Simply Pure fits natural niche at Container Park

Sometimes diets are considered a fad; other times, they can become life-changing. Take local chef Stacey Dougan, for instance — she credits the raw vegan diet for healing her of eczema and psoriasis. It's had such a positive effect on her life that she decided to open her own restaurant to spread the healthful results of veganism.

Simply Pure opened in Downtown Container Park, 707 Fremont St., in December 2013.

"We've had such great support here," Dougan said. "We get a lot of tourists that come in, and they're usually always happy to be here. I honestly couldn't ask for a better location."

Dougan worked for more than five years as the vegan culinary artist at Wynn Las Vegas, but her roots stem from the music and entertainment industry. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, she worked as the director of artist development for Universal Music Group in Atlanta.

After investing in a friend's raw vegan restaurant and becoming a raw vegan herself, Dougan said she healed herself of eczema and psoriasis. Now she's made it her mission to introduce healthful meals and juices to all — vegan, vegetarian and omnivores alike.

Originally, the restaurant was located on the park's second floor and served only raw vegan items. Now on the first floor, it crafts freshly pressed juices and raw desserts and meals, and has added cooked vegan entrees.

Like most businesses at Container Park, walking inside Simply Pure can give one the impression that the locale is shockingly small. There are a few tables inside and a couple outside.

Dougan is usually the woman behind the counter, and she makes it a priority to greet her customers right away with a big smile.

"I only use the freshest organic ingredients for my restaurant," she said.

The menu is divided by five sections: entrees, paninis, tacos, sample platters, and sides.

The raw options include the Raw Angel Hair Zucchini Pasta ($10.95), which comes with choice of one topping: marinated mushrooms, diced tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, scallions, fresh basil, olives, avocado, vegan protein "beef" or fresh spinach. Each additional topping is $1.

There's also the popular Raw Chili Cheese Fries ($6.95 for a half order and $11.95 for full) made with seasoned jicama fries, vegan protein "beef," vegan cheddar cheese, scallions and fresh pico de gallo. Cashew cheese can be added for $1.

For those with a craving, there's Nachos Grande ($6.95 for half and $11.95 for full) with corn chips, vegan protein "beef," vegan cheddar cheese, fresh pico de gallo and sliced avocado. It contains all of the spice and meaty flavor without any actual beef.

For a little Latin kick, there's the Green Chili Enchilada ($10.95), stuffed with vegan protein "beef," sauteed peppers and onions, wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with mild green chili sauce, with vegan cheese, pico de gallo and sliced avocados served on top. It also comes with a side of mixed field greens.

If you have a hard time deciding on one item, try a sampler platter. For example, Sampler No. 1 ($13.95) has the Zucchini Pasta Trio, Nacho Grande and "Chicken" Salad Lettuce Wrap, while Sampler No. 2 ($14.95) comes with Jicama Chili Cheese Fries, a taco (wrapped in lettuce), a spring roll and dehydrated kale or corn chips.

Fresh juices ($6.99 for 16 ounces) include the High Octane with beets, carrots, cucumber and ginger; the Pure Angel with apple, carrot, ginger and cucumber; and the Sweetheart with beets, carrots, celery and apple. Desserts vary by the day.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Visit simplypurelv.com or call 702-810-5641.