Jun 24, 2025 | Food & Beverage
The property expands its culinary portfolio with bold new concepts from trusted chefs and hospitality leaders
UNCASVILLE, CT (June 23, 2025) – Mohegan Sun, where world-class entertainment, elevated hospitality and so much more come together under one roof, is delivering a fresh take on destination dining with the introduction of four new venues: The Farm Italy, Beauty & Essex, The Shed Restaurant and SIFT Bake Shop & A.T.Y Bar & Bonbons. Developed in partnership with renowned chefs and hospitality experts, these new offerings solidify Mohegan Sun’s status as a foodie-centric getaway. Each has been designed with the modern traveler in mind, blending standout cuisine and striking design, with easy access to nightlife and entertainment just steps away.
“These openings reflect the depth, creativity and ambition we’re bringing to our culinary strategy,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “From a speakeasy-style supper club to a bakery from a James Beard semifinalist, these concepts have added renewed energy to our destination and are giving guests even more reasons to choose Mohegan Sun.”
The Farm Italy: Design-Led Italian Cuisine Anchored by Scratch Cooking
Led by John Tunney and his accomplished restaurant group, The Farm Italy pays homage to traditional Italian aesthetics with sculptural archways, imported greenery and statement lighting that frames the marble-clad bar and colonnaded dining room.
The kitchen is equally impressive: pastas are house-made, sauces simmered from scratch, and dishes like the Pappardelle Bolognese, Branzino and Cacio e Pepe deliver a refined take on regional comfort fare. A specialty cocktail list rooted in Italian tradition delivers options such as the Strawberry Basil Aperol Spritz and Nero Old Manhattan. Reservations can be made at mohegansun.com/farmitaly[MN1] .
Beauty & Essex: Cult-Favorite Supper Club Arrives in Connecticut
Mohegan Sun is the first property outside a major metro area to house Beauty & Essex, the culinary experience from TAO Group Hospitality and Chef Chris Santos. Discreetly hidden behind a working pawn shop, the space opens into a multi-room arrangement where Japanese whisky, vintage guitars, and glam speakeasy energy collide.
The menu showcases globally inspired dishes with a twist, including the Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Dumplings, Wagyu Steak Tartare and Gochujang Salmon. The cocktail program features playful signatures such as the Ice Spice, featuring Mohegan Sun’s exclusive Patrón Reposado, and Earl the Pearl, a crisp vodka-and-tea infusion that balances elegance and edge. Guests can also enjoy brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with unique offerings like Red Velvet Waffles and Croque Madame Benedict. Reservations are available up to 30 days in advance at mohegansun.com/beauty.
The Shed: Casual Comfort Food with a Chef-Driven Twist
Now open in Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Earth, The Shed’s first Connecticut location delivers the ambiance that its fans love most: a bright, beach-inspired setting and a menu that spans indulgent to healthy. Helmed by Chef Roberto Baez, the concept introduces a casual-yet-refined eatery designed for guests seeking a high-quality meal in a laid-back setting.
Designed to meet today’s evolving tastes, The Shed provides a fully customizable vegan menu. Diners can enjoy daily brunch service, featuring crowd-pleasers like Chicken & Waffles with habanero honey and Arugula Benedict with chipotle hollandaise.
SIFT Bake Shop & A.T.Y Bar & Bonbons: Award-Winning Pastries and a Bold New Cocktail Experience
Chef Adam Young, a James Beard semifinalist and Food Network’s “Best Baker in America,” brings his coastal Connecticut cult-favorite bakery, SIFT, to Mohegan Sun. Created with his wife and co-owner, Ebbie Young, the expansion reflects their shared vision of bringing “a little delight to everyone,” a hospitality-first approach that has defined the SIFT brand since the couple opened their first bakery in Mystic nearly a decade ago.
The Mohegan Sun location also marks the debut of A.T.Y Bar & Bonbons, an adjacent boutique cocktail and dessert bar presented by Grey Goose. SIFT’s hand-laminated pastries, including the acclaimed Chocolate Croissant, Opera Cake and Pecan Sticky Bun, are made fresh daily. At A.T.Y, guests can enjoy small plates like a dip trio with toasted baguette, alongside hand-crafted cocktails and chocolate bonbons finished with meticulous detail.
Reservations and details about Mohegan Sun’s more than 40 dining venues can be found at mohegansun.com/dining.
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ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
Media Contact:
Cody Chapman
Director of Public Relations
Mohegan
[email protected]
May 30, 2025 | Food & Beverage, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (May 30, 2025) – A beloved culinary landmark at Mohegan Sun enters an exciting new chapter as The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun officially opens today at 4:00pm. Located in the heart of Casino of the Earth, the celebrated Ballo Italian space has been completely reimagined—ushering in a new era of Italian dining under the continued leadership of restaurateur John Tunney and his acclaimed culinary, design, and operations team. Reservations can be made at mohegansun.com/farmitaly!
While the architectural grandeur of Ballo Italian remains intact, The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun reveals a breathtaking transformation—evoking the rustic elegance of an Italian countryside estate. With artful décor, custom designed lighting, imported trees and a refined menu steeped in the traditions and seasonality of Italian cuisine, the new concept blends sophistication with rustic elegance. The space will also feature a stunning bar and dining space that offers a dramatic visual experience, anchored by a series of towering, gold-accented archways casting a warm glow over the marble bar and custom white-upholstered barstools that invite guests to linger. The dining area is framed by arched colonnades, textured brick walls, and strategically placed greenery. The architecture subtly divides the space, creating cozy alcoves and natural partitions that lend a sense of privacy without isolation—ideal for intimate dinners, quiet conversations, or semi-private gatherings.
“The transformation of Ballo Italian into The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun is a true evolution of everything we love about Italian food and hospitality,” says owner John Tunney. “We’ve taken the passion and spirit behind The Farm Italy and infused it into a space that has meant so much to so many. It’s not just a redesign—it’s a reawakening. We’re beyond excited to welcome guests into this next chapter.”
Whether guests are hosting a celebratory dinner, an executive event, or a discreet evening out, this space has been designed to evoke comfort, connection, and luxury in every detail. This is more than a restaurant—it’s a retreat and a showpiece of elevated hospitality.
With its unwavering commitment to scratch-made dishes, seasonal ingredients, and genuine hospitality, The Farm Italy has earned national acclaim—including recognition as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. A standout on New York’s dining scene, The Farm Italy now joins Mohegan Sun’s exclusive new culinary lineup, neighboring its recently opened sister concept in the Casino of the Earth, The Shed Restaurant—an all-day brunch destination that has quickly become a must-visit at Mohegan Sun.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to unveil the new Farm Italy Mohegan Sun” -said Jeff Hamilton, President of Mohegan Sun. “Classic BALLO dishes like the Chicken Parmesan The Fritto Misto remain, while there is a variety of new and desliscoius scratch-made options on the menu. Combine that with the beautiful transformation that has brought Farm Italy Mohegan Sun to life, and you have a truly special and refreshed dining experience that we’re really excited about.”
At the heart of the experience is a menu rooted in tradition and elevated by craft. Each meal is recommended to begin with the house-baked bread, served warm and finished with premium olive oil, fragrant herbs, and sea salt. Signature dishes include:
- Branzino – A delicate filet served with burro bianco, lemon, and broccolini.
- Pappardelle Bolognese – Rich beef ragù over fresh pappardelle with a dollop of ricotta.
- Chicken Parmesan – Crispy house-made cutlet with mozzarella, pecorino, pomodoro, and fresh basil.
- Cacio e Pepe – A Roman classic featuring bucatini, cracked black pepper, and aged pecorino.
- Double R Ranch NY Strip Steak – A 16 oz. prime steak finished with saba char.
The bar program showcases a curated list of signature cocktails and elevated mocktails, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and Italian-inspired flair. Highlights include:
- Blood Orange Margarita – Fresno chili-infused tequila with blood orange, lime, and basil salt rim.
- Nero Old Manhattan – A deep, layered blend of Angel’s Envy bourbon, Amaro di Rucola, amerena cherry and angostura bitters.
- Strawberry Basil Aperol Spritz – A fresh take on the classic, topped with Prosecco and herbs.
- farmItaly Lemonade – A fresh summery cocktail with Malfy Limon Gin, Tito’s and Fresh Basil
Favorite Mocktails Include:
- Espresso Shakerato – Non-Alcoholic: Espresso, demerara syrup, vanilla, fee foam
- Cucumber Spritz Mocktail – Non-Alcoholic: A light, effervescent blend of cucumber, mint, ginger beer, and soda.
With its elevated cuisine, immersive design, and heartfelt hospitality, The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun is poised to redefine Italian dining in Connecticut.
Reservations are now open and expected to be in high demand. Be among the first to experience this extraordinary culinary destination. For additional information, visit thefarmitaly.com/mohegansun.
The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun will be open for Dinner 7 Days a Week:
Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday: 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 3:00pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 3:00pm – 9:00pm
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
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