mmacdonnell@enigmagrouplv.com

 

Press:

Master mixologist Michael MacDonnell OF ENIGMA GROUP appointed Fontainebleau Miami Beach Director of Beverage

MIAMI – (July, 2008) – Fontainebleau Miami Beach has named renowned master mixologist Michael MacDonnell Director of Beverage for the iconic resort. Currently undergoing a spectacular $1 billion rebirth, the 22-acre Fontainebleau will debut this fall with 11 new restaurants and lounges and catering support for 200,000 square feet of meeting, pre-function and outdoor function space. 

Most recently, MacDonnell served as Director of Beverage for The Light Group, a leading hospitality development and management company. There, he acted as Beverage Specialist for numerous venues at Las Vegas properties such as Bellagio Resort & Casino, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino and Treasure Island Hotel & Casino. He also is the Owner and President of Enigma Group Inc., a beverage consulting firm.

At Fontainebleau Miami Beach, MacDonnell will conceptualize the beverage program specific to each of the resort’s food and beverage venues. He will create a core list of cocktails to feature seasonally and yearly, utilizing the newest local and global cocktail trends and product lines. MacDonnell also is responsible for training team members on the cocktail universe.

MacDonnell has received numerous award and accolades. He is a member of the International Bartenders Guild, a Certified Tequila Master and member of the American Whiskey Group.  One of MacDonnell’s creations, the “Passionate O,” was awarded “Top Ten Cocktails in the U.S.” by Penthouse Magazine.    

“We’re excited to bring someone of Michael’s caliber to Fontainebleau as our master mixologist,” said Bryan O’Shields, Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage for Fontainebleau Resorts. “His technical expertise, creative abilities and commitment to perfection are superior and will be a great addition to our emerging team of world-class food and beverage professionals.”Fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the new 1504-room resort’s most distinguishing features will include two new towers; a 40,000-square-foot spa; and dramatic oceanfront poolscape featuring a free-form pool shaped as a re-interpretation of Lapidus’ signature bow-tie design.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach will bring together noted chefs and designers to create dining destinations that are both dramatic and extraordinarily diverse. The resort will feature eleven inviting food and entertainment venues, including three signature restaurants highlighting well-known, internationally acclaimed chefs.  
 

THE LIGHT GROUP RECRUITS MICHAEL MACDONNELL OF ENIGMA GROUP

LAS VEGAS - APRIL 2007 - Industry veteran Michael MacDonnell brings nearly two decades of experience to his position as the beverage director for The Light Group.  MacDonnell is responsible for creating hand-crafted cocktails and selecting unusual beers and wines for The Light Group’s broad portfolio of restaurants and nightlife destinations, including The Bank Nightclub, FIX Restaurant & Bar and Caramel Bar & Lounge at Bellagio; JET Nightclub, STACK Restaurant & Bar and Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage; Mist at Treasure Island; and Diablo’s Cantina at Monte Carlo.  Additionally, MacDonnell is creating an extensive red wine list for the spring opening of BRAND Steakhouse & Lounge at Monte Carlo, and a proprietary sake and shochu selection for Yellowtail Restaurant & Sushi Bar, scheduled to open in June at the Bellagio.

MacDonnell approaches each beverage program differently, creating cocktails, beer and wine selections to match the menus and moods at each of The Light Groups diverse venues, including a tequila flight program at Diablo’s Cantina; small batch bourbons and artisan whiskeys at BRAND Steakhouse & Lounge; and rare sakes and shochu for Yellowtail Restaurant & Sushi Bar.  A true believer in the art of the classic cocktail, MacDonnell reinterprets them by adding fresh juices and muddled fruits to appeal to a modern audience.  For example, he upgrades the Cosmopolitan with white cranberry juice, makes a Mojito with fresh pineapple, muddled limes and fresh mint, and dresses up tequila cocktails with fresh blackberries and raspberries.

A Southern California native, MacDonnell’s tenure in Las Vegas includes overseeing the beverage programs at New York New York, Revolution Lounge at the Mirage, and The Olive Group at Bellagio.  MacDonnell credits the book Cocktails, by Paul Harrington, for shaping his approach and inspiration and carries the philosophy on crafting drinks that “will have guests returning.”  One of MacDonnell’s creations, the “Passionate O,” was named one of the “Top Ten Cocktails in the U.S.” by Penthouse magazine and Playboy.com featured MacDonnell as an expert on Tequila for The Style 101 section.