Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill Closes in November to Make Way for His New Italian Restaurant

Blockbuster news out of Caesars Palace. After 16 years, chef Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill with its stellar weekend brunch, southwestern fare, and killer burger closes at Caesars Palace after service on November 14 to make way for Amalfi by Bobby Flay.

Flay’s new restaurant, opening in spring 2021, brings a cuisine the Iron Chef says he’s passionate about. “Food in Amalfi is known for two things, the fish that comes out of the water and pasta,Flay says in a press statement. “I want to bring the best of the region to Caesars Palace, and every dish that is served at the all-new Amalfi will evoke the flavors and feel of Italy.”

This marks Flay’s first Italian restaurant, inspired by the chef’s travels to the Amalfi coast in Italy. The menu spans whole fresh fish and pastas to lighter antipasti. A fishmonger will oversee a fish and seafood display. Flay is already teasing green tomato risotto with sea scallops and Osteria caviar; a lobster pasta with yellow tomatoes, basil, and Calabrian chiles; spaghetti with sea urchin and tomato; and paccheri with scorpion fish, cherry tomatoes, and green garlic.

Olivia Jane Design & Interiors will create the look of Amalfi with a natural palate and greenery throughout he bar and lounge, the grille in the main dining room, the market room, and a private dining room. “We’ve been designing this restaurant every day during the quarantine,” Flay tells the Today show.

Flay originally opened Mesa Grill in New York City in 1991 and expanded to Caesars Palace in 2004. Over the years, the restaurant served three million diners and donated more than $135,000 to Three Square Food Bank.

“Mesa Grill has meant so much to me over these last 16 years, but it’s important to evolve and stay ahead of the curve, especially in Las Vegas,” Flay says in a press statement. “The team and I are excited for this next chapter, and we know our loyal guests will love the new experience we have planned.”

Update: Flay tells the Today show that Mesa Grill will return to Las Vegas, but he’s not ready to announce where yet.

Mesa Grill is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 to 11:30 p.m., with weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Must order dishes include a tiger shrimp with roasted corn tamale, New Mexican spice rubbed pork tenderloin and ancho chile-honey-glazed salmon.

Flay also has Bobby’s Burger Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. His seafood restaurant Shark opened last year at the Palms, which remains closed.

• All Coverage of Mesa Grill [ELV]

• Every Restaurant and Bar That Closed in Las Vegas: 2020 Edition [ELV]