The $950 million MGM Springfield has revealed the names of some of the restaurants that will serve the casino when it opens in September. The highest profile is Chef Michael Mina’s Cal Mare Italian seafood eatery, also featuring pasta and pizza.
Others are the Chandler Steakhouse, South End Market and TAP Sports Bar.
In a release, MGM Springfield Vice President of Food & Beverage Anthony Caratozzolo said, “When our doors open, guests will find a resort that blurs the line between food and entertainment, and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working on.” He added, “We set out to design a destination where guests will feel comfortable, return frequently and be able to enjoy different amenities each time, from casual lunches to celebratory dinners.”
The Chandler Steakhouse derives its name from where it will be located, the former Union House Hotel whose final name was the Chandler Hotel. The historic building is being partially preserved as part of the casino project. It will be operated by Hell’s Kitchen winner Meghan Gill.
The South End Market will be offer various casual dining options offering Asian, New England, Bill’s Diner and even a healthy options eatery: the Hearth Grill. There will also be a wine and cheese bar and a gelato and espresso counter.
TAP Sports Bar is being imported from MGM’s other properties in Las Vegas, Detroit and Maryland. It will have a beer garden and bowling alley.
Springfield chief development officer Kevin Kennedy hailed the announcements. He told the Republican, “The exciting part for everybody to realize is that it’s going to be an exciting, diverse set of offerings in the food and beverage area that Springfield has not experienced in many, many years.”
Chef Mina is collaborating with San Francisco Chef of the Year Adam Sobel, who has been quoted by “Food & Wine” as saying that the region “has an abundance of amazing seafood” and “It’s really the epicenter of fishing in the United States. It makes sense for us to do a fish restaurant there.”
Concurrently with the announcements of restaurant tenants, MGM Springfield will begin the training of dealers at a simulated casino on February 26. About 450 are expected to emerge from the program by the time the casino opens this fall.
One of the instructors told his students, “You must be attentive and your customer service skills,” instructor Angelo Immordino explained. “I know you’re not born with that, being attentive to detail.”
