Taza spices up Caesars Windsor
Caesars Windsor is banking on customers with adventurous tastebuds, with Taza, a new restaurant offering Middle Eastern cuisine.
“We have the steak house, we have the Market Buffet, but something so specific is something our customers have asked for,” said Jhoan Bayulot, a spokeswoman for the casino.
Taza opened on May 1, moving in to the location formerly occupied by the Augustus Cafe. The small restaurant in the Augustus Lobby gets foot traffic from people going in and out of the hotel and events at the Colosseum, making it a magnet for families and people looking for a quick, convenient bite.
Given the clientele, the obvious choice would have been something safe and familiar. But Bayulot said research indicated customers were interested in something different — without alienating the staunch steak and potatoes crowd.
Owner Abe Taqtaq has toned down the spices compared with Taza’s South Windsor location, and expanded the menu to include items such as hamburgers and pizza, but he’s betting he can woo customers with fried kibbie and baba ghanouj.
Lebanese food is “where we started on Cabana, and that’s what we want to focus on here. But we do want to provide a little bit larger menu, more variety,” Taqtaq said.
The food on offer at the grand opening was mild without being bland. Crispy falafel, creamy humus and puffy pita bread accompanied shish kebab and shish tawook (grilled beef tenderloin and chicken breast on skewers).
Unlike the other restaurants at the casino, Taza is independently owned and operated, leasing the space from Caesars. Bayulot said that arrangement has worked well with Estetica Spa and gives Caesars the flexibility to find an experienced vendor who can assemble and manage his own team.
“We wanted to go with someone who’s an expert in their field,” she said. “They’ve tried and tested it at their own restaurant.”
Taqtaq, is on the Enwin Energy board and operates Tunnel Duty Free Shop, said he never expected to add a second Taza to his already full plate. “I’ve done business with Caesars Windsor for many years. It kind of just fit.”