LAS VEGAS – Chef Emeril Lagasse has officially expanded his culinary footprint in Southern Nevada with the opening of Meril at M Resort Spa Casino. Named after his daughter, Meril is Lagasse’s highly anticipated casual neighborhood concept, marking its monumental debut as the first restaurant of its caliber from a celebrity chef in the Henderson area.
As the brightest and largest restaurant footprint within M Resort, the new Contemporary American venue represents a dramatic departure from traditional, enclosed casino dining. The space is purposefully designed to bridge indoor sophistication with the beauty of the surrounding desert. The vibrant, 220-seat main dining room is fully wrapped in dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the venue with natural light. Guests can also step outside onto a large, wrap-around terrace offering premium outdoor balcony seating. Overlooking the award-winning M Pool, this expansive terrace provides diners with spectacular, sweeping views of the desert sky and the world-famous Las Vegas Boulevard.
“Bringing Meril to Las Vegas is incredibly personal to me, and opening this concept in Henderson makes it even more meaningful,” said Chef Emeril Lagasse in a statement. “Meril is a bright, energetic restaurant inspired by the places I’ve traveled and the dishes my family and I love to eat. It’s also named after my daughter, Meril, so this restaurant has always carried a piece of my heart. We’re excited to bring our New Orleans hospitality, bold flavors, and a welcoming neighborhood dining experience to the Henderson community.”
“For years, our guests have expressed a desire for a sophisticated, celebrity-chef-driven dining experience right here in Henderson, without the hassle of traveling to the Strip,” said Hussain Mahrous, Vice President and General Manager of M Resort. “Opening Meril fulfills that promise in a spectacular way. Partnering with a culinary icon like Emeril Lagasse allows us to elevate the off-Strip dining landscape entirely. This stunning, sun-drenched space is the largest restaurant in our portfolio, and we are confident it will become the premier all-day culinary destination for the entire valley.”
The highly anticipated debut was commemorated on Tuesday, July 14, with an exclusive ribbon-cutting celebration. Chef Emeril Lagasse personally welcomed a VIP crowd of local dignitaries, executives, and invited guests, offering a first look at the stunning space and a taste of the vibrant New Orleans-inspired hospitality now available to the Henderson community.
Unlike typical resort venues, Meril will serve as a premier culinary hub from sunrise to sunset, offering meticulously crafted menus tailored for breakfast, lunch, and dinner:
- Sunrise & Breakfast Favorites: Transitioning daytime dining into a true destination, the morning menu features Andouille Sausage Potato Hash with a poached egg and housemade Worcestershire, Bananas Foster French Toast with candied pecans, and classic New Orleans Beignets served fresh in a bag with confectioners’ sugar. Guests can also opt for elegant Eggs Benedict on a housemade English muffin or a lineup of nutrient-rich blended beverages like the Green Smoothie.
- Vibrant Lunch & Dinner Small Plates: Rooted in New Orleans flair and global inspirations, the main menu highlights dynamic, shareable small plates. Signature snacks include Pineapple Upside-Down Cornbread with bacon marmalade and House Boudin Balls with pepper jack and creole mustard. Standout small plates feature Gulf Yellowfin Tuna Bundles with a jalapeño truffle ponzu and classic Barbequed Shrimp.
- Substantial Mains & Flatbreads: For a more robust meal, guests can enjoy artisanal flatbreads like the Wise Guy (Italian sausage, piquillo peppers, chili), a rich Shrimp & Andouille Gumbo, Blue Crab Linguine, or a lavish Seasonal Seafood Boil overflowing with shrimp, mussels, clams, and andouille sausage.
The restaurant’s design pairs modern coastal sophistication with upscale desert living. The light-filled interior blends cool coastal tones with intricate, custom mosaic tile flooring that weaves throughout the venue. Anchoring the lively lounge space is a show-stopping, custom-built centerpiece bar—offering the perfect, energetic atmosphere to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail before or after dining.
Paying homage to the concept’s roots and its namesake, the walls of Meril feature a curated collection of vibrant artwork inspired by the soul of New Orleans. Adding an intimate, personal touch to the design are two hand-drawn pieces by Chef Emeril’s daughter, Meril, seamlessly blending family legacy with the restaurant’s contemporary aesthetic.
Complementing the versatile all-day menu is an extensive beverage lineup highlighted by “Meril Standards.” Guests can sip on creative cocktails such as The Lushie (a seasonally influenced frozen concoction), the Indigo French 75 (Empress gin, lemon, and sparkling wine), and Hi-Thymes in NOLA (Dos Hombres mezcal, strawberry purée, and hibiscus thyme syrup). The beverage program also features a curated fine wine list and a robust selection of draft and bottled craft beers.
To cap off the dining experience, Meril’s dedicated dessert menu showcases decadent treats like Emeril’s legendary Banana Cream Pie with caramel sauce and chocolate shavings, Rocky Road Bread Pudding, and Grand Marnier Tiramisu. These pair beautifully with specialized “Night Caps” like the Carondelet Carajillo (Licor 43 and espresso) or Meril’s Irish Channel Coffee.
Hours and Reservations
Reservations are now open. Restaurant hours are Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, event updates, and to view full menus, please visit themresort.com/dining/
