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The food is right, the décor is right, the dinner-to-go concept is right, the location is almost right…Jimmy's Café located in Summerlin in a small mixed-use mall (medical offices and retail stores) can not be seen very well from busy W. Lake Mead Blvd. Other than the business names over each door, there is no signage on Lake Mead listing the names of the businesses in the mall except for a small hand-painted sign pointing to Jimmy's Café.
However, judging from the amount of walk-in and telephone business this columnist observed between the after lunch and before dinner hours, things are going to get better for my congenial hosts and owners Jimmy and Michaelina Stanfill. Word of mouth and conventional advertising does and will help, I'm sure.
When I first walked into Jimmy's I thought of a northern California wine country café—a good start. The place was clean, well lit and cheerful, with seating for about 100 dinners.
The chalkboard menu was colorful, classy and informative, however a little difficult to read for all but the people that would stand in front of the order counter. The well-balanced fare ranged from breakfast—egg dishes, fruit, muffins and bagels, etc. and of course coffee-, tea- and espresso-based drinks to lunch—three types of soup, several salads and sandwiches. I had Southwest Shrimp Salad with Jimmy's own Southwest Seasoning (different and delicious) tossed with Smoked Chipotle Raspberry Vinaigrette, Caramelized Vidalia Onions (great touch!) and Spiced Pecans. WOW! In addition, Jimmy served me a sample of four other salads, hot and cold. Now, I'm not normally a fan of Roquefort or Blue cheese nor coleslaw for that matter, but the combination of Jimmy's Maytag Blue Cheese over coleslaw was interesting to say the least…I finished the whole thing! All the sample salads where finishable (is there such a word? There is now!) however neither my stomach nor manners would allow me to finish them all…
The sandwich offerings were vast, different and from the description on the menu, delicious sounding. All were made to include a variety of cheeses and breads; Jimmy's breads come from Café Giorgio, (mm mmm good…) all other baked goods are made on the premises. A nice touch was, that many of the salad and sandwich items were named after some of the upscale Summerlin communities.
Also offered are fresh daily pasta (my second visit choice) and grilled pizzas, again with all the different cheese choices available on most. There is also a kids menu, but the thing that will make Jimmy's "go" is the "Dinner To-Go," an idea created by Jimmy that I think will go over "Big Time" because it is innovative and not just your normal take- or carry-out fare.
Jimmy's offers a variety of gourmet dinners for the too-busy-to-cook at-home or the time-restricted working couple. Each week—Monday through Saturday—4 to 6 main courses, with soup or salad, starches, vegetables and dessert are offered daily. All you do is, phone in, pick up and pop in your oven for a few minutes and PRESTO! Again, I declare "What a concept!" I took home two complete dinners, Ahi Tuna for me and meat loaf for my wife. She dimmed the lights and I poured the wine. Both meals, from soup to dessert were great…
Speaking of wine, Jimmy's Café beer and wine license should be framed and displayed any time soon. My wife and I can't wait. That means, Sunday Champagne Brunch is coming soon also…
Besides breakfast and lunch at Jimmy's or "dinner at your place" catering and special event meals are available. You may also order online.
A gourmet market place that includes specialty teas, flavored oils, vinegars, fresh breads and gift items is also on premises.
Jimmy's Café has been a reality for aspiring chef Jimmy and his wife for only three months or so, but, with his talent and with the help of his Cordon Bleu grads in the kitchen, the next three months or three years or three decades (they're young enough) should prove to make Jimmy's Café at Summerlin "a must go to" culinary landmark.
Jimmy's Café
8427 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas NV 89128
702 869 FOOD (3663)
www.jimmyscafelv.com
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