French Riviera Flair: Le Café Central Debuts in Las Vegas’s Chinatown

Le Café Central, the latest concept from the successful Le Café du Vegas family, is a charming new addition to Las Vegas’s vibrant culinary scene. Following the beloved Le Café du Val in Henderson and Le Café du Sud in Southern Highlands, this new location marks the brand’s first venture into a central Las Vegas neighborhood. Offering a delightful array of French and European-inspired dishes, from authentic pastries to handcrafted breakfast and lunch staples, Le Café Central is set to expand its culinary offerings to include weekend dinner service, bringing an enhanced dining experience to the bustling Chinatown district. Co-owned and co-operated by hospitality veterans Carmen Barbur and David Gazzano, with the support of two-time World Pastry Champion and Executive Chef Claude Escamilla, the café promises a blend of traditional European tastes and innovative culinary artistry within an elegant yet approachable setting.

Expanding the Le Café Vision: From Henderson to Chinatown

A Unique Offering for a Dynamic Neighborhood

Carmen Barbur, co-owner and co-operator of Le Café Central, explained the strategic move into Chinatown. “The success of Le Café du Val in Henderson and Le Café du Sud in Southern Highlands inspired us to bring the brand to a more centrally located audience. Chinatown offers an incredibly dynamic and diverse culinary landscape, making it the perfect setting for Le Café Central.” She highlighted how this new location differs from their existing cafés: “Unlike our other cafés, Le Café Central expands our vision by offering a weekend dinner service—set to launch in mid-May—featuring ‘amuse bar and petites plates,’ a curated selection of traditional dishes with influences from the French Riviera. The experience will remain casual and chic—not overly formal or fine dining. It’s a warm, relaxed setting where guests can unwind, enjoy live music and explore flavors without pretension.”

Culinary Excellence and Authenticity

The presence of internationally acclaimed pastry chef Claude Escamilla significantly elevates Le Café Central’s culinary offerings. Barbur noted his profound impact: “As a two-time World Pastry Champion and former pastry lead at Bellagio and ARIA, Chef Claude Escamilla’s influence strikes a balance between tradition and surprise. His extensive knowledge, combined with a modern sensibility, brings a thoughtful approach to every dish on the menu. It’s still very much our style, just with a little more finesse behind the scenes.”

The Genesis of the Le Café Brand

Discussing the initial inspiration for the Le Café brand, Barbur shared, “The Le Café brand began in 2017 with a shared vision between me and my husband, David Gazzano: to create warm, inviting spaces where people could enjoy thoughtfully prepared French and European cuisine paired with friendly, attentive service. The original concept was his to begin with, inspired by his upbringing in the South of France and our mutual love for café culture. We envisioned cozy, community-driven cafés where guests could gather over espresso and a croissant or linger longer for a comforting meal. That original spirit still drives everything we do.”

French Riviera Flavors for Weekend Evenings

The new weekend dinner service at Le Café Central, focusing on “amuse bar and petites plates,” is designed to enhance the social dining experience. “Starting in mid-May, our weekend dinner service will add an exciting, social element to the Le Café Central experience. Drawing inspiration from Gazzano’s hometown of Nice, France, the menu celebrates the bold, fresh flavors of the French Riviera,” Barbur elaborated. “Guests can enjoy traditional plates like bouillabaisse, daube Niçoise, socca, foie gras and boudin noir—all designed to be shared and paired with our curated beer, wine and cocktail selections. The setting—complete with live music—creates an intimate, relaxing ambiance that captures the charm of the Mediterranean by night.”

A Philosophy Rooted in Classic Café Culture

The brand’s culinary philosophy across all Le Café locations is deeply rooted in classic French café culture. Barbur emphasized, “Everything we do is rooted in classic French café culture. We import all of our pastries directly from France and bake them fresh every morning to ensure that authentic flavor and texture you can only get from the real thing. Beyond the pastries, our menu reflects a love for traditional French and European dishes—simple, satisfying and made fresh with care. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about honoring time-tested recipes and letting quality ingredients shine.”

The Owners’ Vision: Blending Experience and Passion

The diverse backgrounds of the co-owners are instrumental in shaping Le Café Central’s identity. “Our combined experience brings both depth and balance to Le Café Central,” Barbur stated. “My husband’s 35+ years in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and the U.S. influence the culinary standards and Mediterranean touches throughout the menu. My extensive background in luxury hospitality and retail management brings an elevated sense of service, ambiance and design to the guest experience. Together, we’ve cultivated a brand that’s both approachable and elegant—where every detail, from food to lighting, reflects our shared passion for quality and hospitality.”

Future Aspirations: Bridging Daytime and Evening Dining

Looking to the future, the Le Café du Vegas family aims to remain steadfast to its core principles. “Our long-term goal is to stay true to the principles that define our brand: authenticity, community and excellence,” said Barbur. “Le Café Central represents an evolution of our concept, introducing evening dining and a deeper culinary narrative. As Las Vegas’ culinary landscape continues to diversify and mature, we see Le Café Central as a bridge between casual daytime cafés and evening dining—offering something truly distinctive that speaks to both locals and visitors seeking a refined yet relaxed culinary experience.”