A modern take on an old-school concept—that’s how Downtown Project partner Sonny Ahuja describes his new O Face Doughnuts shop. The look is throwback suburban, and to help elevate one of America’s favorite comfort-food snacks, Ahuja enlisted the help of chef Crystal Whitford, who’s worked with the likes of Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller. “We have a real commitment to ingredients,” Ahuja says, “making the glazes from scratch, making the fillings, making seasonal jams.”
After trying five different doughnuts, I’m a believer. With reasonable price points ($1.25 for standard, $1.75-$2.25 for specialty and filled, and $3.75 for creative savory treats), an extensive coffee menu and true passion, O Face could soon be one of the top doughnut shops in Las Vegas. Here’s a taste:
Traditional “If we can’t make a great glazed doughnut, then how can people take our pizza doughnut or Fruity Pebbles doughnut seriously?” Ahuja says. Made with cake flour and a sour cream-crème fraîche glaze, it lives up to the highest expectations.
Yeast Raised Light, tall, and not too sweet—a theme you’ll find throughout O Face; nothing here is too sweet—it’s got optimum crisp exterior and soft interior.
Chocolate Yeast Raised It’s made with espresso for a little hit of bitterness to counteract the sweet. Says Whitford, “I have great coffee around (from Seattle’s Caffe Vida). I’m going to put it in as many things as I can.”
Key Lime Pie Here’s the wow factor: With house-made key lime curd on the inside and fresh whipped cream and blueberry preserves on top, it’s all about balance. The tartness is refreshingly confident in its aggression.
S’Mores It’s a chocolate raised doughnut with milk chocolate ganache inside, plus toasted marshmallow and crumbled graham cracker on top. Once you hit that ganache, you’ll experience true doughnut harmony.
O Face Doughnuts 124 S. Sixth St., 476-3223. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
