James Beard Award-Winning Chef Shawn McClain Opens Signature Pizza Bar in Las Vegas

James Beard award-winning chef Shawn McClain of ARIA Resort & Casino’s Sage Restaurant will debut his first casual concept, FIVE50 Pizza Bar, at the resort in spring 2013. McClain will put his twist on East Coast and Sicilian-style pizzas, paired with an impressive selection of craft beers.

What's in the name? 550 degrees (hence FIVE50) is the ideal temperature to cook your pizza to perfection, and the time when the pizza bar will celebrate a special happy hour offering daily. The chef’s signature crusts will be complemented by deep, rich and well-developed sauces, and then finished with premium cheeses and toppings. The restaurant also will feature small plates, handmade pastas, an artisanal charcuterie selection and decadent desserts. FIVE50’s beer program is designed to both impress connoisseurs and entice novices to explore.

“In searching for a pizza concept that would complement ARIA’s culinary portfolio, it was essential that the chef brought a new vision that would make the restaurant a standout,” said CityCenter Chief Executive Officer Bobby Baldwin. “When Chef McClain presented his version of today’s pizzeria, it was the match I was looking for. FIVE50 will showcase a completely different side to the acclaimed chef who has so quickly built a strong following in Las Vegas.”

Chef McClain added, “Pizza is something everyone can relate to; it spans cultures, eras, generations and is a true icon of food. I also happen to love pizza. So when the opportunity presented itself, I said ‘absolutely!’ Since then, the development of Five50 Pizza Bar has come to be one of the most exciting projects of my career. That said, the results will ultimately be determined by the way guests experience our restaurant…I look forward to opening!”

Designed by Rockwell Group, the space blends and captures the soul and warmth of the world’s most iconic pizzerias with the social energy of the greatest bar scenes. The space features built in wood-fired ovens, a central, high-energy bar, communal tables in a bustling dining room, and a walk-up slice counter for guests on the go. FIVE50 Pizza Bar will be open daily for lunch, dinner and late night.