Chef Luke Palladino, General Manager John Smith. (Photo by Christine Steiner)

The term non-casino amenities has been the “save Atlantic City” mantra ever since the economy tanked and took the mega-profits of the Atlantic City casinos with it. As always, the town that is called dead or dying by media prognosticators always manages to get up off the canvas and reinvent itself.

Dos Caminos' Prickly Pear Margarita.

With the summer arriving, Atlantic City is revitalizing itself big time in the Marina district, with the Golden Nugget taking over the former Trump Marina property, and Harrah’s Resort injecting new life in the already vibrant dining scene with two new restaurants, Dos Caminos and Luke Palladino at Harrah’s Resort.

Luke Palladino had its official ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday night, while Dos Caminos opened Memorial Day Weekend.

I had a chance to dine at both establishments over the weekend and both are presenting regional cuisine with flair and a great view. Dos Caminos presents modern Mexican cuisine and a gorgeous view of the bay. Luke Palladino at Harrah’s Resort features an open kitchen so you can watch the master chef offer up his personal take on Italian cuisine, steak and seafood.
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The popular Mexican restaurant chain Don Caminos, with four eateries in New York and one each in Las Vegas and Ft. Lauderdale, is coming to Harrah’s, opening May 25.

Go here for a story about a tasting event at the Viking Cooking School Tuesday, May 10.

Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City is in charge of the next wave of new restaurants headed to town by welcoming Stephen Hanson and B.R. Guest Restaurants into Harrah’s Resort and Caesars. The upcoming additions are Dos Caminos and Bill’s Bar & Burger at Harrah’s, and Atlantic Grill at Caesars.

Harrah’s popular Viking Cooking School will provide a sneak peek by presenting a restaurant preview series starring three dynamic chefs beginning May 10. Go here for the details.

Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City recently announced the addition of three Stephen Hanson/B.R. Guest Restaurants to Harrah’s Resort and Caesars Atlantic City family of dining establishments. The forthcoming additions include Dos Caminos, Atlantic Grill, and Bill’s Bar & Burger — all of which will open by this coming summer.

Bill's Bar & Burger at Rockafeller Center in NYC.

According to a media release, this will be the first time B.R. Guest restaurants will have a presence in Atlantic City, and is the company’s first partnership with Caesars Entertainment.
“The opening of  B.R. Guest restaurants at Harrah’s Resort and Caesars will continue to expand Atlantic City as a must-visit culinary destination,” says Jay Snowden, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Resort and Caesars Atlantic City, in the release.  “Stephen Hanson continues to innovate the restaurant industry through his emphasis on remarkable food and exceptional service and we are looking forward to bringing the B.R. Guest dining experience to our properties.”

“We look forward to bringing B.R. Guest restaurants to visitors and residents of Atlantic City,” says Hanson, president and founder of B.R. Guest Restaurants. “Guests of Caesars Entertainment expect an experience that truly stands out among the rest, and Dos Caminos, Atlantic Grill and Bill’s Bar and Burger are a collection of restaurants we are confident will be the perfect culinary fit to meet that expectation.”
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