New Mexican Restaurant Opens At MGM National Harbor

OXON HILL, MD — A new Mexican restaurant opened at MGM National Harbor, the casino announced Thursday. The indoor-outdoor venue, called Diablo’s Cantina, said it has a chic design and a lively environment overlooking the Potomac River.

Customers can dance to salsa tunes or DJ sets on the outdoor patio. The space also features a grilling counter where diners can watch the chefs cook.

The indoor setting centers around a large bar and "vibrant" works of art. Local artist Linny Giffin designed a colorful, hand-woven tapestry for the eatery.

Diablo's Cantina also has Las Vegas locations in The Mirage as well as Luxor Hotel & Casino. This is the establishment's first site on the East Coast.

"I’m honored to introduce this new dining concept to MGM National Harbor and the Capital Region," Executive Chef Alexis Samayoa stated in a press release. "[I] look forward to guests enjoying our creative renditions of classic Mexican dishes as well as the restaurant’s evolving nightlife experience."

Menu highlights include:

• "Starters
• Yucatan-Style Guacamole with mango, guajillo chili oil, cilantro and white onions
• Flaming Guacamole featuring habaneros, red onions and cilantro
• Multi-tiered Nachos sliced tableside revealing toasted tortilla chips layered with pickled jalapeño cheese sauce, pico de gallo, crema fresca, guacamole and choice of protein
• Street Tacos
• Al Pastor made with spit-roasted pork shoulder, cabbage and salsa verde
• Baja Style Fish Taco filled with battered cod, cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli and served with a flour tortilla
• Rajas & Mushroom is a vegetarian option featuring roasted peppers, onions, mushroom, cotija, pico de gallo and salsa verde
• Entradas
• Filet Mignon Alambre, a hearty dish filled with poblano peppers, mushrooms, red chimichurri, cilantro, rice and served with a flour tortilla
• Beef Barbacoa Enchiladas made with herbaceous slow-roasted brisket, crema fresca and mole poblano
• Shrimp Enchiladas served with chipotle tomato crema, jack cheese, crema fresca and roasted garlic
• Cocktails
• Diablo’s Cosmic Margarita presents a visually spectacular intergalactic twist with activated charcoal and glitter
• Let’s Go Tiki features a citrus rum with blood orange guava, lime juice and spicy pineapple soda served in a picturesque glass skull mug.
• Guests interested in exploring the sweet and smoky worlds of tequila and mezcal can choose from three flight options each including reposado, añejo, blanco and mezcal."

Diablo’s Cantina is open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Thursdays. The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. More information is available at mgmnationalharbor.com.

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