sexual harassment

Mario Batali’s 3 Las Vegas Restaurants Will Close

Joe Bastianich (left) and Mario Batali. Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Eataly Downtown

The fallout for the B&B Hospitality Group continues, following the news this week that Mario Batali will have his stake in the company bought out by July 1, as well as confirmation from the NYPD that there is an active investigation into allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted women in 2004 and 2005.

Today, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that B&B Hospitality Group’s three Vegas restaurants — CarneVino Italian Steakhouse, B&B Ristorante, and Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria — located in the Venetian and Palazzo hotels will all shutter on July 27. The decision will affect an estimated 298 employees.

In a letter to employees, B&B partner Joe Bastianich says the decision came after business partner Las Vegas Sands Corp., which owns the hotels, decided to “end our relationship.” He continued, “I am committed to continuing our presence in Las Vegas. I am beginning to explore options, but it will take some time to execute them.”

Las Vegas Sands Corp. officials told the Review-Journal that the decision to end its relationship with B&B came before this past weekend’s damning 60 Minutes report. They say, however, that they will help the nearly 300 employees apply for any open positions within the company.

Mario Batali’s 3 Las Vegas Restaurants Will Close