European chef opens Cafe Nic
by Patti Babcock
Superbly prepared cuisine served in a friendly atmo-
sphere with relaxing background music and modest prices
provide a"fine dining"experience at Cafe Nicole, Pahrump's
newest restaurant. Chef/owner, Michel Mal, and his two
assistant chefs prepare Northern Italian dishes to delight the
most discriminating diner.
The Chef resigned from Piero' s, a five star restaurant in
Las Vegas, to open his own establishment in Pahrump.
Originally from the countryside near Brussels, Belgium,
Mal was attracted by the small town amenities, friendly
people, clean air and lack of congestion. He happily ex-
changed city lights for star light.
Quality food is Mal's first priority. He makes his sauces
from fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic. Twice a week, fresh
fish is flown in from San Diego. Homemade pasta tops the
11 "enu. Homemade breads are notable for texture and taste.
?' astries and desserts, prepared in the Care Nicole kitchen,
are exquisite and the perfect finale for a splendid meal.
Pahrumpians, guests and tourists can delight in a dining
experience only a first-rate chef can provide. Mal is excep-
tional because he does what
he loves and has spent most
of his life mastering his craft.
"In Europe people de-
cide very early, often by age
12, what they will do. My
parents owned a restaurant
in Brussels, and I decided I
wanted to do that," Mal said.
He attended culinary school
for four years followed by a
year of pastry and bakery " "
training. Another year was
devoted to gaining wine ex-
pertise.
By age 20, Mal owned
his own restaurant in Brus-
sels. He subsequently
worked as a chef in France,
Italy and Switzerland. Albu-
querque, New Mexico was
his first home in the United
States. There he was a partner in two re[aurants, one Italian/
German the other French/Italian. A job offer from the
Mirage lured him to Las Vegas. Mal moved from the Mirage
to the Rio and finally to Piero' s, where he was a chef for five
years.
Cafe Nicole opens a new world of dining in Pahrump.
A restaurant where the only business is preparing and
serving fine food. Centrally located on Highway 372 just
west of Highway 160, the restaurant is accessible to all areas
of the valley.
The restaurant opened Monday for dinner only during
the first week, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, August 11, Cafe
Nicole will begin full service Monday through Saturday.
Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner will be
served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Menu items will also be
available to take out. Phone 751-1188.
Mal and his two assistant chefs, Mario Pineda and
Nelson Escobar, have moved from Las Vegas to make
Pahrump their home. When asked about the future Mal says,
"I'm here to do what I like to do, serve the people. I have put
my life in this place."
SUPERB CUISINE-(L-R) Assistant Chefs Mario Pineda and Nelson Escobar with
Chef/Owner Michel Mal show a sample of fresh fish prepared at Cafe Nicole.
Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, August 7, 1997 17
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