A popular Latin fusion restaurant is set to move to Las Vegas’ Chinatown this year.
Aroma Latin American Cocina, founded by James Beard finalist Chef Steve Kestler, is relocating from 2877 N. Green Valley Parkway in Henderson to 3355 Spring Mountain Rd.
“The other location was in an area that is more for family-oriented restaurants and big chains. We are more for the adventurous foodie. It’s not your typical, everyday Mexican or Latin American restaurant,” Chef Kestler told What Now Las Vegas.
Chef Kestler called Chinatown the ideal spot, describing it as a “melting pot for food.” The neighborhood offers a diverse mix, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Argentinian, Colombian and Mexican cuisines.
“We often use a lot of Asian ingredients in our Latin American food. We’re very influenced by Asian food,” he said. “Our enchiladas–we make the classic chicken tinga, but we make it with gochujang chiles, Korean pickles, and serve it with Kimchi rice. We also do Lomo Saltado, which is a mix of Japanese and Peruvian food. Instead of plain white rice, we serve it with sushi rice and furikake on top.”
The current menu will remain the same during the relocation; however, Chef Kestler plans to introduce a lunch program and add 10 new dinner dishes reflecting his philosophy of cooking more upscale food.
“We plan on having lunch and brunch very casual, very affordable, very friendly. We want to do things that are delicious, but that we can serve in a fast manner to bring people in, and then they can go back to work,” he said. “For dinner, we want to keep it more upscale and personal.”
The interior will reflect a Latin American restaurant, with colors, brick accents and artifacts representing the culture.
The restaurant will also have an outdoor patio. It won’t be ready when they reopen, as it is still in the works, but it will not be a typical patio.
“There’s a lot of restaurants with patios. Everybody puts tables, chairs, and serves the same food–just an extension of the inside of the restaurant. We’re trying to do something really cool. We might do an outdoor grill, grilling a lot of Argentinian cuts. We might do late-night bites,” Chef Kestler said.
Chef Kestler is looking forward to the reopening, which also marks a homecoming. He began his chef career in Chinatown eight years ago.
“I was working here as a chef and now this place is mine. It’s just a good feeling,” he said.
Aroma Latin American Cocina plans to reopen by the end of March or early April, pending final permits. Visit the restaurant’s website and follow along on Instagram for updates.
