Significant Other, you are cleared to land.
The restaurant, named for the agreeably inclusive term for an intimate partner, is taking shape on East Sunset Road across the street from 8L/26R and 8R/26L, the parallel east-west runways at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. An October debut is planned, according to a recent announcement.
Mike and Kristi Austin, who are each other’s significant other, are opening the restaurant, joined by restaurateur Matthew Silverman and chef Matthew Piekarski. The restaurant recently installed its exterior sign, marking a milestone in its relationship with diners, the airport corridor and the larger city.
“Seeing the Significant Other sign go up makes the opening feel real,” Mike Austin said in the announcement. “We have spent years helping build some incredible restaurants throughout Las Vegas, but this project is deeply personal. It began with Kristi and grew into a restaurant we hope becomes part of people’s everyday lives …”
On the menu
Significant Other will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, changing through the day. In the morning, the counter will offer coffee drinks, pastries and breakfast dishes. Significant Other moves into lunch with salads, house pastas, nori rolls, sourdough pizzas and an all-day signature burger backed by fries cooked in beef tallow.
Dinner arrives with creative vegetable dishes, house pastas, seafood items, wet-aged steaks and prime rib roasts, plus wines and craft cocktails.
Celano Design Studio of New York is creating the look and feel of the restaurant; Austin General Contracting leads the build. The design includes a pet-friendly terrace overlooking the airport, a private dining room and a more intimate wine room.
Origin story
Significant Other began with the Austins deciding to construct new headquarters for Austin General Contracting across from the airport. Mike Austin had built several Vegas restaurants, and he decided he wanted to create one of his own, drawing on his wife’s love of family and hospitality.
For the project, Mike Austin recruited Silverman, with whom he had worked on restaurants such as Beer Park and Alexxa’s at Paris Las Vegas. Silverman in turn brought aboard the chef, who has extensive Strip experience. The restaurant’s name and brand were developed by Vegas brand architect Jason Goldwater.
Significant Other is at 1725 E. Sunset Road, Suite 150. Visit solasvegas.com or follow @significantvegas on social media.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at [email protected]. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.