Several new restaurants open in South Point, others have been resurrected

special to viewSteak fajitas from Baja Miguel?s at South Point sizzle on the skillet. The restaurant was brought back last year. Advertisement

Signs throughout the South Point reveal that new restaurants have opened throughout the property. Some are new to the casino, and others have been resurrected.

Baja Miguel's, a traditional Mexican eatery, was present at the casino's grand opening two years ago, but when Michael Gaughan bought the property in late 2006, it was closed to make room for Michael's gourmet room.

"There were always plans to bring Baja Miguel's back," said Tom Jannarone, director of food operations.

The cantina now is located on the second floor mezzanine, along with Miguel's Tequila Bar.

Elpidio "Pete" Solis manages the restaurant, and Jesus Aguirre is the room chef. Both Solis and Aguirre come from The Orleans' Don Miguel's, which Gaughan owned until 2004.

Baja Miguel's features endless chips and salsa, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, chimichangas and fajitas. Lunch and dinner entree prices range from $8.95 to $12.95.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 11 until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Also located on the second floor mezzanine is the newest addition to the South Point dining family, Primarily Prime Rib. The menu is kept simple with four prime rib cuts and chicken and seafood dishes that executive chef Chris Johns calls comfort food.

Staff from The Orleans' Prime Rib Loft has followed Gaughan to South Point, as well. Primarily Prime Rib is managed by Shafqaat Bukari, and the room chef is Salvador Arreola, who was the assistant room chef for six years.

"When the staff had the chance to work for Michael again, they jumped at it," said Courtney Fitzgerald, director of public relations.

Meals, including the South Point cut prime rib, range from $11.95 to $17.95.

Primarily Prime Rib is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Silverado Steakhouse, Don Vito's Italian Restaurant, the Big Sur Oyster Bar, the Garden Buffet and the Coronado Cafe have been available since the casino opened two years ago.

Some menu items and the food quality is different since Gaughan took over, Johns said. Beef is shipped directly from Nebraska and aged on-site, and mozzarella is made fresh.

The chef said the buffet presents a specific challenge.

"We have to change the buffet menu because some people come in four times a week," Johns said. "On the Strip, people go in once or twice and they don't ever change the menu."

To keep up with the demand, there is a Sunday brunch, Monday steak night, Wednesday prime rib night and Friday seafood night in addition to the six live cooking stations that offer Asian, Mexican, Italian, barbecue, Chinese and seafood dishes.

Prices range from $5.95 for breakfast to $16.95 for seafood night.

The Coronado Cafe is open 24 hours and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a full Chinese menu from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m.

The restaurants in the South Point are a collection of Gaughan's favorites, Jannarone said.

The Big Sur Oyster Bar has seafood classics, such as clam chowder and crab cakes, and a few surprises, like lobster grilled cheese.

The oyster bar is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday though Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Don Vito's Italian restaurant features garlic crusted sea bass, spinach and cheese ravioli, and chicken Marsala. Menu items range from $3.95 to $28.95. The restaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.

The Silverado Steakhouse has lobster bisque, filet mignon, rib-eye, New York strip steaks, pork chops, lamb and seafood dishes.

Items are priced from $6 to $34, and entrees come with a house salad and baked potato.

The steakhouse is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.

The South Point is at 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South. For more information, visit www.southpointcasino.com.