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Bellagio Chef's Secret Departure: Number Two in Vegas' Restaurant Updates, Beardless Las Vegas Strikes Again, and Further Details.

Surprise Departure of Chef Roy Ellamar from Harvest by Roy Ellamar in 2021 - renowned for its Hawaiian-inspired, contemporary American culinary experience.

SymClub
Jun 12, 2024
2 min read
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Renowned Vegas chef Roy Ellamar has exited his second restaurant in three years.
Renowned Vegas chef Roy Ellamar has exited his second restaurant in three years.

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Bellagio Chef's Secret Departure: Number Two in Vegas' Restaurant Updates, Beardless Las Vegas Strikes Again, and Further Details.

The unexpected departure of Chef Roy Ellamar from Harvest by Roy Ellamar at Bellagio six years ago was never clarified. Now, under similar mysterious conditions, he has left yet another restaurant he established.

In September 2020, Ellamar introduced his acclaimed fluffy banana bread to Fine Company at Downtown Summerlin with LEV Group. However, just nine months later, he's disappeared once more.

Regarding his exit, Chef Roy shared with Eater Vegas, "It was headed in a different direction than I had initially desired. I think LEG Group was just seeking something different than what I was willing to provide. If you examine the menu currently, you can see what I am referring to."

Vegas Faces Setback Again

During the James Beard Awards held on June 6 in Chicago, the only Las Vegas nominee for Best Chef: Southwest, Steve Kestler, chef-owner of Aroma Latin American Cocina, did not win. Instead, Rene Andrade of Bacanora in Phoenix took home the award.

This marks the second consecutive year that Vegas was overlooked in the most prestigious category of the most significant culinary awards. In the previous year, Oscar Amador, chef-owner of Anima by EDO, also lost the competition.

Dining Updates & Developments

Due to supposedly "impossible" expenses and competition for talented chefs from the Strip, Chinglish Cantonese Wine Bar and Kosher Chinglish, two interconnected Chinese eating establishments that launched in Boca Park in 2020, have both shuttered.

While the posting on its Facebook page didn't disclose a clear explanation, co-owner Ken Heck, in an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal, pointed the finger at the exorbitant costs and competition for culinary masterminds from the Strip.

Gjelina, a restaurant renowned for its "produce-centric" California cuisine, is slated to debut at The Venetian by the year's end. It would be the third site for Gjelina, alongside its LA and New York outposts.

A new venue named International Taco Company is about to make its debut at 7686 Las Vegas Blvd S, Suite 140. This address lies approximately three miles south of The Strip. To make room for the new restaurant, JJ Asian Foodies sushi bar has relocated to Moon World Plaza at 8000 W. Sahara Ave. #160.

Raymyn Café, a fresh Korean instant noodle restaurant, is on the verge of opening at the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, located at 855 S Grand Central Parkway.

Southern Taste Seafood, located at 939 Empire Mesa Way in Henderson, was shut down on June 7 by the Southern Nevada Health District for receiving 25 demerits.

The closing notice posted to the Chinglish Facebook page.

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