Restaurant and Parking changes also announced
“Mountain Breeze” Zone
Celebrating a major opening in its dynamic emergence as the Southeast’s premier resort destination, the newly transformed Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel announces the debut of a new, high-energy Entertainment Lounge and gaming expansion.
Creating a youthful, energetic mood, the 175-seat Entertainment Lounge is the focal point in the property’s Mountain Breeze zone, one of four themed zones of the casino, which is soon to be doubled in size as part of its $633 million expansion. The Mountain Breeze zone is characterized by rich, striking colors, strobe lighting and pulsating music. More than 700 new games are being added to this zone, with the new 3,000-plus seat Events Center on its upper level set to open Labor Day weekend.
The Entertainment Lounge features live music on Wednesday through Saturday nights and a variety of stimulating bar top games. Music will include a rotating roster of entertainment for adults of all ages and interests. With 33 plasma-screen TV’s, a 13-foot over-the-stage projector, and concert-level audio, guests will also be able to enjoy sporting events and music videos. The Lounge will be open from 11 am to 2 am daily, with full bar service including a comprehensive wine list, full complement of premium liquors, specialty cocktails, and domestic and imported beers by the bottle and on tap. To accompany the bar offerings, Harrah’s chefs have created an eclectic Entertainment Lounge menu of tantalizing hors d’oeuvres, light dishes and desserts.
For the balance of July, except July 22, 23 and 30, the Entertainment Lounge will host live Karaoke every Wednesday night from 8 pm to midnight, Dueling Pianos on Thursday nights from 8 pm to midnight, and live bands on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 pm to 1:30 am. The Ultimate Elvis Competition will take over the Entertainment Lounge on July 22 and 23. The Ultimate Elvis finals will take place in the Ballroom on July 24 at 7:30 pm. On Friday, July 30, Terry Lee and the GT’s will perform in the Lounge from 10 pm to 1:30 am.
“With the opening of our Entertainment Lounge and the expansion of the casino, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel is entering an important phase of its transformation into a major resort destination” commented Darold Londo, Senior Vice President and General Manager. “The variety of performers scheduled to appear will give our guests reason to return again and again.”
When the transformation is complete, guests at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel will pass through four distinct zones, each of which evokes a different theme and mood through lighting, music, signage and other amenities. The zones will be identified as “Mountain Breeze”, where the Entertainment Lounge and Events Center are located, “Woodland Moon” where the Rotunda will take shape, “River Valley”, an elegant zone for VIP players and Asian gaming, and “Earth Water” for those who prefer a more traditional casino setting.
Restaurant Changes
As part of the expansion for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel, several food 
outlets will close in order to begin the construction of the Paula Deen Restaurant, which is expected to open late 2010, or early 2011. A temporary restaurant “Over the Creek” will open in what is now the Oak & Hickory Rooms of the Hotel Ballroom.
Sycamores Restaurant – Closing July 26
Selu Garden Café – Closing Aug. 1
Over the Creek Restaurant – Opens Aug. 6 at 5:00pm
Over the Creek will feature breakfast and dinner buffets. Guests also will be able to purchase various ala carte options, including grilled country ham steak with red-eye gravy, patio steak with woodland mushrooms and broiled pork chops with roasted spiced apples for breakfast, and fried shrimp, BBQ baby back ribs, steaks, chicken and pork chops for dinner.
For breakfast, the buffet will feature fresh seasonal fruit, biscuits and gravy, grits, fresh breads and muffins, warm cinnamon sticky buns, Danish, croissants, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and more! There’ll also be “Omelets Your Way” and chef carving stations.
For dinner, the buffet will include a full salad bar, chef carving station, pasta bar and hot bar featuring: roast beef, pulled pork, fried chicken, baked salmon, rice, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and a variety of vegetables.
New Casino Parking Deck
The new casino parking deck is now open and provides direct access to the casino floor. When entering the main casino entrance at the Hwy 19 intersection, bear right and follow the new signage to the perimeter road on the left side of the casino, which will take you to the 4th level entrance of the parking deck.
Source: Harrah’s Cherokee release
