Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Friends With Benefits:

Clearing the air with Rathna Singh, Casa Fuente’s cigar ambassador

Rathna Singh

Leila Navidi

Rathna Singh, Casa Fuente’s cigar ambassador

Click to enlarge photo

"Everybody is curious how they're made," says Singh of Casa Fuente's famous mojitos, and they do garner quite a bit of attention from guests at the bar. The secret is in the rum (Montecristo 12-year aged) and a little TLC - muddling mint in front of the guests, squeezing fresh lime juice, adding a little simple syrup and topping it off with a splash of soda water. A stogie and some drinks - that's what we call Vegas.

What looks at first glance to be a rather unassuming café at the base of an escalator inside The Forum Shops at Caesars is actually one of Las Vegas' most unique treasures: Casa Fuente, a cigar shop and bar that takes its name from the first family of cigars. Rathna Singh has been there from the beginning, serving as embajadora de la casa, the venue's cigar ambassador.

"Most of the time, everyone that comes through Casa Fuente ends up missing it," Singh said.

Born in Fiji but a U.S. resident for the past 18 years, Singh gave up a career as a medical assistant for the chance to join the Casa Fuente team.

Over the past few years, she's become a face for the venue, serving as host, socializing with guests, building relationships and introducing the uninitiated to Fuente cigars, including the exclusive Casa Fuente label.

In addition to the cigars, which are housed in a walk-in humidor, Casa Fuente also boasts a patio overlooking the mall that's perfect for people-watching and a bar where guests can sip on handcrafted mojitos and sangria.

"We're more of a family-oriented bar," she said. "We remember your name the next time you come. I think when you're personable like that and you remember someone's name, it shows that you actually did pay attention and you took the time to serve them."

— Originally published in Las Vegas Magazine

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