Last month, the Hakkasan Group opened Ling Ling, on the Greek island of Mykonos.  Inspired by the Japanese “Izakaya” concept (a drinking establishment where the food accompanies the cocktails), Ling Ling is a dynamic social experience, ideal for the island lifestyle and late-night antics.  Designed to be an experience that evolves over the course of the evening, Ling Ling takes the guest from dining, to drinking, to dancing; in no particular order – making Mykonos the perfect setting for the open-air restaurant and bar with private dining room and lounge.

Now, you’re probably thinking “This sounds great, Shulman; but I’m in Las Vegas, with no plans to visit the Greek Islands, anytime soon.”  To this I have two things to say.  First, “That’s a shame, and if you get the chance, you really should.”  And second, “Ah, but it ties-in to Las Vegas, because that’s the way the Hakkasan Group (and I) roll.”

You see, being based, here, in Fabulous Las Vegas, it just makes sense that the Hakkasan Group would conceive of a clever tie-in for those of us living La Vegas Loca, this summer.  As such, Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon has created a pair of limited edition Ling Ling menus, available to guests of Hakkasan Las Vegas.  A prix fixe menu ($45), guests select one of two options – MEAT & SEAFOOD, or FISH & SEAFOOD. 

Rather like Cantonese tapas, the Ling Ling menus feature a quartet of dishes, served on one long plate.  The MEAT & SEAFOOD menu comes with Crispy Duck Salad with Pomegranate, Smoked Beef Short Rib, Stir-fry Scallop with XO Sauce, and Spicy Prawn with Lily Bulb and Almond; while the FISH & SEAFOOD menu comes with Crispy Pumpkin Salad with Mountain Yam, Grilled Seabass with Chinese Honey, Steamed Chinese Chives Dumpling, and Stir-Fry Asparagus with Lotus Root.  For dessert, guests are served a Macaroon Trio (in Rose, Yuzu, and Violet-flavors), on a bed of Roasted Coconut Shavings.  And, in keeping with the Izakaya concept, Hakkasan’s mixologists have created the very tasty Ling Ling Collins (with Jinzu Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, lemon, grapefruit, and cranberry juices, and elderflower syrup).

And because getting there is half the fun, I have to give credit where credit is due, and applaud the efforts of the Hakkasan Group in adding to the ease of entry to both of their venues at the MGM Grand (Hakkasan Restaurant and Nightclub and Wet Republic Ultra Pool).  Both venues have built special, dedicated valets that have revolutionized the simplicity of entry and egress, making them much more desirable to Las Vegas locals, as well as guests from other properties. In the case of Hakkasan, it is located past the main valet, and to the right, along West Tropicana Avenue, facing The New Tropicana Las Vegas, across the bustling thoroughfare.  Once inside, one enters a very chic lounge, filled with fresh, potted Phalaenopsis Orchid plants.  There’s a large plasma-screen monitor, on the wall, playing the live-feed from the camera placed above the door, so that if one arrives before one’s guests, one can wait for said guests in air-conditioned comfort, until they arrive.  Once the group has assembled, a short trek down another hallway leads guests to a door that opens right next to the MGM Poker Room, adjacent to the entrance of Hakkasan.  Easy peasy, and sexy in a posh, space-aged kind of way.

Limited Edition LING LING Menus
Hakkasan Las Vegas | MGM Grand
Click HERE for info

Get into it!