Masayoshi Takayama, Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Jean-Georges
Vongerichten, Sirio Maccioni, The Light Group, Jean-Philippe Maury and
Shawn McClain To Helm Eateries in Luxurious Resort at CityCenter's Core
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ARIA, the resort casino
at CityCenter, the dazzling vertical city set to transform the Las Vegas
Strip when it opens late next year, has named the stellar chefs set to
oversee its culinary offerings.
ARIA has assembled many of the best and brightest chefs and
restaurateurs from around the country, uniting those who have played
integral roles in the development of Las Vegas' culinary scene with a pair
of remarkable Las Vegas newcomers. Sirio Maccioni, Michael Mina, Julian
Serrano, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, The Light Group and Jean-Philippe
Maury, who run acclaimed eateries at Bellagio, The Mirage, MGM Grand and
Mandalay Bay, will be joined by Masayoshi Takayama, the world renowned chef
of the famed Masa in New York City and Shawn McClain, celebrated executive
chef and partner at three of Chicago's top restaurants.
"Over the last two decades, Las Vegas has evolved from a buffet town
into the global culinary epicenter it is today," said Bart Mahoney, vice
president of food and beverage at ARIA. "When it opens late next year, ARIA
will forever change the skyline and create a new Las Vegas experience for
millions of visitors. With such a stunning project, it is only fitting that
the chefs and restaurants follow suit."
Making his Las Vegas debut, Chef Masa, who set the standard for
greatness in Japanese cuisine, will open Bar Masa, a restaurant divided
into two unique spaces offering different styles of service and cuisine. In
the first, more casual space, guests will be invited to order from an a la
carte menu featuring Chef Masa's style of modern Japanese cuisine. The
second space, Shaboo, is an intimate room within Bar Masa, and will provide
guests with an exclusive dining experience. Once seated, guests will be
surrounded by warm lighting from above, as if they are in their own private
dining universe. Each table has been designed with its own induction
cooking element, and adorned with special vessels for the ultimate dining
experience. The space will showcase serving vessels stored in the
restaurant's private vault which is warmly embraced in cobalt blue
concrete. At Shaboo, Chef Masa's menu will change each evening and will be
based on the best seasonally available products. The restaurant will be
refined and sleek, yet awe-inspiring with ceilings that soar to 42 feet.
Materials will be natural and understated, maintaining Chef Masa's
commitment to simple food and an inspiring environment in which to enjoy
it.
Michael Mina, the James Beard Award-winner who conceived and manages
NOBHILL and SEABLUE at MGM Grand, along with his Michelin one-star
eponymous restaurant at Bellagio and award-winning STRIPSTEAK at Mandalay
Bay, will head up AMERICAN FISH. Here, Mina will draw inspiration from the
bounty of American lakes, rivers, and coasts, with a menu featuring refined
American cuisine. Many products will be purchased directly from fishermen,
farmers and ranchers allowing diners to enjoy regional dishes they might
not otherwise experience. The menu also will feature a wide array of
well-sourced meats. Chris Sheffield of SLDesign LLC, in collaboration with
Mina, designed a room that resembles a traditional lodge, with masculine
touches such as warm woods and leather accents.
Bellagio's Picasso has received international critical acclaim under
the guidance of Executive Chef Julian Serrano. At Julian Serrano, the
chef's eponymous restaurant at ARIA, the same extraordinary attention to
detail, ingredients and service will be present. This more casual
restaurant will offer various menus at different price points, providing
diners with an accessible -- and flexible -- dining experience. The
expansive seafood bar will highlight exquisitely fresh shellfish and
ceviches, while the dining room and lounge will serve tapas and other
dishes from Serrano's native Spain. With this new restaurant, Chef Serrano
is looking to stretch the normal boundaries of small plates featuring both
traditional and innovative interpretations of Spanish fare. Julian Serrano
will be the first restaurant in the United States to be designed by famed
Spanish design group Gente de Valor.
World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will challenge the
definition of the traditional American Steakhouse by adding a strong dose
of energy and sex appeal to Jean Georges Steakhouse at ARIA. With its
high-octane lounge and extensive bar program focusing on classic cocktails,
Jean Georges Steakhouse, designed by Dupoux Design, will meld beloved
steakhouse touches with a decidedly contemporary experience. Chef
Vongerichten's menu will highlight the best ingredients and preparations,
paying particular attention to an innovative array of side dishes and
sauces. The Steakhouse is certain to be an oasis for guests seeking a
stylish, contemporary experience coupled with impeccable cuisine.
Introducing a taste of Italy to ARIA is Sirio Maccioni, the globally
recognized owner of Le Cirque and Circo in New York City and at Bellagio.
The word 'classic' will reign at Sirio where the menu will feature Italian
favorites such as Veal Milanese, Osso Buco and pasta dishes like
grandmother used to make, while the cocktails will include the perfect
Negroni as well as other Italian libations. The wine list will feature one
of Las Vegas' largest selections of Italian vintages at a wide array of
price points. The restaurant, designed by longtime Maccioni collaborator
Adam Tihany, will channel old time Italy with its fantastical,
Fellini-esque decor.
The Light Group will unveil an addition to its growing portfolio of
innovative restaurants, with an edgy American dim sum style concept at
ARIA. Overseeing the restaurant's menu, Executive Chef Brian Massie will
offer unique interpretations on American favorites, serving the finest
quality ingredients from the country's best purveyors. Small, sharable
plates will supplement the menu and offer diners a variety of dishes to
excite the palette. Designed by world-renowned architect Adam Tihany, the
restaurant will boast an impressive, sleek design and offer the stellar
customer service that has become synonymous with The Light Group's
properties.
Chef Shawn McClain will open his first restaurant outside of Chicago at
ARIA. The seafood-centric menu of his first restaurant, Spring, drew
immediate raves after opening in 2001 earning a coveted James Beard
Foundation Best New Restaurant nomination as well as catapulting McClain to
national recognition as "Chef of the Year" as awarded by Esquire magazine.
McClain stretched his culinary muscle with the vegetable-focused Green
Zebra, which opened in 2004, followed a year later by Custom House, a
modern steak-focused restaurant. In 2006, McClain was recognized by the
James Beard Foundation as Best Chef Midwest. When McClain opens Sage at
ARIA, the influence of all three restaurants will be in evidence, as he
spotlights farm-to-table produce, artisanal meats and sustainable seafood,
all presented in a room designed by Jacques Garcia Decoration, which offers
an informal atmosphere that aims to be at once sophisticated yet
comfortable.
Guests at Bellagio know it is all but impossible to walk by the world's
largest chocolate fountain at the Jean-Philippe Patisserie without stopping
to stare longingly at the 2,100 pounds of chocolate that flow continuously.
Never have so many been so happy to surrender to temptation.
JP Patisserie at ARIA, designed by Norwood Oliver Design Associates,
will be equally inviting. With ample seating, JP guests will be able to
enjoy their just desserts right away and scope out which treats -- all of
which look as good as they taste -- to eat next. Breakfast pastries,
sandwiches, crepes, salads and paninis also will be featured. Jean-Philippe
Maury's signature chocolates will be on display and exquisitely packaged to
take home as a tasty remembrance of the visit.
ARIA also will be home to Blossom, a classic Chinese restaurant
designed by Studio A; Lemongrass, a modern Thai restaurant, designed by
James Beard Award Winner AvroKo; Cafe Centro, designed by Bentel & Bentel,
serving three meals each day; and The Buffet, a contemporary take on the
standard, designed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis Architects.
CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis that will open in late
2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas
Strip. A joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Dubai World,
CityCenter is valued at more than $9 billion and will feature ARIA, a
61-story, 4,000-room gaming resort; three luxury non-gaming hotels
including Las Vegas' first Mandarin Oriental, The Harmon Hotel, Spa &
Residences and Vdara Condo Hotel; Veer Towers, the development's only
strictly residential buildings; approximately 2,600 condominium residences;
and The Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district.
CityCenter also will feature a $40 million public fine art program with
works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins,
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a
design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed
architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut
Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Vinoly, Foster + Partners, Studio
Daniel Libeskind(1), Rockwell Group and Gensler. Charting a new course for
responsible growth in Las Vegas, MGM MIRAGE is pursuing the U.S. Green
Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certification at CityCenter. As planned, the 18-million-square foot,
multi-use project will become one of the world's largest environmentally
sustainable urban communities. Dubai World, a major investment holding
company which wholly owns or has substantial interest in a portfolio of
businesses, owns 50 percent of CityCenter through its affiliates Infinity
World (Cayman) L.P. and Infinity World Investments LLC. The Dubai World
Group has more than 50,000 employees in over 100 cities around the globe.
For more information about CityCenter, please visit
http://www.citycenter.com. For more information about MGM MIRAGE, please
visit the company's Web site at http://www.mgmmirage.com.
(1) As a consultant to AAI Architects, Inc.
SOURCE CityCenter
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.mgmmirage.com
http://www.citycenter.com
CONTACT:
Jenn Michaels of MGM MIRAGE, +1-702-650-7565;
or Jennifer Baum of Bullfrog & Baum, +1-212-255-6717, for MGM
MIRAGE
|
