Turning Stone Resort Casino has engaged the services of Elizabeth Blau, founder of the acclaimed strategic restaurant planning company Blau + Associates of Las Vegas, to partner in bringing new, dynamic and world-class dining choices to Central New York.

The first move of this partnership converts private dining room Club 2.1 to "TS Steakhouse", which will open to the public on the 21st floor of the Turning Stone Tower Hotel, offering beautiful panoramic views of the Central New York countryside.

Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter said, “We recently completed a comprehensive market study to learn what our community wants most, and guests overwhelmingly told us that they want new and exciting dining experiences right here in Central New York. When I thought of the best culinary options in the world, I immediately went to Las Vegas to bring Elizabeth's expertise to Turning Stone to help us deliver what our guests, and our community, want to enjoy.”

Blau served a key role in helping transform Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination. Blau was Vice President of Restaurant Development for Steve Wynn’s Mirage Resorts, and she worked with Wynn management to create an unrivaled food and beverage program at Wynn Las Vegas. She has also served as a judge on Food Network’s Iron Chef America and has been featured on the Travel Channel and the Martha Stewart Show.

Blau + Associates’ client list is a who’s who of the best culinary experiences in the country, including Ritz Carlton Hotels and Resorts, Wynn Resorts, Trump Casinos, Celebrity Cruises, Destination Hotels and Resorts, the Kor Group, One and Only Resorts, Montage Resorts, Paragon Gaming, and Viceroy Hotels and Resorts, among many others.

Elizabeth Blau said, “When I met with Ray Halbritter, I saw everything that he has accomplished so far with Turning Stone and heard his vision for what else he wants to deliver to the Resort’s guests. I went to Cornell University, so I was especially enthusiastic to be a part of his team that’s bringing Las Vegas standards and experiences to Central New York."

Halbritter added, “TS Steakhouse is the first of several projects with Elizabeth to take our dining experiences to a higher, more exciting level. TS Steakhouse will elevate the Resort’s tradition of culinary excellence with the finest cuts of meat and exquisite seafood. All of this comes in an unparalleled setting with breathtaking views from the tallest building between Albany and Syracuse."

The restaurant is on track for a fall opening and will replace Club 2.1 as well as Turning Stone’s current steakhouse, Forest Grill.

For more on Blau + Associates, visit http://www.elizabethblau.com/.

About Turning Stone Resort Casino
A premier four-season, destination resort in Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Syracuse at NYS Thruway exit 33. Turning Stone was named “Most Excellent Golf Resort” in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens. The Academy of Country Music named Turning Stone “Casino of the Year” in 2009. The resort offers world-class gaming, golf, entertainment, accommodations and spa facilities, and has earned AAA Four Diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant. For more information and reservations, call (315) 361-7711 or (800) 771-7711. Visit the web site at www.TurningStone.com.