it was a bit off the strip , but we knew that before we went, stunning food at a fraction of the price to other Strip restaurants. Proper home cooked food enjoyed by plenty of locals. Only advise given is if you eat late like us, then getting a cab back to the strip could be an issue.

Excellent from A to Z!! The service (Adam) was really great. And the food.... wow! We had 3 different pasta, the one with the crab was the best my husband ever tasted. Cocktails were tasty. The fresh backed bread was a dream... the chocolate layered cake was nice. Highly recommended!!!

Business dinner for 20 people was easy to book, select pre- fix and just show up! The food was lovely- delicious and appealing presentations. We had special dietary needs in the group- the needs were addressed without a glitch.. Everyone loved the venue, food , wine, server and the dessert was a hit!

Cited by tour guides, this restaurant / pizzeria we found worthy of representing Italian cuisine. Both pizza and pasta are well made with generous portions and flavors that are well reminiscent of dear Italy. Prices are lower than in the centre. We recommend booking to avoid long waits. The only drawback: not all staff are courteous and attentive to customers.

Located off the strip, this is a gem of a restaurant. They offer seasonal drink options as well as vast array of quality pasta dishes. The sour dough bread with anchovy butter is a must. Pork, chicken, fish, lamb, and steak, all great main dishes as well. This is a great place to have a great time

Lovely restaurant, great staff who engaged on great conversation about football, can’t remember the servers name, but he was really nice, and an asset to the restaurant. Food was lovely, we had meatballs and spaghetti and a pizza. We left in a food coma! 😂

A friend and I dined there on the 22 of February and it was wonderful. Decided to return the next night, a mistake. The fish I ordered was a bit off, took one bite and immediately recognized something was off. Within minutes my stomach was in turmoil and I won’t share the resulting misery of the remainder of the evening. My guest finished off my meal and a bit later began to experience the same results. Needless to say we are both suffering the consequences and our morning has been “memorable” and fortunately our hotel room has two bathrooms. The manager was very attentive and apologetic but assured me the fish was fresh. The charge for the fish was removed but nothing else that I ordered had been, since I was unable or drink anything else, I thought it was a bit insulting. They obviously have a loyal following, but alas I will net be returning.

A wonderful family restaurant away from the typical Glitz and hustle of Vegas. Pastas and bread made in house. Four in our party and all four entrees were first rate. Knowledgeable and friendly server. Highly recommend this restaurant. Desert, order the butterscotch budino! I would most definitely return.

We really enjoyed eating. Located in arts district area it is close to local breweries and bars. Be sure to make a reservation as this is not a large restaurant. The bread and spreads were something different and very good. We all had different pasta dishes and the spinach rosotto with no complaints. Pasta is fresh and you can see the hustle and bustle of the kitchen at work.

This beautiful restaurant is located right at the edge of the arts district in Las Vegas, making it a perfect way to start a nice Saturday exploring a really cool part of the city off of the Strip. My husband and I enjoyed brunch here during our Vegas vacation. We made a reservation through their website and were seated almost immediately. We ordered the tomato and ricotta toast to share first, and I seriously took one bite and died of pure joy. The basil ricotta alone is just the dreamiest, creamiest work of art, and I miss it already. I ordered the spaghetti pomodoro as my entree, and the server asked if I wanted a side of meatballs. I'd heard good things about the meatballs in particular, so I happily said yes. First of all, the meatballs are worth writing home about. I received 3-4 meatballs (I honestly don't remember how many now) in a little pan with coating of marinara sauce. They were tender and moist and so beautifully flavorful. The spaghetti was delicious and creamy. When I say it melted in my mouth, I don't mean that it was overcooked. It just had the right amount of sauciness and tenderness to feel melty in the best possible way. I don't always love spaghetti noodles, but this was clearly fresh pasta, and I absolutely loved it. I wish I could go back to this restaurant to keep trying things, because there were multiple items on the menu that I was curious about, and I only got to experience brunch. I hope I can get there on a return trip someday.

Esther’s Kitchen has moved to larger location and it’s food is still amazing The service is on point but but I feel they can’t accommodate the number of people that are there. Simply put waiting for your meal for over an hour is just unacceptable especially when you’ve ordered two pastas and meatballs We were kept entertained with alcohol, etc. however, the overall wait exceeded expectations. Another family sitting to our left cancelled their entire order because of the wait and ended up eating nothing but bread and drinking. Esther’s you need to do better and I know you can do better, given our 6 year patronage.

We went here for dinner on June 30th. I should note that it was VERY hot outside but the restaurant was very comfortable. I rarely post online reviews, only in exceptional situations. Our experience was superb from beginning to end. Our server Alexandra was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu and helped to recommend some vegetarian choices for us. We had the risotto and rigatoni and both were great - nice portion sizes and very pleasant. The atmosphere was modern yet cozy. Everyone was friendly and professional.

A very nice looking restaurant located in the Art district. We sat at the bar and the service was great. We stated with a pizza and followed up with two pasta dishes. The pizza was superb as were the egg tagliatelle and the Mafalda. Highly recommend this restaurant.

unique decor and vibe, very busy so make a reservation. food amazing, we ordered the pea tortellini and spaghetti! so good sour dough with burrata spread… yummy Bridgerton

Been wanting to try this place FOREVER and finally had the opportunity to. So glad we stuck with Esther’s bc there are so many other Italian dining options. This establishment is off the strip, which automatically makes it a plus. As much as I love the Vegas strip, restaurants can be overpriced for mediocre food. Esther’s is the total opposite. Quality food, tasty food, and NOT overpriced. I forgot our server’s name, but he was awesome. He was attentive and gave us good recommendations. FYI – entrees here are pretty darn big. I don’t think it’s meant to be had family style, but you certainly can. There is a bread service you must get. It’s basically huge loaves of bread, with a few different spreads. We did the eight-spread option which was so yummy; we got a taste of everything. The food is good, the craft cocktails were good. I would definitely recommend this place. Didn’t take note of the parking but we took an uber and it was a short 10-min/$10 uber from the strip. Looking forward to going back again someday.

Wow! Great food and service and didn’t have to break the bank. Much better pricing than on the Strip and supremely tasty food! This place is truly a hidden gem for tourists, but apparently not for the locals judging by how busy it was for lunch on a Thursday! We will definitely be back next time we are in Vegas!

Had lunch today. Excellent salad and pizza. Charming atmosphere and outstanding service and attention to detail. Will definitely come back!

Skip the mega name chef strip restaurants and eat here instead. We didn’t have reservations but arrived just in time, the wait was brief. The waiter was knowledgeable and explained the menu with patience. We took him up on his recommendations and were not disappointed. We ate family style and shared the charcuterie board, and 3 entrees. Words can not capture how delicious everything we ate was. This is on my list to visit when we return.

I came here as a tourist traveling 18 hours total disrespect from staff of the restaurant attitude after waiting for 3 hours, speaking disrespect and with attitude, no manners. Guys Better go to strip, better options and more tasty. For village and not tasty food, not worth the trip with Uber and prices are high. Good not tasty. Small, smelly and dirty food.

My husband and I enjoyed a fantastic dining experience at this quaint Italian farm-to-table restaurant. The signature sourdough bread is served out-of-the-oven hot. They offer a variety of toppings, we loved the olive oil and saba dipping. Food is fresh and inventive and delicious! The black kale salad is perfect to share. The wine list is interesting with a fair selection of wines by the glass at reasonable prices. This is a hip spot with a robust bar scene-be certain to make reservations.

Really enjoyed this place. The reviews are not overstated. Excellent homemade sourdough bread from their in-house bakery started things off, and we all really enjoyed our entrees. The Osso Buco is not to be missed.

Super slow service from the waitress. Kitchen was very slow as well. When we complained to the manager all she did is tell us that our order went in 20 minutes ago, and make excuses. No apology just excuses as to why we were wrong about complaining. Restaurant needs a manager that can fix issues with the kitchen and make sure the staff is doing their job.

I had a lovely lunch at the Esther's Kitchen with my great friend Ling , only 5 mins drive from my hotel , we both agree limited time I am in Vegas , forget the hustle and bustle buffet , if you been to one buffet in Vegas , you been to them all , Ling choose the Esther's for lunch , surprised not too busy , decor vert bright modern relaxing atmosphere , menu nicely set up , not expensive at all , we both share the Caesar Salad and the Chicken Parm also the Meatball Sub , wow , lot of food to share , good quality , friendly services and we both love the lunch and seeing each other , so if you looking to get away from the strip , for a different restaurants to try out for lunch , Esther's is the place , it is a 100% Italian restaurant located in the art district down town .

There are so many food options in Vegas, that sometimes the smaller, word-of-mouth places get lost in the shuffle. Not this one. OTHER people sure knew about the place, as it was packed. Atmosphere was noisy and boisterous, but without being loud and irritating. Somehow the expansive place still stayed cozy-feeling. We went for lunch during our Vegas trip, meeting up with two locals who recommended the place. Our server was Laure, and she couldn't have been more on point. Personable, energetic, efficient. We really enjoyed her being our server. Wife had the Arrogant One drink, and it was very tasty without being too sweet. First of all. The bread. We chose the burrata type. Wow. It came with butter and soft cheese and it was about as tasty of bread as I personally remember ever having. Wife and I split the Italian salad and the Cacio e Pepe. The salad had a lot going on and was delicious, and the Cacio was solid. The folks we were with got the Radiatore pasta, which apparently is a go-to, and I liked my one taste of it. Let's talk about the pizza. I have a pizza problem. Although it is my favorite food, I have a hard time differentiating from "good" and "bad" pizza. It is all good to me. But, I DID notice the difference with this pizza. They got the margherita pizza, and I was lucky enough for them to get full with two slices left. Probably my favorite part of the meal, outside of the bread. It was a push. Sorry my pics don't include the pizza and other pasta, but I didn't want to weird out the two folks we met for lunch. I highly recommend checking out this place, it looked like a cool neighborhood to wander around after your meal, and I might see you there upon my next trip to Vegas to try some other stuff...

The food and service was excellent. I highly suggest making reservations. I made reservations for a Thursday at 2:30 thinking they wouldn’t be busy, but they were very busy. While on my way to the restaurant they called me to confirm that I was still coming. Someone without a reservation wanted to dine and was hoping for a cancellation. Don’t skip the sourdough bread!!!

The service was inviting kind and took the time to answer all of our silly questions The homemade pasta was incredible and the sourdough bread was amazing

Holy cow!! Wow! This place was delicious. I went for brunch and ended up trying the chicken parm. It, along with the potatoes were out of this world. The service was quick and friendly. Jess, the bartender was helpful, kind, and enjoyable to talk to. I highly recommend Esther’s!

The GM sat us down (sorry, I don't remember your name) and explained the menu and how they prepare the bread and pastas. Our server was the delightful Adam and he made sure we were well lubed with drinks and fed until we burst. Mary had the Loaded Question cocktail, and I had the Song of the Sister. I think the S of t S was the better choice. My lady Mary had Mary's Chicken was pleased with the moistness of the breast and the butter brown forotto. I had the PASTA AL ZUCCA and was in heaven. Perfectly cooked and delicious. Wasn't able to finish it because of the loaf of sourdough bread we had. Overall the highlight of our trip to LAS. Skipped Smith and Wollensky to had dinner here.

I had the little gem salad and it was large enough to be a full meal. I sat at the bar, and unfortunately, the service wasn't great. Both myself and my friend wanted to order another drink, but the bartenders attention was difficult to get. At one point we finally got his attention, after we were finished with our meals, and just got the check.

The food was so so! The service was terrible!! Our waitress was not a server. She walked around the restaurant calling everyone beautiful people, but never actually served anyone. It took 45 minutes to order and an additional hour to get our food. She insisted on reading us the menu. We aren’t preschool children, we can indeed read. . . The bread was delicious, but the food was just ok. Definitely not $160 good. Go someplace else! This restaurant isn’t great!!

The hype is real. We dined here on a Tuesday night and the place was packed. Thankfully we had a reservation and I recommend making one no matter the day. The area is a fabulous part of the Arts District and we went for drinks before dinner at one of the bars nearby. Start your dinner with the sourdough bread - seriously. One of the best loaves of bread I’ve ever eaten. It’s amazing just with the butter and nothing else. We both had the spaghetti and it was delicious - I couldn’t finish mine, so my husband ate the rest when he was done his, haha. I took the server’s recommendation for wine and it was spot on. We bought the kitchen a round of beers that’s on the menu - their reaction is fun. Prices were reasonable and it was the best meal we’ve had in Vegas. We’ll definitely go again next time we’re in town!

Esters kitchen never disappoints. Cauliflower appetizer is my favorite - sometimes a tad too salty and can be a little inconsistent on the salt. Other than that - I’ve not had a bad meal. Go for the food and drink!! The design of the new place is too small over the place for me. Seems like 2 people couldn’t decide so split the ideas. Probably next upgrade - get a designer in there….

Great spot - we liked it so much we went back for brunch. Great atmosphere, good service and drinks were really good too. And the food was delicious - everything we had was excellent. Make sure you have some of the bread - it's home made and amazing, just a lot, so careful when you order - you can always get more later!

All I can say is... WOW. We had a great experience at Esther's Kitchen. We sat at the bar people watching through the huge windows and Tiffany was our bartender. She was amazing! Friendly, attentive and just so nice Great service, excellent craft cocktails (best mai tai and espresso martini I ever had!) And the food was to die for. Hubby got the cheesy eggs on toast and I had the meatball hoagie. The food took quite some time to come out but it was absolutely worth the wait. Melt in your mouth and so full of flavor. So much to do along main street too! Can't wait to go back!

Our dinner was excellent! The restaurant is lively, beautifully designed and serves innovative and delicious locally sourced food. Service is outstanding.

I knew about Esther’s before arriving in Vegas because I follow the James Beard awards. I was surprised and thrilled that we were able to get a rez for lunch! We had the kale salad: the little gem Caesar; Marguerite pizza; and pomodoro spaghetti. Every single item was prepared expertly and was so delicious. We also had a bottle of The Ned. Our server was the best. She was exactly the right amount of attention and interaction. So happy I got to eat here! Totally recommend Esther’s.

Excellent food and service. The sourdough bread and the spreads are to die for. Pasta homemade and cooked perfect al dente. We had a waitress from France. Excellent service and recommendations from her.

I started with the half loaf of sourdough bread with good butter and pesto ricotta spread. It was so good. The menu actually says "good butter" and it was. I had trouble deciding if I wanted pesto ricotta or the butter so I alternated. Not able to eat that much bread due to my circumstances but I'm willing to spend the money for something that good. I had the carbonara. Yum. The guanciale was amazing. My friend had beef cheek melt. She was so excited. Said she hadn't seen it on a menu in 20 years. It was everything that she wanted in a sandwich. I still haven't tried the crepe cake which I so badly want and I'm not ever likely to get there because I'm going to start with the warm bread and butter every time. I appreciate that I can "buy a round for the kitchen." I've done it on both my visits and don't understand why more people aren't doing it for the folks who are preparing such good food. Be sure to make a reservation. People were lined up down the street when we went for lunch.

This was our second time coming to EK. The experience was just as good as the first time. Their homemade pasta is so good. The homemade sourdough breath is so crusty and good. It’s fun to pick from the flavored butters they have to go with it. The service was great. We ate here last year on our wedding anniversary and I couldn’t wait to come back. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Amazing dinner in the arts district near Fremont St. Everything was handmade from the sourdough bread with different compound butters, to the pizza, to our pasta / main courses. Everything was excellent. The affogato after dinner with pistachio ice cream was ridiculous also!

We looked thoroughly at restaurants in the Vegas area before settling on Esther's, and we were genuinely excited to go; however, it ended up being loud, overrated and pretentious. Our cocktails were pretty good, the bread and its sides were nice, but the entrees were just so-so and one of my party sent her entree (carbonara) back because it was too salty. I had the same entree, and I agreed it was very salty (even for someone like myself who likes a lot of salt). However, my biggest area of concern would be the service. They didn't call our names to be seated after we arrived early, and I'm pretty sure they were about to give our table away when my husband swooped in and saved the day. Our server seemed nice enough to begin, but as the night progressed, we were left on our own a good bit and waited on water on several occasions. When my sister said her carbonara was overly salted, our server then explained to us that is how carbonara is. Not that I live by the adage that the customer is always right, but my sister has eaten carbonara all over the world and doesn't need to be told that her reflections on her meal are wrong. Overall the food was okay, but the atmosphere and service were not, especially for the price of the meal. If we are ever in Vegas again, we wouldn't go back.

Great buzzy atmosphere, super friendly staff and very tasty food at reasonable prices, what's not to like? I tried the cauliflower Romana and the black kale salad. Slightly too much for just one person but delicious. The sourdough and pizzas looked great, probably a fantastic restaurant for groups.

Esther's kitchen is the perfect combination of a comfortable atmosphere, friendly yet professional staff, and extremely well-executed, well-thought-out Italian comfort food at a quality-to-price ratio which - in this town - is not just difficult to match, but difficult to comprehend. We didn't know about the TV exposure this place has had. We were downtown and asked some folks we know who live in Vegas where we should eat. "If you can get in, my 1st choice would be Esther's Kitchen," was the consensus. I checked OpenTable. No timeslots were available. "What is your 2nd choice, if we can't get a reservation at Esther's?" I asked. "My second choice would be to go to Eshter's early and see if you can get a table anyway." So that's what we did, arriving just as they opened for dinner service at 5 pm. There were no tables, but there were spaces available at the bar, which we gladly took. I'm so glad we did. I might choose to sit at the bar even if I could get a table, because, as some folks have mentioned, the conversation in the dining room can get a bit loud, and the bar is very spacious. The bartender, whose name I wish I could remember so I could give a shout-out, but who had a great handlebar mustache, was super-friendly. letting us know which vegetarian appetizers most customers like and which dishes could be made vegetarian. He also recommended the cheaper of the two house reds and it was amazing. We're already looking for more bottles at home. We'd had a pretty big lunch, so we ordered the Beet Conserva, the Cauliflower Alla Romana, and the Mushroom Tagliatelle. We figured if we were still hungry, we'd order a second entree. As soon as the half-loaf of housemade sourdough with housemade butter came out, we knew a second entree was probably not happening. In a town where you pay for everything, Eshter's starts you out with a hunk of fresh, warm bread the size of a football. I really liked the beet conserva. My wife didn't care for it, but it was made with calabrian chilis that gave it a horseradishy heat I thought was perfect slathered on the sourdough with some of that uber-creamy fresh butter. But if we were split on the beets, neither of us had doubts about the Cauliflower alla Romana. Seriously, if you go to Esther's you have to order this. This is a simple dish, but one that is all about technique and execution. Get the heat or timing or dredge wrong and you can eaily end up with an overly greasy, mushy mess or something nearly indistinguishable from raw crudite. Few chefs get it right. Fewer get it right to the extent that Esther's does. The moment you bite through the thin, light, crisp, garlicky crust into a perfectly tender floret, you know you are eating something you couldn't make yourself and that you are unlikely to get anywhere else. After making your way through a couple of plain pieces, you start to drag the next ones through the sauce of jalapenos, garlic and capers and you just kind of forget where you are, switching back and forth between the cauliflower and that sourdough, which you of course haven't finished yet. The mushroom tagliatelle was also wonderful, better than I expected. I knew they made the pasta fresh in-house, and after that sourdough, I expected it to be good, but I figured it would be a well-executed noodle intermixed with some nice chantrelles. What I didn't expect was that they would mix mushrooms into the noodles themselves and cook the chantrelles in a perfect brown butter sauce. It was like more mushroom flavor had been packed into a single space than should have been possible, like dwarf star flavor. In some ways, I wish we had been hungrier. I was eager to try the caccio di pepe, figuring if they could do that kind of magic with a simple alla Romana cauliflower, the classic four-ingredient pasta dish would be worth trying. The deserts were enticing as well, especially that caramel budino. But full we were and so had to leave those for our next visit. So I've seen both positive and negative reviews here, but for my money and time, you cannot do better than this expertly homey spot.

Hopping place in the Arts District for quality Italian food! We had the sourdough bread with 3 spreads, the Italian chopped salad and two pasta dishes. Everything was cooked to perfection and the service was excellent. I highly recommend!

We went to Esther’s Kitchen a few years ago when they were still in their original, smaller, space and it was great. Not the best, but good enough to go back. So we did. We were there with friends the other night and it was horrible. But let’s be clear about this. The service from our waitress (Betzy) was good. The salad we ordered was huge and was enough for the entire table (even though we didn’t know it at the time). The charcuterie board was good. Lots of food and options. Of course, everyone is charging for bread these days and they were no exception. However, they do give you a nice sized portion of bread, so we didn’t feel cheated. But the problem was with the main course. Each of the 4 dishes were cold. The farro under the fish – cold, the steak – cold, the Braised Beef Cheek – lukewarm, the spiced pumpkin polenta – ICE cold and the Branzino – barely warm. When someone came over and asked how things were, we said the flavors are good, but the food is cold. He made no comment but just walked away. At the end of the meal we did not order dessert. We got the check and paid it. When Betzy came back to see what was up I told her that while her service was great, the fact that the management chose not to do anything about our complaint was unacceptable. We were charged for two corkage’s ($25 each). I am so disappointed that I told Betzy they should have given us a free dessert or at least taken off one of the corkage fees (they would have lost nothing by doing that). She told me that the manager said they would have comped our dessert if we had ordered it. We didn’t know this. We can’t read their minds and why would we spend more money after this. They should have just brought something over. They have lost my business forever. With so many other choices of restaurants, they do not know how to make the customer happy. We could have sent back each dish to have them make again – now that would have been a loss to them – but we didn’t. Managers – read the room. You failed.