La Salsa Debuts "Restaurant/Cantina" Concept in Las Vegas

Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, Inc.
Contact: Robert Black or Frank Groff

Amidst the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, La Salsa debuted its newest full-service "restaurant/cantinas" at the Strip's famed Aladdin Hotel and Casino and Downtown's Neonopolis at Fremont Street Experience. Owned and operated by Nevada Franchise LLC, La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare specializes in fresh versions of traditional Mexican fare and offers full bars featuring 40 premium tequilas, specialty rum drinks, wine and a full compliment of Mexican beers. In homage to its signature "Margarita by the yard," an actual yard-long flask filled with the award-winning libation, the exterior design of La Salsas' 200-seat Aladdin and 118-seat Neonopolis locations incorporate 25-foot-tall illuminated Margarita flasks complete with straw, salted rim and four-foot lime wedge.

"We're delighted to have launched La Salsa's new Cantina concept in the spectacular Aladdin Hotel and Casino and the Neonopolis at Fremont Street Experience," said Kevin Osborn, president of La Salsa Franchise, Inc., which is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. "Under the leadership of Lawrence T. Simon, La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare's flask is sure to become the area's most recognized logo as well as come to mark the regions most popular destinations for those seeking fine, fresh Mexican fare and festive cocktails."

Added Simon, whose agreement with La Salsa Franchise Inc. calls for the development of 10 restaurants in the greater Las Vegas area, "What better locations at which to mark our debuts than a pair of Las Vegas' most dynamic properties -- the Aladdin Hotel and Casino and Neonopolis, which is sure to become Downtown's hottest new destination for dining and entertainment."

The new Cantina concept offers diners sizzling platters of shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas; several versions of their well-known burrito; several entree-sized salads; a 12-ounce chipotle sirloin steak that is marinated, grilled and topped with smoked peppers and Provolone cheese; Pollo Monterey, a grilled marinated chicken breast topped with sauteed green and red peppers, onions, avocados and cheddar and Jack cheeses; and Acapulco Pasta Primavera, penne pasta tossed in a zesty chile-lime sauce and topped with peppers, fresh tomatoes, Cotija cheese and strips of either chicken or shrimp. Desserts including the decadent "Nuttin Better Than Brownies and Ice Cream" and the frozen Margarita Pie are available. Entree prices range from $8.95 to $19.95.

The Aladdin Hotel and Casino bears the distinction of being the only resort in Las Vegas history to survive its decimation -- it was imploded in 1998 and then rebuilt. The new 200-seat La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare will be situated in the Desert Passage Shops at the Aladdin Resort & Casino. For reservations or for more information about La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, call (702) 892-0645.

The new Neonopolis at Fremont Street Experience is a 250,000-square-foot downtown Las Vegas development featuring an eclectic mix of restaurants, retail establishments and a 14-screen, state-of-the-art theater complex. The 118-seat La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare is located at 450 Fremont Street near the intersection of Fourth Street. For reservations or more information about La Salsa Cantina Mexican Fare at Neonopolis, call (702) 384-1720.