Eye on Restaurant Business – The Farm Italy at Mohegan Sun

A new era of Italian dining has just begun at Mohegan Sun where Ballo Italian Restaurant, the culinary destination in the Casino of the Earth, has been transformed into The Farm Italy.

To get a handle on the subtle, complex art of rebranding restaurants – something that happens regularly in our region, and not always with the most fortunate outcome, we spoke with a real restaurant pro, the chef behind Ballo and The Farm Italy owner, John Tunney.

“Transforming Ballo Italian Restaurant into The Farm Italy Mohegan Sun is more than just a name change; it’s the evolution of our passion for Italian cuisine and hospitality,” said Tunney. “We’re bringing the heart and soul of The Farm Italy – handcrafted food, stunning design and warm, welcoming energy – into a space that’s already meant so much to our guests. I couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter and to share an even more inspired dining experience with the Mohegan Sun community.”

To be clear, The Farm Italy is not an entirely new concept. The first “Farm” opened in Huntington, New York, in February 2023 to rave reviews, and was honored soon after as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the United States. A Westbury location is set to open in July, “promising to deliver the same elevated Italian experience our guests have come to love,” said Tunney.

He added that in the case of Ballo Italian at Mohegan Sun, the transformation to The Farm was part of the restaurant’s ongoing vision and philosophy to evolve with its guests, make them feel more special and exceed their expectations:

“Ballo had a successful 13-year run, but we saw an opportunity to offer something even more resonant, something that reflects how dining preferences have shifted.”

 That shift has in part been due to the pandemic:   “While the effects of the pandemic reshaped the industry in many ways, we’ve focused on moving forward – creating experiences that bring people together again. Our restaurants have become places of reconnection and celebration.”

He said that while he expected to welcome new guests and see positive business growth at Mohegan Sun, the heart of the change was “guest-focused. It’s about creating something special, immersive and lasting. The business benefits follow when the experience feels unforgettable.”

To that end, the custom lighting was designed by Tunney himself, and he also took care of what he calls the “the overall feel of the place.

“It’s something I’m deeply passionate about. I wanted every detail to feel intentional and immersive. The artwork is by my brother, Peter Tunney, an incredible artist whose work brings both energy and meaning to the restaurant. Having his pieces here adds a personal layer that really completes the space for me.”

Along with an entirely new interior design, the menu has also been entirely reworked, and Tunney explained how these two key but contrasting elements, coalesced.

“The ambiance is rooted in rustic Italian charm – hand-laid stone, weathered barn wood and whitewashed wood (that) evoke the countryside estates of Italy. But it’s balanced with refined elements like honed mahogany, Carrera marble and dramatic custom lighting. The menu mirrors that duality – built on rustic traditions, crafted with fresh, elevated ingredients and bold, memorable flavors. It’s where simplicity meets sophistication, and tradition is reimagined through a modern lens.”

Asked whether he viewed The Farm as a “fine dining” restaurant, Tunney said he would describe it as “a great night out – elevated but approachable. Whether you call it fine dining or just a memorable meal, it’s a place to savor quality and celebrate life around the table.”

As The Farm Italy welcomes its first guests this week, Tunney will get an early indication into whether his rebrand has been successful. Even the most seasoned restaurateurs need that extra fillip, that intangible element which you might call luck or fortune, in order to keep succeeding, but certainly in John Tunney’s case a reading of the runes suggests The Farm Italy at Mohegan Sun is going to be a winner.

And if that’s the case, we wondered, would that suggest the new brand – already with two outlets and a third in the works – might become a larger group?

“The Farm Italy in Huntington was envisioned as a one-of-a-kind destination. But the response was overwhelming and inspiring. Our guests made it clear they wanted more. That enthusiasm led to the launch of our Mohegan Sun location and the upcoming opening in Westbury. While there are no confirmed plans beyond that, we’re always open to new possibilities when the right opportunity and location align,” Tunney told us, keeping his cards close – but not that close – to his vest.