BAHA MAR ANNOUNCES FALL OPENING OF LEOLA, A NEW CULINARY DESTINATION BY CHEF SCOTT CONANT

The luxury Nassau resort reveals expansive new Italian dining concept created by celebrated chef, cookbook author, and TV personality

NASSAU, The Bahamas, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baha Mar, the Caribbean's leading integrated luxury resort in The Bahamas, is delighted to unveil its latest culinary destination: Leola, a new restaurant concept from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Scott Conant, opening this fall at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

Conant, the two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, celebrated cookbook author, and television personality sets a new benchmark for Italian dining with Leola, perfectly balancing soulful cuisine with glamour and approachable luxury to create a bold new standard for dining in The Bahamas.

"Baha Mar continues to define culinary excellence throughout the Caribbean, thanks to our outstanding restaurants and world-class chef partners," said Graeme Davis, President, Baha Mar. "For many years, Chef Scott Conant has been a passionate champion and valued friend of Baha Mar and we're honored to officially welcome him and his talented culinary team into our dining portfolio. We look forward to introducing Leola, Scott's newest original restaurant concept, to our resort guests and local residents this fall."

Set within an expansive 8,800 square foot space, Leola will offer a refined and immersive culinary experience featuring a 106 seat main dining room, an equally spacious 130 seat outdoor terrace, two bars and private dining room.

"Bringing Leola to life at Baha Mar is something I've dreamed about for a long time," said Chef Conant. "I've always been inspired by the beauty and spirit of the Bahamas, and it felt like the perfect place to create a restaurant that's both personal and inviting. With Leola, we're blending the kind of food and hospitality I love—warm, soulful, and rooted in connection."

The name Leola is Chef Conant's playful twist on leone, the Italian word for lion. It also serves as a heartfelt nod to his grandfather who often used the word with jovial affection throughout Conant's childhood.

Designed by Restoration Hardware, Leola evokes the elegance and allure of a 1920s Italian speakeasy while still being family-friendly. Guests will be transported to a bygone era through rich velvet furnishings, gilded detailing, ornate chandeliers, and warm, ambient lighting, creating an atmosphere that combines timelessness and modern sophistication.

The menu is a masterful celebration of classic Italian cuisine with contemporary flair. Each dish is crafted with precision and passion, highlighting the beauty of simplicity and the depth of traditional flavors. Standout offerings include Chef Conant's signature Pasta al Pomodoro, 'Ossobucco' Roasted Pork Shank with saffron polenta and stand-out sides like Roman-Style Artichokes with lemon aioli and mint pesto, all plated to perfection and designed to captivate both the palate and the eye.

The beverage program offers an extensive selection of Old World wines with an emphasis on Italian Barolo vintages in addition to a robust cocktail menu.

Leola is located on the casino level of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and joins other celebrated concepts such as the newly opened Jon Batiste's Jazz Club, Marcus Samuelsson's Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Daniel Boulud's Cafe Boulud, Dario Cecchini's Carna and more.

Chef Conant will also be featured at the Fourth Annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival this October 22-26 with three events: Tasting Tuscany with Scott Conant (hosted at Leola), Signature Chef Hosted Dinner with Scott Conant & Amanda Freitag (hosted at Leola) and Coconuts & Cocktails with Marcus Samuelsson, Scott Conant & Marv "Mr.Mix". He has been a champion of the highly anticipated 5-day event and participated every year since the festival's inception.

For more information on Baha Mar, visit: www.bahamar.com

About Baha Mar
Baha Mar is a master planned integrated resort development situated on 1,000 acres overlooking the world's famous Cable Beach. The white sand beach destination includes three global brand operators – Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood – over 2,300 rooms and more than 40 restaurants and lounges, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a state-of-the-art convention center, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Course, the Caribbean's first and only flagship ESPA spa, $200 million Baha Bay luxury water park, and over 30 luxury retail outlets. Baha Mar is a breathtaking location with dynamic programming, activities, and guest offerings in one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Bahamas. For more information and reservations, visit www.bahamar.com.

About Scott Conant
Scott Conant is a two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, cookbook author, and TV personality. With a career spanning more than 35 years, Conant brings a deft touch and unwavering passion to creating culinary experiences with thoughtful hospitality and soulful cuisine. His portfolio of acclaimed restaurants includes The Americano in Atlanta, Georgia, and Cellaio at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York. Conant has been a popular presence on Food Network as a recurring judge on Chopped since 2009 and frequent co-host on Beat Bobby Flay. Conant has published four cookbooks to date with the most recent one in 2021, Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef's Home Kitchen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
BERLINROSEN [email protected]

SOURCE Baha Mar