A Whole New Level of Dining: Mosaic at Harrahs Joliet

Something must be said when host of the PBS television series "Mexico, One Plate at a Time" and owner of Chicago's award winning Frontera Grill and Topolobampo restaurants Rick Bayless appears at the opening celebration of a new casino restaurant. Bayless made a personal appearance to prepare a selection of his specialty dishes and to sign copies of his new book, "Mexican Everyday."

This is indication that the newly opened casino restaurant, the Mosaic at Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel is not just another restaurant on the block. It's an imaginative, unique, upscale yet casual dining venue. Stepping into it would make even casino high rollers from Las Vegas feel right at home.

Located in Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel pavilion, the restaurant seats 225 diners and features an open kitchen and an enchanting panoramic views of the Des Plaines River. The décor is a combination of rich wood tones and contemporary art inspired accents.

The menu is the brainchild of award-winning executive chef Lam Vongsakoun, honor graduate of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University. The menu consists of over 80 dishes, many of which are Tex-Mex and Asian inspired.

Even the appetizers are a unique experience in itself. An example of his appetizer creations is the caramelized country cornbread served in a mini-skillet with honey butter and sweet molasses. The appetizers range in price from $5.50 to $8.95.

Mosaic house specialties include Lam's Spicy Chicken (fried chicken breasts with Mosaic's Szechwan sauce served with a bowl of steamed rice) and BBQ Meat Loaf stuffed with Cheddar cheese and mushrooms, topped with honey chipotle BBQ sauce and served with garlic mashed potatoes and crispy onion strings. Entrée prices range from $8.95 to $25.95.

Dessert offerings include the Key Lime Martini (graham cracker crust and fresh key lime curd with candied limes and chantilly whipped cream) and the Oreo Cookie Insanity (vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two Oreo cookies and topped with caramel and chocolate sauces). All desserts are priced at $6.95.

Mosaic is adjacent to another new and exciting Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel entertainment experience, the ultra-bar and lounge Sheer specializing in martinis and signature cocktails.

The new dining experience offered by Harrah's should provide a whole new level of dining experience that will appeal to gambler's and non-gamblers alike. The restaurant is open seven days a week (4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays). Phone (800) 688-5476 for reservations.