IP Casino, Resort, Spa in Biloxi, Miss. opened its chic new restaurant, Carnaval De Brasil, in August. Formerly known as Imperial Palace, the IP Casino Resort was damaged by Hurricane Katrina and has undergone a complete metamorphosis. Designed by Friedmutter and Associates and directed by Roy Anderson Corporation, KHS&S assisted in this process by completing both the interior and exterior renovations, including this high-end, distinctive restaurant.
“We worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting last September. All three floors on the gaming barge, half of the hotel tower, and all of the common areas were open by Dec. 22, 2005. It was quite an accomplishment, and all the while, we worked on other property projects as well. We think the crËme de la crËme is the new restaurant, Carnaval de Brasil, where meats are prepared in authentic churrascaria fashion and served by gauchos (waiters) rodizio style on skewers right at the table. It’s an amazing and unique experience,” said Dan Casey, KHS&S senior vice president.
Aesthetically pleasing, the restaurant’s focal point is a 120-foot rock, water, and fire wall entirely constructed by KHS&S Contractors. “This is a unique feature wall that you won’t find anywhere else in the country. The double-sided stone wall looks like an old, collapsed mine. It has fourteen 4x7 Pyrex, fire-box, natural gas flames that come on and off, based on a theatrical computer program. Water cascades over the face of the fire boxes concurrently with the flames.”
John Levy and Associates assisted with the light fixtures. “The ceilings are fabric with Triton chandeliers. They did a marvelous job, and it is some of the nicest lighting you’ll ever see; it really sets the ambiance of the room,” Casey said.
The entryway complements the restaurant with an environmental theme. Casey noted: “The entry water feature was made with Onyx and beautiful stalagmites. With a thunderstorm theme, the feature goes from sunlight, to rain, to thunder, including sound and cascading water.
“Two lava tubes with fire, water, and sound lead into the entry for the VIP dining area. The private dining area has a six-foot wide stone fireplace. Everything was constructed to look like a veranda from a Brazilian ranch, to really make a guest feel that they are experiencing Brazilian authenticity,” Casey added.
Casey described a few of the subtle features that will enhance the customers’ dining experience. “There is the Tapas bar where appetizers are served from an open fire. All the food is presented on carousels that spin like the earth does on its axis, with different cuts of meat.”
Recently, IP owners and management, alongside the architects, Friedmutter Group, announced the new construction of phase III, which should increase restaurant, entertainment, and gaming amenities. From top to bottom, IP trustees, Jeff Cooper and Owen Nitz spared no expense; total cost of the entire project thus far is well in excess of $100 million. “Serving as a part of this team has been one of the highlights of my career,” Casey said.
Key Players
IP Trustees: Jeff Cooper and W. Owen Nitz
General Contractors: KHS&S Contractors
Architects and Designers: Friedmutter Group
Project Management: Roy Anderson Corporation