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Matthias Merges’ spectacular Yusho Japanese Grill & Noodle House at the Monte Carlo calls it quits on June 5.
Parent company MGM Resorts International calls the closing a "part of the ongoing transformation into Park MGM."
Merges spent two years planning his move to bring Yusho from Chicago to Las Vegas with a menu of ramens, the grilled chicken wings and octopus, soft-serve desserts and tofu doughnuts. In April 2014, the restaurant debuted with its famous Logan Poser Ramen, steamed buns and draft cocktails.
As Merges described the food, "It's an interesting interpretation of Asian and Japanese cuisine."
Merges originally opened Yusho in Chicago in 2011. Last November, the restaurant earned a spot on Michelin's Bib Gourmand, a list revered by travelers as a sign of a quality meal at an affordable price.
Former executive chef Brian Lhee, who moved on to Tao Asian Bistro at the Venetian, won the Chef of the Year Award from Eater Vegas in 2014.
The Monte Carlo has been busy closing restaurants to make way for NoMad and Eataly in 2018. Brand Steakhouse at the resort closes on May 11. Andre’s, the upstairs French restaurant next door to Yusho, closed last October. The Pub also closed in October.
New York-based Sydell Group will completely rebrand the 20-year-old resort into the Park MGM and bring its Manhattan NoMad Hotel concept to the top three floors of the Monte Carlo's hotel tower, currently occupied by Hotel 32.
NoMad will have its own pool and dining options, plus a separate lobby and check-in, as well as a contemporary American restaurant from chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara. The duo are also behind New York City’s Eleven Madison Park, which was just named to the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Also to come, a "full-scale Eataly marketplace," the latest expansion of the famed Italian marketplace created by founder Oscar Farinetti and to be run in partnership with Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Joe Bastianich. Expect to discover a "vibrant marketplace with cafes, to-go counters, and sit-down restaurants interspersed with high-quality products from sustainable Italian and local producers."
A late 2018 opening is slated.
• All Coverage of Yusho [ELV]
• $450 Million Monte Carlo Makeover To Shutter the Pools and The Pub [ELV]