Casino Press Releases

LAS VEGAS (July 2011) – Delectable details are beginning to emerge regarding this fall’s most anticipated and unprecedented restaurant debut; Central (sen-TRAL) Michel Richard at Caesars Palace will make its grand entrance on the global culinary stage this September.

The James Beard award-winning Chef Michel Richard is integral in the creation of this new restaurant concept that will showcase his signature American cuisine with a French accent—and will do so around the clock. Central will be the first restaurant ever helmed by a James Beard award-winning chef to keep its doors open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Located in near bustling main entrance of Caesars Palace, Central boasts a 75-foot-long onyx bar that opens up directly into the hotel’s lobby. Its inviting atmosphere is the first feature of the restaurant guests will observe; both patrons of the restaurant and guests passing by will be able to partake in Richard’s signature modern-classic cocktail creations and other libations, 24 hours a day.

Inside, the restaurant’s décor features Richard’s preferred palette of burgundy and green accented by amber-flecked glass, a variety of sculptural interpretations of dishes (Richard is fond of circular forms), two 13-foot-high wine rooms (one for red, one for white), large-scale rotisserie capable of roasting 40 chickens simultaneously and a spacious and tranquil outdoor patio evocative of a French café or bistro. This patio, which will be surrounded by large potted Italian cypress trees, will extend out into Caesars Palace’s historic Roman Plaza fronting Las Vegas Boulevard, providing guests with an exquisite and rare Las Vegas al fresco dining experience. In total, the 9,600-square-foot restaurant will seat approximately 220 guests indoors and 80 guests outdoors for patio dining.

Of course, Central’s most extraordinary element of all will be its menu. Crafted to be not only delicious, but also—in Richard’s own words “unpretentious and fun,”—breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night menus will feature all the dishes he known for at Central in Washington, D.C., plus a substantial number of new dishes created especially for the Caesars Palace location. Some of the savory favorites from Richard’s existing repertoire will include charcuterie and cheese selections such as “faux” gras terrine with country pate and a cheese plate featuring daily selections of three and five cheeses; sandwiches including the grilled mushroom and cheese sandwich and lobster burger; appetizers and salads such as pork belly confit with chile BBQ sauce and goat cheese Caesar salad and main courses including Richard’s famous fried chicken, short rib pappardelle and syrah sauce and rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes. Mouthwatering sides on offer include Brussels sprouts with bacon and creamy polenta, while Central’s dessert menu highlighted by delectable items such Napoleons and chocolate lava cake will be second to none as Richard began his illustrious culinary career as a pastry chef.

“Las Vegas is such an exciting place, I’m happy to be spending so much time here,” enthuses Richard. “Our menu and experience at Central will please a sophisticated audience that appreciates great, accessible cuisine at good prices in a relaxed atmosphere. We want them to have such a good time, they’ll tell others and come back again and again.”

For more information, go to www.centrallv.com. Find Michel Richard on Facebook or Twitter.

Michel Richard exemplifies the art of cuisine and a love of his profession. Richard was a pioneer in French/California cuisine before moving to Washington, D.C., where Michel Richard Citronelle became his flagship restaurant. Richard's creativity can be seen in prestigious culinary publications such as Food & Wine, Food Arts and Bon Appétit. Chosen by the James Beard Foundation as Outstanding Chef 2007, Richard also won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine Service at Citronelle the same year and his second book, “Happy in the Kitchen” published by Artisan, won a James Beard Nomination. To rave reviews, and the 2008 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, he opened Central Michel Richard, which continues to be a highlight of the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene. Constantly engaged in something new, Michel, a modern French restaurant, opened at The Ritz-Carlton, Tyson’s Corner in fall 2010.

Reigning in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace is the world's best known resort-casino, celebrating the grandeur that was Rome in an 85-acre destination location that sets the standard for entertainment, dining and luxury. Ranking among the world's top luxury resorts Caesars Palace features 3,300 hotel guest rooms and suites, 23 diverse restaurants and cafes, five-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, 50,000 square foot Qua Baths & Spa and 300,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. The 4,300-seat Colosseum sits just steps from celebrity chef restaurants and the acclaimed Forum Shops at Caesars and spotlights world class entertainers such as Celine Dion, Jerry Seinfeld, Rod Stewart (returning in August 2011) and Elton John (returning in September 2011).