Mohegan Sun and Tao Group Hospitality announced that TAO Restaurant will open inside Mohegan Sun’s flagship Connecticut property in 2020. The renowned dining experience at TAO Restaurant will be a welcomed addition to the food and beverage offerings at Mohegan Sun, and will be located off of Sky Tower’s beautiful hotel lobby.
“We are proud to have Tao Group Hospitality join us as a strategic restaurant partner as we continue to amplify Mohegan Sun as an all-encompassing destination for premium dining, entertainment and nightlife,” says Ray Pineault, president and general manager of Mohegan Sun. “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.”
Tao Group Hospitality founders Rich Wolf, Marc Packer, Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss have nurtured the TAO brand through openings in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Chicago since 2000. TAO Restaurant at Mohegan Sun, the sixth iteration of the brand, will offer a distinctive and memorable culinary destination.
“We are thrilled to introduce TAO Restaurant to guests at Mohegan Sun,” says Ralph Scamardella, partner/chef of Tao Group Hospitality. “The TAO brand has become synonymous with great food, elevated cocktails, a vibrant ambience, and overall spectacular setting for any occasion. For these reasons, we believe TAO will be a premiere destination at Mohegan Sun’s flagship property in 2020.”
The kitchen will be helmed by Partner/Chef Scamardella featuring a menu of elevated Pan-Asian fare. Guests will be able to dine on offerings from the sea, sky and land, with signature dishes that have become synonymous with the TAO brand such as the Satay of Chilean Sea Bass, Lobster Wontons, Peking Duck, Crispy Snapper in “Sand” and highly-lauded Tuna Sashimi Pringle. TAO Restaurant’s beverage program caters to Asian tastes with creative, approachable craft cocktails and a robust saki program.
“Aligning with highly-sought after and recognized brands with goals mutual to ours is a key component to sustaining a successful integrated entertainment resort,” says Mario Kontomerkos, CEO for Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE). “We are beyond excited to have Tao Group Hospitality join our impressive and growing list of strategic partners for our flagship Mohegan Sun property.”
TAO Restaurant at Mohegan Sun will be designed in collaboration with award-winning architecture and design firm Rockwell Group, which has worked with Tao Group Hospitality on 16 previous projects, as well as on various projects across Mohegan Sun. The new 10,000 square foot restaurant at Mohegan Sun will feature 300 seats and several notable TAO fixtures that guests have come to expect, including the Ink Lounge, sushi bar, and of course the 16-foot-tall Quan Yin statue anchoring the main dining room.
