Michael Mina Debuts Bardot Brasserie at Aria

James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina celebrated the grand opening of Bardot Brasserie at Aria on Thursday. Parisian-inspired cuisine, cocktails and entertainment highlighted the night as chef Mina and team debuted his newest restaurant and first French concept in Las Vegas.

A number of prominent chefs joined chef Mina for the festivities, including Shawn McClain of Sage and FIVE50 Pizza Bar, Yusho Japanese Grill & Noodle House’s Matthias Merges, Bellagio executive chef Edmund Wong and Brian Howard, formerly of Comme Ca.

Those behind the magic included Bardot executive chef Josh Smith, Aria vice president of food and beverage Ari Kastrati, Aria president and CEO Bobby Baldwin and Mina Group president Patric Yumul.

Paris-inspired entertainment set the mood, including a live jazz band, a comical over-imbibed mime and caricature artists, along with a photo booth and beret-sporting models. Bardot’s eye-catching, aged brass bar served drinks such as its signature And God Created Woman and Voltaire cocktails.

Guests experienced a night of French extravagance on the Las Vegas Strip beginning by being greeted with a red carpet, made by the train of a rose-covered Parisian model’s dress. The event featured cuisine such as Mina’s foie gras parfait, an extravagant raw bar and a charcuterie display. Passed hors d’oeuvres included miniature versions of Bardot signature dishes, including the croque Madame and warm beet and goat cheese salad as well as the chocolate macaron, the crème caramel and the lemon meringue tart.

Michael Mina’s Bardot Brasserie opens tonight at Aria.

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