DW Bistro Bids Farewell: 15 Years of Flavor, Family, and Fierce Brunches

On April 6, 2025, Las Vegas said farewell to DW Bistro, a beloved LGBTQ+-owned culinary institution that redefined brunch, built a family of fiercely loyal regulars, and infused every meal with a signature mix of Jamaican spice, New Mexican soul, and joyful hospitality. Co-founded by Bryce Krausman and chef-partner Dalton Wilson, DW Bistro wasn't just a restaurant. It was a vibe, a sanctuary, a Sunday ritual, and a stage for bold flavors and bold personalities alike.

"We always said we weren't just in the restaurant business," Bryce reflects. "We were in the loving-on-people business."

From Williams-Sonoma to DW Bistro

To understand DW Bistro's origin story, you have to rewind a quarter-century to the Williams-Sonoma store in the Fashion Show Mall, where Bryce and Dalton met selling espresso machines. The friendship formed over cooking demos and culinary curiosity blossomed into a partnership rooted in passion and purpose. Dalton, born in Jamaica and raised in New Mexico, brought an arsenal of bold flavors: jerk seasoning, curry, New Mexican green and red chiles. Bryce, born and raised in Vegas, had the vision, marketing know-how, and deep roots in the local scene.

Their early adventures involved catering gigs for legendary Vegas icons like Sandy Pelton and Cindy DeMay. They cooked, served, sang (sometimes in sequined jackets), and laughed their way through unforgettable parties. "We catered for people who became our family," Bryce recalls. "There were monkeys on shoulders and Mary Wilson from The Supremes singing with me when I forgot the lyrics to 'White Christmas.' It was all very Fellini."

The Brunch That Launched a Dream

While traveling to cities like Seattle and San Francisco, the duo noticed something missing from Vegas: a true destination brunch. "Why do we not have a place where everyone can gather after a Madonna concert and hang out on a Sunday?" Bryce wondered. That spark ignited the concept of DW Bistro—a place with big flavor, good music, bold brunches, and a welcoming vibe that defied norms.

In 2009, the opportunity arrived when a local restaurant, La Madonna, shut down. Dalton discovered a "Turnkey Restaurant Available" sign and immediately roped Bryce into a meeting with the landlord. Despite opening during a recession and in a somewhat overlooked southwest Vegas neighborhood, they jumped in headfirst, handling permitting and renovations on a shoestring budget.

"We opened April 6, 2010, and we just waited for people to come," Bryce remembers. "And they did. They came for the food, the vibes, and because Vegas needed something like DW."

A Menu with Soul

DW Bistro's menu reflected Dalton and Bryce’s heritage and tastes—Jamaican, New Mexican, Californian, and purely DW. The jerk chicken and waffles quickly became a fan favorite, even though neither of them had eaten the dish before opening. "We brine the chicken, jerk it, flour it, and fry it—it’s juicy and spicy and the syrup we make ties it all together," Bryce explains. "That smell will stay with me forever."

Other standouts included the mango-studded Cobb salad, the pan-seared salmon bowl, and the jerk turkey burger with mango chutney—originally inspired by a spa recipe Oprah loved. Their signature chilaquiles, created by early team member Priscilla, became the top-selling brunch item.

Brunch with a Beat

Within six months, DW Bistro achieved what Bryce had envisioned from the start: a line out the door on Sunday mornings. Their no-reservations policy turned Sunday brunch into a social scene where everyone—from Strip performers to suburban families—rubbed elbows over mimosas and themed dishes.

"We created pajama brunches, Willy Wonka brunches, Alice in Wonderland brunches—it became our way of saying, ‘Be yourself, have fun, and feel safe here,’" Bryce says. One of his favorite brunches was their Oscar Sunday event inspired by The Greatest Showman, called This Is Me Brunch. Staff and guests alike wore sequins and buttons that proudly proclaimed individuality.

And it wasn’t just about food and flair. It was about creating space. "There weren’t any LGBTQ+ safe zone brunches like ours," Bryce says. "We were one of the first."

A Place Where Deals—and Friendships—Were Made

While brunch made headlines, DW's weekday lunch crowd quietly became its heartbeat. Local lawyers, business owners, and power players turned the restaurant into an unofficial boardroom where deals were inked over jerk salmon and house-made scones.

"People signed million-dollar deals at these tables," Bryce says. "And they kept coming back for years."

Their staff—many of whom stayed for a decade or more—added to the warm, family-like environment. "Fonzie’s been setting up the bar for 14.5 years. Orlando’s made our salmon for 10. This place worked because they were here."

The Move to the Gramercy

In 2016, DW Bistro relocated to The Gramercy, trading its cozy, shoulder-to-shoulder charm for a sleeker space with more room to grow. The new location offered an expanded bar, a spacious patio, and a more upscale ambiance. The plan was to launch a DW market with floral arrangements and grab-and-go goods, but construction costs forced a pivot back to full-service dining.

Still, the move brought new visibility, and brunch thrived in the updated digs. But like many restaurants, DW faced seismic challenges with the arrival of COVID-19. Bryce himself fell seriously ill, and the team had to innovate quickly with to-go brunch kits, playlists, and DW-at-home tutorials.

"We leaned into connection," Bryce says. "Our DJ made SoundCloud playlists, we taught people to make scones at home, and we reminded our guests that the DW spirit was still alive—just in their kitchens now."

Loss, Reflection, and Closure

In recent years, both Dalton and Bryce faced deeply personal challenges. Dalton stepped away for a time, exploring other opportunities before returning to DW. More recently, he’s been absent as he tends to his ailing father. Bryce, meanwhile, lost both of his parents in 2023.

"They were huge supporters of the restaurant," Bryce shares. "I was blessed to have the time with them. That’s part of why we knew it was time to close. Our lease was up, and life just… changed."

DW Bistro’s official last day, April 6, 2025, is exactly 15 years after they first opened. It’s a full-circle farewell that honors every guest, every brunch, every Sunday morning line around the block.

Legacy of Love and Leadership

Beyond the food, DW Bistro’s greatest legacy may be its sense of purpose. The restaurant became a hub for the LGBTQ+ community, a place where love was served as freely as mimosas. Dignitaries and drag queens alike felt at home here. Kamala Harris visited during her 2018 presidential run. Bill Clinton came to a gospel brunch. DW was always more than a restaurant—it was a venue for visibility and change.

"We never labeled it a ‘gay restaurant,’ but we were queer-owned, and we were safe. We were proud," Bryce says. "And we created space for everyone to shine."

Advice to the Next Generation

Asked what advice he’d give to young LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs hoping to follow in DW’s footsteps, Bryce offers heartfelt clarity:

"Have the passion first. The money may not always be there, and this industry is not for the faint of heart. But if you love it—really love people—you can create something incredible."

He also urges future restaurateurs to build community. "Don’t worry so much about location. We weren’t on the Strip, but people came to us. Build something authentic and they will come."

What’s Next?

While there are no immediate plans for a new DW Bistro location, Bryce hints at pop-up events, classes, or collaborative brunches at partner restaurants.

"I look forward to bringing DW energy to new places when the time is right," he says. "And if you loved the salmon bowl, maybe we’ll teach you how to make it yourself. COVID taught us how to share DW at home. That part is just beginning."

A Final Hug

When asked what he’d say to the community that supported DW Bistro for 15 years, Bryce’s eyes well up.

"Love. Just love," he says. "Our motto was always ‘Live richly, eat simply,’ but I’d add—love simply. Hug each other. Share your light. Be loud. Be proud. And never underestimate the power of a good cocktail and a safe space."

Las Vegas will feel a little quieter without the buzz of DW Bistro on a Sunday morning. But its legacy will linger like the scent of jerk chicken, jalapeño bacon, and fresh scones in the air—rich, comforting, unforgettable.

Thank you, DW Bistro. For the food. For the memories. For the love.