Andre’s Bistro & Bar closes, future uncertain

Andre Rochat’s restaurant brand has ended in Southern Nevada after 38 years.

As previously reported, Andre’s Bistro & Bar unexpectedly closed this week, leaving a simple sign on the door announcing a remodeling project. Rochat said Wednesday that he had sent the owners a cease-and-desist letter demanding they stop using his name on the restaurant. Executive chef Chris Bulen resigned following the closure.

Representatives of the restaurant did not comment on the cease-and-desist letter and were unable to provide any details on the restaurant’s future.

Andre’s Bistro & Bar opened in early 2017, not long after the closure of Andre’s at the Monte Carlo and less than a year before the shuttering of Rochat’s Alize atop the Palms. The neighborhood spot was intended to serve as a tribute to the pioneering chef’s legacy, which dated to 1980, when Andre’s French Restaurant opened downtown. That location closed on New Year’s Eve in 2008.

Rochat returned to Las Vegas recently after some years away, including a stint in Thailand, and said Wednesday he is chef at the Spanish Trail Country Club.

The bistro and bar at 6115 S. Fort Apache Road didn’t have any involvement from Rochat beyond his name, some of his recipes and many of the employees who had worked for him over the years. The deal to use his name apparently soured over time.

Because of the dispute, Bulen said plans already were underway to re-brand the restaurant when one of the partners made the decision Sunday night to close and post the sign. He said the two things were “not necessarily related,” and that he and partner Joe Marsco were not involved in the decision.

“Joe and I were made aware early Monday morning that the restaurant had been closed, locks had been changed, paper put in the windows and a sign saying ‘Closed for Renovations’ had been put up,” he said.

Bulen, who spent more than a decade working at Rochat’s restaurants, resigned Wednesday. He says he’s looking for new employment for several members of his team.

Food

More News

‘Sad to see it go’: Innovative Area15 venue closing at the end of the month
‘Sad to see it go’: Innovative Area15 venue closing at the end of the month
in News

Lost Spirits Distillery at Area15 achieved innovation, but ran in the red too long to survive.

Why do many Las Vegas casinos skip floors 40-49?
Why do many Las Vegas casinos skip floors 40-49?

Most Americans might be used to hotels missing a 13th floor, but why do some ca...

What casino games give players the best odds at winning?
What casino games give players the best odds at winning?

While sections of libraries are filled with all kinds of books about strategies...

Recent News

Bring the whole clan for fun, food, and relaxation
Bring the whole clan for fun, food, and relaxation

Families are the focus at Tahiti Village. The all-suites resort has the space, activities, and great dining options to offer something for everyone.

By Tahiti Village
Ely Duck Creek Lodge is a truly special place for guests to enjoy
Ely Duck Creek Lodge is a truly special place for guests to enjoy

Ely Duck Creek Lodge gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area in a comfortable and spacious house.

By Ely Duck Creek Lodge
As a veteran-owned gym, Coast2Coast fitness offers an elite experience in a peaceful environment
As a veteran-owned gym, Coast2Coast fitness offers an elite experience in a peaceful environment

Coast2Coast Fitness is a veteran-owned, private neighborhood gym with a Fitness Center and a new Performance Training Center where people experience a wide range of activities and achieve their personal goals in a comfortable environment.

Must Read Articles

Pediatric Dental Office Makes Each Visit Great for Kids
Pediatric Dental Office Makes Each Visit Great for Kids

Desert Kids Dental provides children with a kid-friendly experience that eases their fears and even allows for their visit to be fun, ensuring they will want to keep returning.

By Desert Kids Dental
Strip skyline dresses up with Super Bowl ads, projection mapping — PHOTOS
Strip skyline dresses up with Super Bowl ads, projection mapping — PHOTOS

Corporations are changing the Strip’s skyline with large hotel advertising during Super Bowl 58 week that may be seen by broadcast viewers during Sunday’s game.