(Photo by Melissa Reese | SpyOnVegas.com)

Marklen Kennedy, the Light Group’s vice president of customer development has left the fold to develop his own company. Kennedy has been with the Light Group since 2001, working his way from VIP host to director of VIP marketing to his most recent position.

By Jason Scavone

Yesterday might not have been a good day for everyone in the nightlife industry, but it sure was a banner day for Light Group, which not only announced the forthcoming opening of yet another restaurant, Yellowtail at the Bellagio, but also the sale of half the company to Dubai-based Zabeel Investments, a move which will position the nightclub and restaurant developer to expand its presence across the United States and internationally.

Light already operates a number of venues in Las Vegas, such as The Bank nightclub, Caramel Bar & Lounge and Fix Restaurant & Bar, and in addition to Yellowtail, is also opening a new eatery in the Monte Carlo this spring, Brand Steakhouse. The company, owned by founder Andrew Sasson, will also manage the green-minded Harmon Hotel in Las Vegas.

Zabeel, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al-Maktoum, one of the sons of the ruler of Dubai, bought interest in Light Group to develop the hospitality industry in the United Arab Emirates and the surrounding region, according to a statement from Zabeel’s executive chairperson.

By Pj Perez

Light Group continues its culinary takeover of Las Vegas this summer when it opens its latest restaurant venture, Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar, at the Bellagio. Replacing the space formerly occupied by Shintaro, Yellowtail will further build Light’s dominance of the Bellagio, as it will be located in close proximity to Caramel, Fix and The Bank.

In addition to offering a stunning view of the Bellagio’s world-famous lake and fancing fountains, Yellowtail also will offer a dazzling Japanese menu, featuring both traditional and modern selections created by award-winning chef Akira Back. A multi-course Omakase menu will afford diners the opportunity to sample the chef’s best creations in small portions.

As with Light’s other culinary ventures, ambiance is an important element of Yellowtail’s design, and New York-based Rockwell Group is ensuring its elegant wood and stone décor lends to both a vibrant and intimate atmosphere in the restaurant, which includes a 180-seat dining room, 30-seat lounge and 30-seat private dining room. The key design element of the space is a 25-by-13-foot bronze installation at the entrance resembling the dorsal side of Yellowtail’s namesake. Click for more words and pictures »

By Pj Perez

So, yesterday we reported all about the forthcoming ode to all things beef coming to the Monte Carlo Hotel and Fire Hazard, Brand Steakhouse.

Well, today, the fine people at the Light Group sent us the above rendering of the sure-to-be-popular restaurant and lounge. While this early image doesn’t accurately reflect what the final product will look like, it does beg the question: What’s up with the creepy cut-and-pasted models the designers placed all around the drawing? Is anyone else weirded out by that? OK, fine, it’s just us.

By Pj Perez

One of Las Vegas’ premier hospitality and lifestyle development teams, The Light Group, is at it again, this time around with its forthcoming meat-lovers paradise, Brand Steakhouse. One part steakhouse and one part lounge (welcome to the century of the hybrid), the fine dining destination is set to open in April at Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, where the group already manages the hellish hotspot, Diablo’s Cantina.

Brand, hoping to set the standard for contemporary American steakhouses, is sure to satisfy the taste buds with another peerless menu created by Light Group’s Executive Chef Brian Massie (the man behind the restaurant-bar combos Fix and Stack). The 5,000-square-foot dining room and adjacent lounge will also share in the super-sexy ambiance and nightlife-like atmosphere of Fix and Stack, as the award-winning firm Graft Lab is once again in charge of the design. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jessica Acuña