MGM Nets a Late-Night Noodle Bar Right on Its Casino Floor

Starting tonight, MGM National Harbor will entice gamblers on its casino floor with a nighttime noodle bar that keeps soups and sake flowing until as late as 2 a.m.

The 28-seat carbs counter all dressed up in roulette red and black is named Noodle Bar by Ginger as a nod to its pan-Asian parent restaurant that’s operated at the foot of MGM’s atrium since day one. Noodle Bar by Ginger’s daily hours are Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. (101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, Md.).

Ginger’s sleek new sister spot situated near slots will send out seated guests Hong Kong-style wonton soup ($16.88); fiery Taiwanese braised beef soup ($16.88); and Korean-style oxtail soup ($28.88). Other menu highlights include Sichuan spicy dumplings ($12.88), dan dan noodles with ground pork ($16.88), and Vietnamese beef pho ($16.88).

The bar is also licensed to pour bottles of sake, rum-heavy tiki cocktails like a Mai Tai and Zombie, Tsingtao beer, and wines by the glass.

MGM National Harbor/official photo

The 308-room resort’s newly named is executive chef Anthony Cieplinski, who relocated from MGM’s Gold Strike Casino Resort in Mississippi in April. He replaces Jason Johnston, a Bellagio alum who parted ways with the high-stakes world to open his dream pizza parlor Ballston Local.

MGM’s dining scene will get an additional boost next week with the anticipated arrival of Diablo’s Cantina, a lively taco-and-tequila destination born on the Las Vegas strip. The margarita-slinging Mexican venue’s first East Coast location slides into the soaring space formerly occupied by Fish by José Andrés,

Diablo’s Cantina/official photo

• MGM National Harbor’s Next Big Restaurant Is a Tequila-Pouring Mexican Spot From Vegas [EDC]
• José Andrés’s Casino-Based Seafood Restaurant Will Close Next Week [EDC]