Rio and Harrah’s Want To Lead You Into (Dining) Temptation

Cha-cha-cha changes are coming to the Rio and Harrah’s…and they’re aimed squarely at your taste buds.

In about a week, we’ll be unveiling the best, worst, and most noteworthy Vegas happenings of 2015. I’ll tell you in advance that Rio Hotel Casino’s Masquerade Village was my top choice for “Most In Need of a Revamp”. It would seem that a preview of our list leaked to the folks at Rio, as I observed a number of potentially positive things in motion during my stay there last week.

But first. let’s take a stop at Harrah’s. That much-maligned Strip hotel, at least as far as dining is concerned, has done little to please this particular VegasBright-er in the calendar year. First there was the scaling back of Flavors buffet’s serving hours, combined with the closing of favorite KGB Burger, accompanied by a re-direction to the awful Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar and Grill”.

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I recently had a field day ripping on that country-inspired slop-house, and many of our readers chimed in with similar tales. TK’s is currently shuttered for the pre-holidays, so don’t worry about finding a lump of gravy-covered coal in your stocking. And while most of KGB Burger continues to be walled off, some of its seating area has been turned over to the recently-expanded Oyster Bar.

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Nearby, the popular casino-level Fulton Street Food Hall (Harrah’s politely asks you not to refer to it as a food court) is expanding its offerings. A new creperie will be joining the sushi bar, pizza station, salad buffet and many other offerings that round out this 24-hour venue. A pardon-our-dust sign and partition are in place, and the sounds of hammers and saws were busy getting the creperie ready for business on December 26th.

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Back at sister property, the off-Strip Rio, a number of changes are taking place. We already told you about the undoubtedly cost-cutting move to merge Village Seafood Buffet with Carnival World’s traditional buffet via a separate entrance (and price point, natch).

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Last Wednesday, on my way to an early workout at Rio Spa, I came across the remnants of the shuttered Buzio’s Seafood Restaurant. Signage was being removed and the corridor-side lobster tank was emptied and covered up.

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The next morning, construction walls were already in place and getting painted over. Overhead signage now directed patrons to Guy Fieri’s forthcoming El Burro Borracho (translation: The Drunken Donkey). I’ll try to avoid making any “ass” wisecracks at the infamously douche-baggy Fieri’s expense.

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As more hammers and saws clang away inside the former Buzio’s, Caesars’ PR folks are working overtime to let you know that El Burro Borracho is on the way in. Posters have popped up throughout the casino, hotel and elevators. Rio’s website says this:

Guests will enjoy authentically prepared Mexican dishes with upscale touches and the signature, flavorful flair you would expect from Fieri. Crispy Mahi Mahi Juan Tacos, Flaming Queso Fundido, Acapulco Gold Salad, Drunken Fish Tacos, Lava Rock Shrimp, signature tortas, enchiladas, burritos and an array of house-made, signature salsas are just a few of the items available on the menu.

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Both the hostess at future neighbor Hash House A Go Go and a bartender at a nearby casino bar confirmed that the former Buzio’s will indeed be the Burro’s spot. Our helpful bartender was excited by the prospect of another Guy Fieri’s opening on their property.

And why not? After all, Vegas Kitchen and Bar at Linq Hotel is a huge hit, and Mr. Mixologist said that this new place will be open directly to Voodoo Beach pools, providing a walk-up area for food and cocktails (and hopefully some decent people-watching for the indoor diners).

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When pressed further about the future of all the vacant spots at Rio’s Masquerade Village (former home to Martarano’s Italian Restaurant, McFadden’s Irish Pub, Village Seafood Buffet and many others) our informant was somewhat sketchy: “I’ve heard rumors that they’re leasing those spaces to Smashburger, Subway, and a few others, but don’t quote me on that”. Sorry, too late.

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While scoping the weirdly-vacant Masquerade Village for pics and info, I happened upon an organized group that appeared to be receiving a tour of the various empty storefronts lining the two levels of the MV casino space. My bionic ear overheard plenty of excited conversation about what they were seeing…alas, none of it in a language I could understand.

Coming across a Rio security staffer, I pressed her for information as to the future of Village Seafood Buffet and the other locations. She was quite direct with her shrug and response: “They don’t tell us nothing”.

So there you have it. An expanded Fulton Street Food Hall at Harrah’s and a confirmed Mexican venue along Rio’s Convention Way. And a whole lotta empty at Masquerade Village.

Check out our upcoming “Year’s End” spots after our holiday break to hear more about Masquerade Village and why it stands out so sorely in a city built on reinvention and renovation. And have a terrific holiday season from all of us at VegasBright.

Photos: [Sammasseur, Rio Las Vegas]

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