After both Vegas Eater and Vegas Seven have reported that Daniel Boulud’s restaurant was pretty much shut down, with their Chef leaving and no one really going to the restaurant, we decided to do some investigation.
No one really wanted to go on the record, because possibly negotiations were still pending and they didn’t want to reveal too much of their plans.
Luckily, the folk at 50 Eggs had previously caught up with me both online and in person at Yardbird, around the corner from DB. They had made it clear to me that they wanted the space next to them for a new project. At the time their Chefs, now departed were talking about doing a pig-based restaurant there, that would maybe copy the success of Yardbird but with Pigs. Run Piggy Run.
Now it seems that they are looking at the space to open their Latin themed restaurant, Chica.
The restaurant will be run, according to insiders, by the talented Lorena Garcia who is known mainly for her recent association with Taco Bell in making their alcoholic cantina program. Her association with Taco Bell was widely panned as inauthentic and an insult to Latin cuisine.
Similarly her commercials were nominated as the worst commercials of the year. There is no word whether or not the the new restaurant will have the famous Taco Bell Burrito Bowl.
So kinda like Chipotle Mexican Grill with an expanded menu? I am sure they will do well. When you walk into a property and the menu is written by the food distributor or a celebrity chef(model in a jacket) which is worse? Vega’s is full of kitchen talent. It’s past due for properties to start investing in it. Look for the chef that is a cook who is more worried about attending to their kitchen in the morning then spending the night with brand “X” celebrity at a club looking for that chance PR shot from a paparazzi. Heck just look for one that still spends time working in a kitchen and does not consider it a burden.