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The $450 million transition of the Monte Carlo into the upscale, combination Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas resort enters a new phase that follows the rapid shutter of D.vino, Dragon Noodle Co. and BLVD Creamery earlier this month.
Primrose restaurant spent the weekend training staff ahead of a promised September debut. Self-described as “French-ish, delicious, fun — serving food & pouring wine all-day,” the three-meal restaurant helmed by Michelin starred chef Bryce Shuman will eventually include a patio and garden, although current construction work hints neither will be completely finished for opening day.
The plush lounge and bar area are almost complete and Shuman has been teasing future menu items, including beef tartare, marinated mackerel, “grilled avocado with Goddess Dressing and olive oil,” plus a dish of “cucumbers and dill, grilled sourdough and full cream yogurt.”
Explaining that the restaurant features a giant wood fired grill and rotisserie, Shuman expects “tons of fresh veggies and meats cooked with French and Mediterranean flair to be enjoyed in the garden, or the drawing room, terrace, bar, or dining room.”
Elsewhere on property, the long-anticipated closure of the Hit Bar & Lounge has finally arrived. Located next door to the former Brand Steakhouse, the space is believed to become part of the under construction Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar concept, imported from Chicago and now racing to an October opening.
And out on The Boulevard plaza in front of the property, 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria is moving to the north and will downsize to 1,576 square feet of space with a patio at the New York-New York. The pizza restaurant arrived at the Monte Carlo in May 2014, filling a 3,278-square-foot corner spot right on the Strip.
The yet-to-be announced closure will make way for Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s giant Eataly project, which will dominate the entire frontage of the resort and will host its own pizza and pasta options. A timetable for the switcheroo has yet to be revealed. The pizza restaurant 800 degrees still operates a 2,025-square-foot outpost at the SLS Las Vegas.
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