Culinary legend Wolfgang Puck brings his innovative California cuisine to the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa with his namesake Wolfgang Puck American Grille. Offering contemporary American cuisine in an upscale setting designed by preeminent hospitality designer Tony Chi, the restaurant is Chef Puck's first east coast venture. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will wind down two of its new outdoor dining venues in order to focus on indoor dining operations. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Frank Dougherty, owner of Atlantic City’s Knife & Fork Inn and Dock’s Oyster House, which respectively seat about 250 and 300 people in normal times.

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City said Monday it will remain closed later this week when gaming is allowed to resume following Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision to postpone the return of indoor dining over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

“We respect the Governor’s decision to postpone the reopening of indoor dining in New Jersey. Given this news, our property Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City will remain closed,” a statement from MGM Resorts International said.

Our guests expect a special experience when they come to our property and if we cannot provide that level of hospitality, we feel it best that we remain closed until such time that the Governor lets us know it is safe to offer food and beverage,” the statement said. “The health and safety of our employees and guests are at the center of all that we do, and although we respect the decision we regret that we are unable to welcome back the thousands of employees who are anxious to return to work. We look forward to a time when it is safe to welcome everyone back.”

In a major reversal Monday, Murphy said the state would not move to allow indoor dining as planned Thursday as part of the state’s Phase 2 coronavirus reopening plan. Casinos in Atlantic City were also slated to reopen Thursday.

The governor pointed to recent scenes from expanded outdoor bar and restaurants in the state showing packed crowds without masks and patrons flouting social distancing as a reason to halt indoor dining indefinitely. The state’s previously-announced restrictions on indoor dining included 25% capacity limits, tables spaced 6 feet apart, face coverings for staff and other rules.

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“Given the current situation in numerous other states we do not believe it is prudent at this time to push forward with what is, in effect, a sedentary indoor activity – especially when we know that this virus moves differently indoors than out, making it even more deadly,” Murphy said during his regular coronavirus briefing.

“We have seen spikes in other states driven, in part, by the return of patrons to indoor dining establishments, where they are seated, and without face coverings, for significant periods of time,” the governor said. “We are also moved to take this step because of what we have seen in some establishments across the state of late.”

Matt Acro contributed to this report.

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Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.

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