Dining in Southeastern Connecticut will reach new heights when Chef Michael Schlow's acclaimed Italian restaurant Alta Strada opens at the highly anticipated MGM Grand at Foxwoods next spring. The first of many celebrated chefs slated to join the hotel's culinary scene, Schlow's new restaurant is expected to bring excitement, style and a large fan base when it debuts.

"We are extremely excited to have Michael Schlow lead the way in helping to build the MGM Grand at Foxwoods into a dining destination for our guests," said John O'Brien, president of Foxwoods Resort Casino. "His reputation as one of the leading chefs in the United States will help define and shape the hotel's dining landscape."

Providing a distinctive design for the 8,000-square-foot restaurant is Boston-based David McMahon Associates, designers of Schlow's first Alta Strada restaurant in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Blending traditional Italian flair with modern elegance, the 225-seat restaurant will offer both indoor and outdoor seating and a menu filled with tantalizing Italian favorites from Homemade Ricotta with Sage, Hot Pepper and Crostini to Chittara with Spicy Lobster and Fresh Peas, as well as Grilled Lamb Chops with Asparagus, Potato and Pickled Onion Salad.

Upon entering the restaurant, guests will be transported into an authentic Italian trattoria/wine bar where they can enjoy a relaxed, casual setting and lighter fare such as antipasti, pizza, salads and pasta. The main dining room, with its 25-foot ceilings, offers a more elaborate menu, as well as an open exhibition kitchen, a six-seat "antipasti counter," a chef's table and a 20-person private dining room. Alta Strada will also feature a beautiful 1,300-square-foot outdoor Mediterranean grill where guests can dine "al fresco" while taking in the Connecticut countryside. The restaurant will be open seven days per week for lunch and dinner.

"Partnering with MGM Grand at Foxwoods allows me to realize a dream - create a new, exciting restaurant in a new, exciting destination," said Michael Schlow. "The bar is constantly being raised when it comes to dining in gaming destinations, and we're thrilled to initiate this trend at the MGM Grand."

Michael Schlow, executive chef and co-owner of Radius, Via Matta, Great Bay and Alta Strada, is considered one of the leading chefs in the United States. He has garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the James Beard Award of Excellence for "Best Chef in the Northeast," Santé magazine's "Chef of the Year," Food & Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs" and the "Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence," handed out to only six chefs per year. These accolades have helped solidify Schlow's culinary reputation and have brought him to national attention. He has made numerous television appearances on network and cable food programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America and The CBS Morning Show, and his presence is requested at some of the most prestigious culinary events including The Masters of Food and Wine in Carmel, CA, The World Culinary Summit in Dubai and the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore.