When Slađan Stanišić took over ownership of 10 West Restaurant & Bar in December of last year, he had one simple goal.
“The goal was to give the restaurant a really nice, fresh look – a facelift, if you will,” says Stanišić.
From sesame tuna to blackened chicken slammers, 10 West serves it all. Stanišić bought the restaurant from Brett Morrow and retained Head Chef Sarah Holland, who has been working there for more than a year.
“10 West is a special place to the community and has been for years,” says Holland. “We are very fortunate to have new ownership who values community in the same way that we do.”
Stanišić’s wife, Brandy, is native to Cicero and witnessed firsthand how 10 West became a staple of her small community.
Stanišić renamed the Banquet Room to the Morse Room as an homage to the famed Hamilton County reservoir. The Morse Room received new flooring, a custom railing, a paint job, lake-themed decorations, additional chandeliers and more.
All three restrooms in the hallway on the main level were remodeled. Stanišić closed up a window to the kitchen that was viewable from the bar, and built shelves with LED lights to complement the space.
Despite the cosmetic changes, Stanišić promised 10 West will stay the same at its core. Fresh food and creative recipes have kept guests coming back.
“The tablecloth doesn’t make the restaurant fine dining; the people do,” says Stanišić. “I purchased 10 West because I like it, not because I want to change it.”
Stanišić is no stranger to the food and hospitality industries. He and Brandy opened The Nesst steakhouse in November of 2020. His friends were shocked that Stanišić pursued a business endeavor in the rocky landscape of pandemic-era Indiana.
“I felt like it was the right time, despite the times they were,” says Stanišić. “If I don’t do this, I feel like I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.”
Even the landlord questioned Stanišić’s judgement before letting him sign the lease, but his gut feeling was right. Since The Nesst’s opening, the restaurant has never spent a day empty. Stanišić cited his hard-working staff as the reason for the success, with some day-one employees still working there today.
Stanišić and his wife came up with the name of the steakhouse when their four grown-up children referred to them as empty nesters. They added the extra “s” to mirror Stanišić’s initials.
The Nesst will host its yearly Charitable Wine & Bourbon Tasting on May 1. This year the proceeds raise money for the Allies charity, empowering trafficking survivors. The event features live music, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and a selection of more than 50 wines.
“It’s our way to give back as much as we can to our community,” says Stanišić.
Another charity event will follow this summer in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville.
10 West Restaurant & Bar is located at 10 West Jackson Street in Cicero. You can book a reservation at 317-606-8542 or check out their website at 10westjackson.com.
The Nesst is located at 917 Conner Street in Noblesville. You can call them at 317-214-7137 or view their menu at thenesstofnoblesville.com.
