Downtown Grand Diners to Move to a Freedom Beat?

Two and a half years after its debut, the Downtown Grand still struggles to live up to its promise and ambition to succeed as an "urban resort" alternative to its Fremont Street rivals. While their neighbors and partners Pizza Rock and the Triple George Grill across Third Street maintain loyal followings, the Grand's casino floor has yet to cultivate its own dining scene. Now comes word they haven't given up the fight and a new restaurant is on the way.

Paperwork has been filed for Freedom Beat to slot into a remodeled, existing restaurant space with Downtown Project favorites Bunnyfish Studios assigned to design the venture. While no exact location has been confirmed, the Downtown Grand already has vacant space immediately available at a trio of shuttered experiments, Red Mansion, the Mob Bar and The Spread deli.

Their current other on-site dining options are the Art Bar, S+O Restaurant and the grilled fare at Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck, the recently revamped version of their former Picnic pool concept. Freedom Beat would sit less than half a mile from downtown institution, The Beat Coffeehouse & Records on Fremont Street.

No announcement, hint of the menu or timetable for the arrival of project has been revealed by the Downtown Grand.