Everything You’ve Heard About ilani’s Restaurants — and What’s Actually True
April 19, 2026
News
What's actually happening to ilani's restaurants — and what isn't
Rumors have been flying around Ridgefield about closures, takeovers, and a dining scene in freefall at ilani Casino Resort. The reality is more interesting than the gossip — and a lot more deliberate.
If you've been following along on local Facebook groups or chatting with neighbors, you've probably heard some version of this: ilani is closing all its restaurants, there's some kind of corporate "takeover" underway, and the whole place is in chaos. None of that is quite right. Some of it is the opposite of right.
Here's what's actually going on — and why it matters for our community.
The big picture: a tribe taking control of its own story
The root of all these changes is a significant shift in who's running ilani. When the resort opened in April 2017, it was managed under a partnership with the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority — an experienced gaming operation out of Connecticut that brought expertise and capital to help get the resort off the ground. That arrangement worked well for nearly a decade.
In July 2024, that management agreement expired, and the Cowlitz Tribal Gaming Authority (CTGA) took over operations directly. The Cowlitz Indian Tribe — whose land this is — is now running the show themselves. That's not a takeover. That's the plan working exactly as intended.
This isn't a sign of trouble. It's a tribe that spent years building something, and is now stepping fully into ownership of it.
Part of what that means in practice: the Tribe no longer wants to pay licensing fees to national celebrity brands. Instead, they're building their own. And that's where the restaurant changes come in.
What is actually closing
One restaurant is closing. Just one.
Michael Jordan's Steak HouseFine DiningClosing Apr 19
Last day: Sunday, April 19, 2026. The licensing agreement with the Cornerstone Restaurant Group — the company behind the celebrity steakhouse brand — is expiring, and ilani has chosen not to renew it. The restaurant has been a fixture since opening day in 2017 and helped put ilani on the map as a dining destination. Its closure is a business decision, not a failure. The space itself will reopen under new management and a new concept.
ClosingSpace Being Repurposed
What's opening to replace it
Sovereign SteakhousePremium DiningOpening May 2026
In the same space where Michael Jordan's operated, ilani is opening Sovereign Steakhouse — a tribally owned and operated concept that the Cowlitz Tribe describes as a reflection of "identity, stewardship, and vision." The menu will focus on premium American beef including USDA Choice, Prime cuts, and regional Wagyu, alongside sustainable Pacific Northwest seafood. The redesigned space will include two private dining rooms and an outdoor area centered around a fire pit. No licensing fees to a national brand. Just ilani's own restaurant, telling its own story.
Tribally OwnedOpening May 2026Fine Dining
What's moving (but not closing)
LonghouseAsian CuisineRelocating
Longhouse — the popular Asian restaurant known for its sushi and noodle bars — is moving to a larger space. The reason: it's too busy for its current footprint. The restaurant will relocate to the venue formerly occupied by Tom's Urban, giving it room for private dining and a broader menu of Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Japanese dishes. The old Longhouse space will become the new ilani Forever Rewards Center, centralizing customer service in a more accessible location.
Moving, Not ClosingExpanded Space
Tom's Watch BarSports BarRebranded
Tom's Urban has already completed its transition. It's now Tom's Watch Bar, relocated to sit right next to the ilani Sportsbook — which makes a lot of sense given Washington's legalized sports wagering. The venue features the region's largest LED video wall and 30 high-definition TVs. The menu leans into shareable bites and elevated bar food built around the sports-watching experience.
RebrandedAdjacent to Sportsbook
Let's talk about Line & Lure specifically
This one seems to have caused the most confusion, possibly because a restaurant called "Lure" closed in Atlanta in 2025 and some people connected the dots incorrectly. Line & Lure Seafood Kitchen and Tap at ilani is not closing.
Line & Lure: briefly closed, then back
Unlike Michael Jordan's, Line & Lure was always a proprietary ilani brand — not a licensed national concept. That makes it a natural fit for the Tribe's self-management model, and it's not going away. That said, we did just confirm with the restaurant directly: Line & Lure will close tomorrow, Sunday April 19, at 8 p.m. and is scheduled to reopen Thursday, April 24, at 4 p.m. The person who answered the phone didn't say why, and ilani hasn't made a public announcement. Given the timing and everything else happening at the resort right now, a short planned closure for updates or a refresh wouldn't be surprising — but that's speculation on our part. Plan your visit accordingly, and check back after the 24th.
The full dining picture at ilani right now
For anyone who wants the complete rundown, here's where things stand as of spring 2026:
Line & Lure Seafood Kitchen and TapPacific NW SeafoodOpen
Live music venue and full-service seafood restaurant. Proprietary ilani brand. Fully operational.
OpenLive Musicilani Brand
Bella VistaItalian Fine DiningOpen
Located on the 15th floor of the hotel tower with views of the Cascades and Coast Range. Fully operational.
OpenHotel Dining
Rock & BrewsAmerican / EntertainmentOpen
Casual dining and concert bar. Fully operational.
OpenCasual
Smashburger / Taco Cantina / Chef Jet / i.talia PizzeriaQuick-ServeOpen
Quick-serve and casual options located in The Market area. All fully operational.
OpenQuick Serve
Lobby Bar & Bistro / Lobby CaféHotel LobbyOpen
Drinks, light bites, and coffee service in the hotel. Fully operational.
OpenHotel
The short version: one restaurant is closing, one is opening, two moved or rebranded, and everything else is right where it was.
Why this matters for Ridgefield
ilani is one of the biggest employers and economic drivers in Clark County. The Cowlitz Tribe contributes 2% of annual net revenue back to the county, supporting local infrastructure — and that's before you count the jobs, the hotel guests who eat at local restaurants, or the services the resort's workforce relies on throughout the area.
The shift from a Mohegan-managed facility to a fully Cowlitz-run enterprise is genuinely significant. It means more revenue staying with the Tribe, more direct control over hiring and culture, and a dining identity that's rooted in the Pacific Northwest rather than licensed from a national celebrity brand.
What to expect through the rest of 2026
Sovereign Steakhouse opens in May. Longhouse completes its relocation to the larger Tom's Urban space. The former Longhouse footprint becomes the new Forever Rewards Center. Construction continues on the 152-acre reservation parcel across the street, with plans that include retail, restaurants, and a cultural learning center. The resort is expanding, not contracting.
If you hear someone say ilani is closing its restaurants, feel free to send them this way. The reality is a tribe building something that's entirely its own — and that's a story worth telling accurately.
Got a tip, a correction, or something you've heard around town that needs fact-checking? Drop a comment or reach out — that's what this site is for. Local news works best when we're all watching together.
— Meanwhile in Ridgefield
