Wolfgang Puck Exits the MGM

**Lowell** · May-06-12, 04:17 PM

I think. An ambiguous quote below says "Construction on a new restaurant reportedly will begin the same day." A new Wolfgang Puck or another restaurant? I tend to think the latter and, if so, too bad; it was a good restaurant.

This is a little different from our usual conversations about the comings and goings of restaurants and their relationship to the health of Detroit or a neighborhood. Closed away with a captive audience inside a divorced-from-reality world I am wondering if they were just too high class for the setting.

Wolfgang Puck to shut Detroit restaurant
By Shawn D. Lewis

Detroit —The Wolfgang Puck Grille, one of the MGM Grand's signature restaurants, will no longer take reservations after Mother's Day, May 13.

The restaurant officially closes its doors that day, according to restaurant hostess Lazelle Ransom. Construction on a new restaurant reportedly will begin the same day.
Source >>

**401don** · May-06-12, 05:32 PM

Too bad, I liked it. It was more reasonably priced than the other 2 signature restaurants, which may have been the problem - less of a mark-up meant they needed more volume. Even MGM, the most successful of the 3 casinos, cannot support 3 high end restaurants in this market, especially with more competition from Ohio on the way. Just look at the reduced hours. They will probably change to some sort of sports bar.

**DetroitPlanner** · May-06-12, 09:47 PM

Maybe they can get a Hooters or an Olive Garden!

Occurrence · May-06-12, 11:12 PM

What is Wolfgang puck? I don't get it.

**jerrytimes** · May-06-12, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Occurrence

What is Wolfgang puck? I don't get it.

That is a trandy restaurant that is only in buisness because of a man and his TV show. The place was nice but the food didn't impress me. I'm very interested in the new restaurant. Maybe a CARLS!!!! I wish.

**nain rouge** · May-06-12, 11:31 PM

If I knew there was a Wolfgang Puck I would've ate there! That's why the casinos should integrate with the surrounding streets more. I feel like Puck could have gotten more business if people were able to easily walk in straight from the sidewalk.

Occurrence · May-06-12, 11:44 PM

Oh, he's a chef.

Ehh, all that crap is more over-priced than Slows.

**CLAUDE G** · May-07-12, 01:55 AM

I was there 2 months ago. The idea was to go there and eat, and not spend any money at the Casino.

Needless to say they had a 45 minute wait, and while I was waiting I ended up making a donation to the casino.

I had a good time, but the food was not that great. I would have been better off going to Troy and eating at Ruth Chris.

**Zacha341** · May-07-12, 07:08 AM

Yeah, in my opinion casino restaurants have a certain taint to them. I know the servers are often not tipped as they have the 'comp' crowd to contend with who only eat because they can for, umm, 'free' and have not a dime to spare due to their vain contributions out on the casino floor before they went into the restaurant. As a rules I don't eat at casino restaurants.

Originally Posted by nain rouge

If I knew there was a Wolfgang Puck I would've ate there! That's why the casinos should integrate with the surrounding streets more. I feel like Puck could have gotten more business if people were able to easily walk in straight from the sidewalk.

**Zacha341** · May-07-12, 07:11 AM

Detroit casino food tends to be of reduced quality compared to the same food at that same restaurant elsewhere. They have a captive audience ala the 'comp' crowd and the waits are longer in that environment.

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

Needless to say they had a 45 minute wait, and while I was waiting I ended up making a donation to the casino.

I had a good time, but the food was not that great. I would have been better off going to Troy and eating at Ruth Chris.

**Bham1982** · May-07-12, 08:11 AM

I thought this place was pretty decent, but yeah, it was expensive, and casino restaurants never feel elegant. Casinos have a trashy feel no matter what they do.

I always assumed fancy casino restaurants were loss leaders, or filled their tables through comped guests. I can't imagine folks going on a fancy anniversary dinner by winding through a depressinng gauntlet of chain smoking + oxygen tank customers.

**swingline** · May-07-12, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by nain rouge

If I knew there was a Wolfgang Puck I would've ate there! That's why the casinos should integrate with the surrounding streets more. I feel like Puck could have gotten more business if people were able to easily walk in straight from the sidewalk.

Wolfgang Puck restaurant was accessible just off the hotel lobby. No need to brave the casino cacophony. Dined there 3x over the years. Excellent each time. Expensive, but not painfully so.

This closing is really unfortunate. The Wolfgang Puck brand lent some national credibility to the Detroit casino scene. [[MGM is still doing well with Michael Mina associated with the two remaininng fine dining choices.)

**mfehan** · May-07-12, 10:16 AM

I just ate there last night after hearing of the closing. Although the food is rather expensive but there are a number of items on the menu that I enjoy. I didn't want to bring up the fact that they were closing with the bartender but after our meal she let us know that they were closing and that we might want to come in at least once more before then.

According to her they are closing on Sunday and will re-open in the fall as a...... 401don guessed it, a sports bar.

**poobert** · May-07-12, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

I thought this place was pretty decent, but yeah, it was expensive, and casino restaurants never feel elegant. Casinos have a trashy feel no matter what they do.

I thought I was alone in feeling that way, and I've never been to a casino restaurant because of it. I don't mind gambling but the casinos feel so repressive. I like to relax when I go out to eat, not feel like I'm in prison. Also, while the Detroit casinos were never classy they seem to be a lot shabbier these days, or maybe it's just the crowd...

**Zacha341** · May-08-12, 10:41 AM

Hah! Chain smoking and oxygen tanks 'side by side' [[what does the city fire marshall say about that? Nothing, apparently!). High volumne cash exchange allowances barters alot of descretion indeed.

MGM Casino offers that 'cheeful' vision coupled in general with the sullen downtrodden countenances of most of the loosers, um-eh, I meant to say 'gamers'.

And of some the food servers in that thing they call their buffet and that little food joint near the front were they serve that fried junk, dull Chinese and those burgers from hades! I stopped going a few years back now...

Originally Posted by Bham1982

...I can't imagine folks going on a fancy anniversary dinner by winding through a depressing gauntlet of chain smoking + oxygen tank customers.

**Danny** · May-08-12, 11:58 AM

Adieu! Wolfgang took a gamble on his precious five star restaurant in a doom and gloom city and lost! Now he can start all over in Europe from scratch.

Let's hope The Roost in the Westin Cadillac Hotel doesn't fail!

**canuck** · May-08-12, 07:44 PM

Dont worry about it, Gordon Ramsay put his stamp on the old Laurier BBQ restaurant in Montreal early last year but got kicked out by the principal owner because he didnt show up often enough for the money he was raking in. So, the owner just took the sign down, and put the old one back up.

Just give us some decent food, and fewer star chefs. Detroit can do better than Wolfpack Bung.