Michael And Bryan Voltaggio To Open Nostalgic Las Vegas Restaurant, Retro

Prepare to bid adieu to the iconic wine angels of Aureole, Chef Charlie Palmer's Las Vegas restaurant in MGM's Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The silver jumpsuited angels were quite a draw as they strapped into a harness and acrobatically maneuvered through the four-story, 10,000-bottle wine tower that's the eye-catching focus of Aureole, founded by Palmer in 1999, according to Eater Las Vegas.

All good things must end, however, and in the case of Aureole, it's to make room for a brand new project from the Voltaggio brothers, Michael and Bryan, who achieved perhaps their greatest fame when they competed against one another in the finals of Top Chef in 2009 (via WTOP News). Michael won that battle, by the way, though Bryan has gone on to become, as his brother puts it "the winningest 'Top Chef' contestant in the history of that franchise."

Moving forward, the brothers are looking back. Their new venture, a press release from MGM said, will be called Retro by Voltaggio, and it's stepping into the footprint left by James Beard Award-winning Chef Charlie Palmer when Aureole closes up shop in the coming months.

Slated to open sometime in Spring 2023, according to the release, Retro by Voltaggio is designed to celebrate what Michael calls the "unforgettable moments in music, fashion, movies, TV shows, food, and countless trends that swept the nation" during the 80s and 90s. The menu will feature new interpretations on classic dishes like Caesar salad, lobster thermidor, pot roast, and shrimp cocktail and guests can expect a number of shareable options.

As you'd expect from decadent Las Vegas, Retro by Voltaggio will include themed cocktails, curated art, entertainment, and music all designed to immerse diners in 80s and 90s nostalgia. Retro by Voltaggio is being billed as a one-year residence by the brother chefs taking over Aureole's expansive 9,000-square foot space, and points out that both Michael and Bryan have recently completed successful residencies at Mandalay Bay's sister resort, Bellagio (via Eater Las Vegas). The Voltaggio brothers both cite Chef Charlie Palmer as a major influence in their cooking and careers, according to MGM, and say, "Our promise is to maintain that level of first-class hospitality for which Chef Palmer and his legendary brands are known."