Covid-19 closed buffets around the country . Some won ’ t return . Others have transitioned into food halls . And a select few are back and better than ever . What ’ s in store for these classic casino eateries ? By Marjorie Preston
Buffets
Outside the Box
Covid-19 closed buffets around the country . Some won ’ t return . Others have transitioned into food halls . And a select few are back and better than ever . What ’ s in store for these classic casino eateries ? By Marjorie Preston
In ancient Roman mythology , Bacchus was the god of revelry , a hard-partying deity devoted to wine , food and merrymaking . The term “ bacchanalia ”— meaning the ultimate feast — was the inspiration for Bacchanal , a 25,000-square-foot eating extravaganza at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas . Starting in 2012 , Bacchanal was a Sin City favorite until Covid-19 shut down the world , on and off the Strip .
Caesars made good use of the pause , completing a $ 2.4 million makeover . When the buffet reopened in 2021 , it offered “ new , elevated dishes ” that “ redefine the Las Vegas buffet experience ,” says Terrence O ’ Donnell , Caesars Palace vice president and assistant general manager .
Along with the classic chow line , Bacchanal features roaming food carts and nine open kitchens . More and more , kitchens are part of the floor show , as guests witness the creativity of a culinary team at work .
Bacchanal “ leans into the trend of unique dining experiences through its interactive kitchens ,” notes O ’ Donnell , with “ an up-close and personal view of what ’ s normally behind closed doors . The kitchens feature open-fire roasting grills for made-to-order dishes , along with steaming and refrigeration systems that provide the ideal atmosphere for market-fresh seafood .” Bacchanal is known for plated and made-to-order minidishes , along with American and Latin carving stations .
Original designer Tetsuo Aoyagi refined the space , which features glass and stone finishes “ reminiscent of ice caves and mountains .”
It all goes to show that in some quarters , the casino buffet is alive and well — but evolving .
Changing Times & Tastes
Buffets have been a staple of casinos since the mid-1940s , when the first Strip casino , the El Rancho , introduced its aptly named Buckaroo Buffet . It charged a buck a head for a modest spread of cold cuts , salad and seafood .
16 CASINO STYLE 2023