300-seat restaurant coming to Mohegan Sun

Photo | Tao Group Hospitality TAO Restaurant in New York City.

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By Joe Cooper

An Asian-inspired restaurant and nightclub, known for its upscale locations in New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, is coming to Mohegan Sun.

TAO Restaurant, owned and operated by Tao Group Hospitality, and Mohegan on Tuesday announced the new 10,000-square-foot restaurant will be located off the lobby of the casino’s Sky Tower hotel, located in the Uncasville section of Montville.

A Mohegan spokesperson said the new restaurant will take over the location of Bobby Flay's Bar Americain restaurant.

TAO Restaurant will open in 2020, but the announcement did not specify when.

The group is working with New York-based architecture and design firm Rockwell Group to design the 300-seat TAO Restaurant at Mohegan, which will feature a sushi bar, an “Ink Lounge,” and a 16-foot Quan Yin (one of the major deities in Buddhism) statue anchoring the main dining area.

Led by chef Ralph Scamardella, TAO Restaurant’s coming casino location will offer Pan-Asian fare, including sea bass, lobster, tuna and duck, among other dishes.

Its arrival comes as Mohegan and Foxwoods Resort Casino each continue to face increased competition from other gaming operators across the region, such as MGM Springfield.

Ray Pineault, president and general manager of Mohegan, said the TAO brand will increase its presence as a destination for “premium dining, entertainment and nightlife.”

“With TAO Restaurant alongside as we answer the demand of today’s consumers looking for an exciting and interactive dining experience, the restaurant’s elevated model demonstrates Mohegan Sun’s commitment to providing guests from around the world with a hip and vibrant new restaurant to enjoy with friends and family,” Pineault said.

Tao also operates locations in Chicago, Sydney, Australia, and Singapore.

The Madison Square Garden Co. (MSG), which also owns the Hartford Wolf Pack, purchased a majority stake in the restaurant group in 2017.