Bread & Butter offers “bread cuisine” in Henderson

Restaurateur Chris Herrin always knew he could build an entire menu on favorite, and essential, foods such as bread and butter. So that's what he did.

Bread & Butter opened Oct. 1, 2011, at 10940 S. Eastern Ave., offering pastries, waffles, soups, salads, sandwiches and, of course, different types of bread and butter.

"The whole concept is bread cuisine, if there is such a thing," Herrin said.

Herrin moved to Las Vegas 12 years ago to work in the kitchen at Le Cirque at the Bellagio.

After that, he worked three years under chef Andre Roshat at Aliz é inside the Palms as a pastry chef.

"It was a cool experience as a first pastry chef job," Herrin said.

For the past seven years, Herrin was at Bouchon inside T he Venetian.

"It was the next step up the ladder," Herrin said.

Herrin said the natural progression for any pastry chef is to open his own place.

Herrin described Bread & Butter as a recession restaurant.

"We couldn't have done this if it weren't a recession," Herrin said.

Herrin said he was able to do a lot with a little, including sign a lease for less than he expected.

What little Herrin had, he invested in the establishment, hoping it would turn out well.

"When you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, there is only one place to go," Herrin said.

Herrin said he is cost- conscious and tries to keep prices reasonable for customers.

Herrin isn't afraid to think outside the box, coming up with gimmicks and promotions to make Bread & Butter seem different than any other place people might go to.

Herrin has had M ustache Monday, which took place in November and offered a discount to people with mustaches , or Mommy Days, when mothers receive a free pastry.

When it first opened, people could come into Bread & Butter and exchange plates for a free pastry.

On Fridays, Herrin has chosen Facebook friends who can receive a dozen free cookies. Customers might even be surprised when they order one item and, randomly, get something free.

One thing Herrin is trying to utilize is social media such as Facebook and Twitter. When people "like" the restaurant on Facebook, they can get updates on deals and fresh-baked items.

Herrin wants Bread & Butter to be a community space.

"I want it to be the place people come to hang out," he said.

To make it more inviting, Herrin invites people to leave a coffee cup so when they come back, they have the comfort of drinking out of their own mug. A wall in the back is filled with about 13 coffee cups, all with a business card next to it to signify the owner. People also leave their favorite magazines.

"Our regulars can come in, grab their mug and some coffee or hot chocolate and go from there," Herrin said.

Herrin believes that community feel is created through transparency and great customer service.

"We have an open kitchen so you can see what's going on in the back," Herrin said. "Our employees try to be as friendly and inviting as possible."

The restaurant is for the employees as much as it is for the customers.

His staff of 12 full-time and part-time employees is invested in the store, Herrin said. He is trying to find ways to make his employees part owners in Bread & Butter.

"We are still working out how to do that legally," Herrin said.

Scott Wilbas, who is learning the ins and outs of being a pastry chef, jumped at the opportunity to work with Herrin.

"I will follow him wherever he will go," Wilbas said. "Not too many people in this world that are like him."

Wilbas, who started in December, has experience in everything from Italian food to Spanish tapas. This is his first experience working with pastries.

"I have learned a lot," Wilbas said. "I didn't know anything about making bagels when I started."

Now, when people come in and see the line of cupcakes, bagels and breads, there is a good chance that Wilbas, with Herrin as his coach, created those treats.

Wilbas said that in the morning, he spends time learning from Herrin. In the afternoon for lunch crowds, he begins cooking and creating.

Herrin said he wants to keep Bread & Butter one of a kind, fighting the temptation of franchising in other locations.

"That's what we are fighting against," Herrin said referring to other corporations. "There are large corporations and small businesses. Then there is us. We want to stay in this shopping center. Having this (as the only location) makes it kind of special."

Bread & Butter is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 675-3300 or visit breadandbutterlv.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.