Tao Group Opens Italian Eatery Luchini & Speakeasy Chez Bippy At MGM Grand

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

Tao Group Hospitality has done it again — and by ‘it’ I mean have another surefire hit on their hands with the openings of eatery Luchini and speakeasy Chez Bippy at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Luchini offers a refreshing take on a classic Italian American restaurant inspired by the flavors of New York, while Chez Bippy serves up craft cocktails. An adjacent pizza-by-the-slice shop echoes classic tri-state pizza parlors with a counter up front serving a variety of pizza offerings for those seeking a quick snack on the go or to satisfy a post-concert craving.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

Helmed by Tao Group Hospitality’s Chief Culinary Officer, Ralph Scamardella, the menu at Luchini is highlighted by handmade pasta, pizzas, salads, and timeless dishes. Offerings include classics such as Pesto Rigatoni and Penne alla Rosa, and Sunday Gravy featuring braciole, meatballs, beef short ribs, pork belly, and sausage. Branzino Acqua Pazza with white wine, olives, cherry tomatoes, and potatoes, and Seafood Fra Diavolo, consisting of lobster, shrimp, mussels, calamari, clams, Calabrian chili, and tomato will appeal to pescatarians while carnivores will discover hearty grill offerings, including a Grigliata Mista complete with lamb chops, skirt steak, sausages, chicken, pork and ribs.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

The pizza parlor features slices and whole pies, available in round or consigliere square options. Choose from daily specials or time-honored varieties such as cheese, pepperoni of funghi misti. Nutella Profiteroles, Italian American Cheesecake, and an Apricot Meringa Cake with white chocolate spuma and apricot conserva are just a few of the sweets highlighting the dessert offerings.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

Luchini’s cocktail menu is bright and approachable with variations of classics imbued with an Italian twist, utilizing citrus, herbs, bitters, and liqueurs synonymous with Italian cuisine and cocktail culture, such as the Amalfitano, a spritz with Malfy Gin, Italicus Liqueur, lemon, peach and soda, and the Bronx Noir featuring Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Averna Amaro, Mission Fig, and chocolate bitters. An expansive wine list complements the cocktail offerings.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

As a collaborative effort between Tao Group Hospitality and Rockwell Group, the destination transports a Brooklyn-style eatery to Las Vegas. Blackened metal, brick, black and white mosaic tile floors, antique mirrors, and vaulted ceilings portray a sense of patina and history, while pops of hunter green via tile-clad columns, delicate wood screens, and millwork bring a touch of West Coast freshness to the 240-seat restaurant. Retro elements such as globe pendants, a checkerboard floor, and marquee signage adorn the slice shop, with 24 seats for those grabbing a quick bite.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

Hidden inside is Chez Bippy, a moody, intimate space highlighted by red velvet drapes and bronze arched mirrors line the walls, while gold banquettes offer lush seating. Playful fringe adorns glowing pendants above the bar and a ruffled chandelier with a disco ball draws centers the hidden destination.

Photo Credit: Michael Kleinberg

The speakeasy showcases craft cocktails such as the Fellini, with Bulleit Bourbon, Campari, Barolo Chinato Cocchi, Vanilla-Anise Tincture, Pizeele and hickory smoke, and the Martini Classico, with pepperoncini-infused Absolut Elyx vodka, Dolin dry vermouth, and a Castelvetrano olive-caper brine.