Casino Watch

Sturdy mid-winter tradition Sun Wine & Food Fest makes merry again at 21

Mohegan Sun Casino's 21st Wine & Food Fest continues to shine in 2025 for hundreds of visitors who enjoy a mid-winter respite from political trauma, cabin fever, the cold and dark winter, not to mention the bustle of holidays and Connecticut's highways where speed kills and bullies run rampant.

From Connecticut and Massachusetts and Long Island they come in droves Jan. 23-26, ogling not only gamblers shuffling about the betting floor but the coiffed "influencers" of social media who never met a selfie they didn't like and who wield LED lamps to properly illuminate food and drink items for hungry followers. (Tik Tok or not.)

We enjoyed a visit to this mid-winter staple of a festival with a Friday event, Suntory's Asian Market, at the Earth Ballroom -- featuring "street food-style fare" and paired cocktails -- and the Friday evening preview to Saturday's Grand Tasting, which is typically a lower-priced version of the Grand Tasting at the massive Expo Center.

For years now, SWFF has been as much about other spirits as it is of wine. We spied and sipped various versions of our favorite one, bourbon, as we perused displays of tequila, beer, vodka, rye, rum and (not our favorite) spiked seltzers. There was a food spice seller along with other non-beverage vendors. Designated drivers and Dry January folks heeding the latest health warnings about alcohol had fewer  choices to sip but there were sodas and even orange juice available at the Asian Market to go with super-tasty food bites there.

Speaking of cuisine, a piece of news from the weekend is that Tao Group Hospitality (which opened the upscale Tao restaurant at Mohegan Sun in 2021) will add a sister eatery called Beauty & Essex next to glitzy novelle in Casino of the Sky staring Feb. 7.

Friday chef presentations were kicked off by Adam Young, who is bringing Sift Bake Shop and A.T.Y. (his initials) Bar & Bonbons to the casino this spring in the space previously by Carlo's Bale Shop (up the elevator from Pepe's Pizzeria). In his chef demo on stage, Young said creating croissants is a three-day process. At the end of his demo, he hurled some finished chocolate croissants into the crowd, one of which my wife snared after a missed catch by folks in front of us (like a souvenir at a ballgame).

Here are some views of the action:

Servers collect a Campari drink from a fountain at Wine & Food Fest.

A food serving area at the Asian Market event inside the Earth Ballroom.

    Leah Cohen's Filipino rib eye with curry and roasted carrots at the Asian Market event.

    Attendees snap a photo with a beer belly model at the Grand Tasting Preview.

    Yes, there's still wine at Sun Wine & Food Fest, but the 1924 brand is aged in whiskey barrels.

    The Horse Soldier brand traces to Afghanistan war heroes who wanted to honor soldiers.

    Chef Shota Nakajima and his Teriyaki Fried Chicken dish at the Asian Market event.

    A Connecticut Distilling rep serves samples, including (in enlarged closeup at right) bourbon.

    Mixed drinks were part of the Casamigos booth at SWFF Friday.

    Using some Connecticut wrappers, a cigar maker plies his craft at the Friday event.

    The scene along one side of the cavernous Expo Center at Wine & Food Fest.

    A Litchfield Distillery rep pours a sample of the Connecticut product for a visitor.

    A vendor sells food spice packets and fruit preserves at SWFF.

   Patrons enjoy a pour of tasty Stormalong Hard Cider.