$1.3 Million Makeover for Chin Chin at New York-New York

Chin Chin Café & Sushi Bar, the New York-New York’s Asian fusion dining option since the resort's opening day, is about to undertake its most significant makeover in almost 20 years. The Los Angeles-based brand has submitted paperwork for a restaurant-wide series of improvements, fulfilled by an estimated construction budget of $1,271,607.

Part of the plans call for a remodel of the entrance, bar and dining room. The 4,847-square-foot space is Chin Chin’s sole non-California location, with a celebrity clientele frequently paparazzied outside its Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Studio City and West Hollywood restaurants.

Like fellow admirer chef Wolfgang Puck, Chin Chin creator Bob Mandler took inspiration from the UCLA Extension cooking classes of Madame S. T. Ting Wong and launched the company in 1983, removing all MSG from his dishes and eventually adding sushi and pan-Asian options to their popular dim sum and Chinese chicken salad menu favorites.

Open daily from 7 a.m to 11 p.m., no timetable for the work has been announced and the eatery is currently open for business.

New York-New York debuted on Jan. 2, 1997, with original and current tenants Il Fornaio, Gallagher's Steakhouse, Gonzalez y Gonzales, Broadway Burger, Greenberg's Deli, America and Nathan's hot dogs still showing impressive staying power.

In 2012, the Chin Chin empire was taken over by L.A.'s Wanton Group, operators of the city's Medusa Lounge and the upcoming The Butcher, The Baker & The Cappuccino Maker on Sunset Blvd.