Naxos Taverna at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of Sani Hebaj as its new Executive Chef, bringing his extensive culinary experience and fresh vision to the beloved Greek restaurant.
Chef Hebaj most recently helmed the kitchen at Villa Azur at The Venetian, where he combined the best of the South of France and East Coast flavors. Prior to that, he collaborated with restaurateur Todd English on a variety of projects, including launching The Beast at AREA15, and served as executive chef at some of New York City’s iconic venues, including The Plaza Hotel and Dabble at the Conrad New York Midtown.
Born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents, he was surrounded by the vibrant, diverse food culture of New York, igniting his lifelong passion for cooking. His culinary journey began at 15, washing dishes and making fresh mozzarella at a casual Upper East Side restaurant. After completing his culinary studies at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, he returned to New York, honing his skills at several renowned two- and three-star restaurants, earning accolades from The New York Times.
Chef Hebaj has unveiled a selection of new menu items, including:
- Pan-roasted Chilean sea bass with tomato, olive ($59)
- Spanakopita with Kefalograviera cream ($17)
- Lavraki with green tomato, scallion, dill, lemon, olive oil ($19)
- Tuno crudo with yogurt glykopikros ($19)
- Souvlakia sta Karvouna for two with filet mignon, chicken, vegetables, tzatziki, muhammara, greek trio and fresh pita ($110)
“Chef Sani’s passion and creativity are a perfect fit for Naxos Taverna, and we’re thrilled to have him leading the kitchen,” said Louis Abin, founder of Naxos Taverna and founder of Ironbound Projects. “His expertise brings a fresh energy to our team, and we’re excited for our guests to experience his vision on the plate.”
Naxos Taverna is open for dinner daily from 5-10 p.m., lunch Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit naxosredrock.com and follow on Instagram at @naxos.taverna.
