Poker star bets on plant-based menu with Violette’s Vegan

Las Vegas is the type of city where one can find top-notch food for a discount, and restaurants cater to any type of gluttony or 24-hour craving. Yet in an area where prime rib specials dominate the billboards, many herbivores are left wondering — what about us?

Luckily for them, entrepreneur Cyndy Violette, who has been a devoted vegan for more than 20 years, saw the need for more plant-based restaurants and decided to open up her own: Violette's Vegan.

If her name rings a bell, it's because she is a professional poker player who won the World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004 and was inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in 2009.

Violette teamed up with chef Mark Rasmussen, who created the now-closed Veggie Works Restaurant in Belmar, New Jersey, and opened Violette's Vegan at 8560 W. Desert Inn Road, No. D5, in January.

Inside, the hippie-chic interior welcomes customers with its colorful walls, posters and positive messages.

It has the potential to become the perfect hangout spot for people who opt for organic and non-genetically modified grub. The menu consists of classic items, such as soups, salads, burgers, wraps and quesadillas with a twist.

Appetizers include the popular Red Rock Nachos ($12.95), which come with oven-baked blue and yellow corn tortilla chips layered with black beans, pico de gallo, melted cheddar "cheese," guacamole, vegan sour cream and salsa. It comes with enough for two people without the overwhelmingly spicy kick. The Zucchini Zen Sticks ($6.95) are served with breaded zucchini with crispy corn polenta and quinoa with a side of marina dipping sauce.

For those looking for a satisfying salad with a little more oomph, Nature Girl ($12.95) may tame those taste buds. The spring greens come with herbed baked tofu, chickpeas, cucumber, red radish, beets, sprouts, tamari-roasted almonds and sprinkled with sunflower seeds and tempeh "bacon" crumbs. It's served with vegan handcrafted dressings, but other dressings include a tangy lemon herb, chipotle lime, Asian vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette and Thousand Island.

With winter quickly approaching, Violette's offers a Red Rockin' Chili ($7.95) with two kinds of beans, vegetables, textured proteins, tomato garlic, jalapeno peppers, herbs and spices. The jalapeno adds a nice savory flavor, but if that's not enough heat, a side of Sriracha is served to give it more fire.

Sandwiches and burgers include the Shinto Steak Sandwich ($12.95), served with strips of tempeh marinated in teriyaki sauce and flame grilled over greens on whole grain ciabatta with miso-mayo dressing topped with napa cabbage, kale and bean sprouts.

The Hippie Chick Burger ($12.95) comes with a black bean, quinoa and sunflower seeds patty served with lettuce, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, hemp pesto and mayo on a multigrain bun.

The chef's creativity can be seen in the restaurant's organic entrees, such as the The Godfather ($14.95), which includes high-protein seitan (wheat gluten) and tempeh meatballs made with garlic, onion, herbs and spices in house marinara over linguini. It's served with a small salad and garlic bread.

For those looking for Southern-style comfort, A Country Classic ($14.95) entree is served with seasoned, whole grain crispy tempeh and tofu cutlets, sauteed collard greens and mashed potatoes topped with golden gravy and served with corn bread and creamy vegan butter.

A Kool Kids Menu is offered to children younger than 12 with eight different entrees, including Golden Nuggets ($5.95), crispy seitan nuggets served with carrot and/or celery sticks and agave mustard, ranch or barbecue sauce. The Happy Monkey ($5.95) comes with a peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich served with a small salad, while the No Meato Bandito! ($7.95) comes with a kid-size burrito with pinto beans, Spanish rice, vegan cheese, guacamole, salsa and a green salad.

To quench one's thirst, the restaurant offers organic iced tea ($2.95), organic fresh brewed coffee with soy or almond milk ($1.95), organic herb teas ($1.95), and fresh juices and smoothies.

The dining room is also kid-friendly: Inside there are children's books, coloring books, crayons, toys and games. Adults can also get in on the fun by browsing through vegan-related books and items for sale.

Live entertainment is featured Tuesday and Friday nights, including performances by local singer Sarah Shelton.

Another bonus to the restaurant is that they deliver through Bite Squad, GrubHub and Delivered Dish.

Restaurant hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Call 702-685-0466 or visit violettesvegan.com.