James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Mina opened his newest gastronomic experience Orla inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
This is Chef Mina's first culinary concept exploring his Egyptian roots. It's his story incorporating a unique crossing of cuisines from his childhood in Cairo. The menu features a beautiful blend of flavors from the Mediterranean to the Middle East with wood charcoal-grilled meat, fish and pasta.
“Orla is a culmination of my culinary evolution, a fusion of personal recipes that echo the flavors and aromas of my childhood in Egypt. It encapsulates the warmth, charm and vibrant hospitality of Mediterranean culture that has shaped my life and career,” said Chef Mina. “I can’t wait for guests to experience a taste of what has influenced my life’s work.”
Chef Mina has over 30 restaurants in his MINA Group, a San Francisco-based restaurant management company specializing in developing and operating innovative full-service dining concepts.
He has been a featured guest chef at the James Beard House and has prepared lavish meals for three U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Orla is his newest one-of-a-kind, chef-driven dining concept that showcases the best of food, wine, and spirits, as well as impeccable service.
Orla's menu focuses on shared plates with a Greek-centric flair. Interactive tableside experiences include pickle and bread service. Besides a hot and cold mezze plate for starters, there are a variety of grains and pasta dishes and a wide selection of fish market delights.
Fresh seafood specialties include grilled orange swordfish, za'atar cured wild king salmon with lemon tzatziki, salt-baked sea bream, charcoal grilled octopus and oven-roasted red snapper.
Middle Eastern favorites include a kebab platter displaying chicken 'oyster' kofta skewers, tangerine labneh and smoked eggplant dip. Other charcoal-grilled meats include succulent lamb shank and spice-roasted Rohan duck.
Finish with a Greek frozen yogurt sundae cart rolled to the table. This sweet finale dazzles with 24K golden thyme honey, toasted pistachios and a generous amount of labneh frozen yogurt.
Orla offers one of Las Vegas' most extensive wine collections curated by Mina Group's Director of Wine Jeremy Shanker. Complementing Mina's guests can select from more than 1,600 labels, focusing on wineries throughout the Mediterranean region including Lebanon, Santorini, Croatia, Sicily and Corsica. Some vintages date back to as early as the 1940s.
There is also an inventive bar program that explores a variety of tantalizing flavor profiles, including citrus, herbs and spices. The Sorrento is made with Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, hibiscus, melon, Sevilla orange, lemon and honey. There is also the Rio Spritz made with Aperol, elderflower, passion fruit, Prosecco and Fever Tree soda.
Chuck Bowling, Mandalay Bay’s President and COO, said, “Orla’s opening adds another exciting dimension to Mandalay Bay’s New Wave, in which we’re introducing a variety of new amenities and attractions for our guests. Chef Mina’s exceptional talent has given birth to a stunning restaurant and we’re proud to continue our successful relationship with the talented Mina team.”
Set on 120 acres, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino offers 3,211 luxury rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical design. Guests enjoy a topical setting around the pool with sand. There is a Shark Reef Aquarium, award-winning restaurants, such as Orla, entertainment and array of shopping venues.
The resort is part of MGM Resorts International offering three distinct hotel experiences. Besides Mandalay Bay, there is also the Four Seasons Hotel with 424 rooms and suites, and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas.
