AMERICANA AT LAKESIDE VILLAGE

CHEF STEVEN BLANDINO’S AMERICANA AT LAKESIDE VILLAGE, SUMMERLIN IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR FINE DINING WITH A LAKESIDE VIEW.

By Elaine & Scott Harris

Chef Stephen Blandino, a Staten Island native, was born with a passion for cooking. His two Italian grandmothers were a considerable influence as he joined them in the kitchen at a young age, learning how to cook traditional Italian cuisine passed through generations.

Inspired, Blandino graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Right away, he spent a year on the job under famed Chef Charlie Palmer at Aureole in New York. Blandino soon moved to Las Vegas to work at the Michelin starred Aureole, where he rose from line cook to Executive Sous Chef. Then In 2003, Blandino accepted an offer from Palmer to be the Executive Chef at the Charlie Palmer Steak at the plush Four Seasons Hotel on the famed Las Vegas strip. After many years, Blandino became a celebrity chef in his own right, leaving behind the strip’s neon lights, becoming the present owner of Americana Restaurant at Lakeside Village in Desert Shores-Summerlin.

The affluent master-planned 3,351-acre residential and recreation gem of a community strategically situated around four large sparkling lakes is a desirable place to reside. The main lake, Lake Jacqueline, is the site of many private parties and community events. These amenities make this attractive destination a perfect fit for a fine dining restaurant with a lakeside view.

“Desert Shores-Summerlin was an obvious choice for me to launch my first restaurant. I relocated to this community to make Americana my passion, personally and professionally,” said Blandino. “It’s my goal to create an approachable, upscale, community-driven experience, providing a great place to mingle, dine, and lounge. The menu is driven by daily specials based on the day’s fresh catch and weekly harvest offerings that will be a staple at Americana, highlighting a tasting menu paired with unlimited wine. Americana Restaurant is dining with a blended cultural theme of modern American cuisine with varied European interpretations,” added Blandino.

Those who have dined at the Four Seasons to enjoy many favorite culinary masterpieces (from a well-balanced menu that steak and seafood lovers keep coming back for) can now find at Blandino’s Americana Restaurant. This creative chef is always looking for new and innovative cooking techniques showing his passion inspired by the icons of the industry. The name says it all, and it is effortless to see why Blandino named his restaurant Americana, with Omaha steaks, Nantucket scallops, and Hawaiian fish frequently appearing on a constantly changing menu. Americana has become a Desert Shores-Summerlin classic providing a timeless romantic dining experience in the outdoor garden alongside Lake Jacqueline when the weather is nice.

You can’t go wrong with fresh Market Select Oysters with Cocktail Sauce and Apple Mignonette for lunch. For Italian fare, there’s Aunt Joan’s Jumbo Spicy Prawn Spaghettini Pasta—a lovely dish featuring Calabrian Chili, Fresh Basil, and San Marzano Tomatoes. Enjoy a sunset over Lake Jaqueline and dive into a classic Steak Diane served tableside for a romantic experience.

In recent years, brunch has become a desirable way to spend an early afternoon dining. Americana does it right! Brunch Al Fresco with a plethora of delights like a Grilled Chicken B.L.T. on a Hawaiian Bun with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Tomato. For a more classic brunch, the Italian Eggs Benedict with Poached Egg, Prosciutto, and Bruschetta on Avocado Toast is a must. If you have a big appetite, dine like a president with the President’s Breakfast. This Bone-in Ribeye and 2 Scallops topped with ruffled Potato Puree will satisfy an immense carving. If not, add on the house-made Chocolate Banana Crème Brulé and enjoy the view and the food!