Vegas Popular

In most towns across America, there are a handful of restaurants to go to for special occasions. For anniversaries, birthdays and other causes of celebration, we put on our Sunday clothes and head to the fanciest place in town.

Vegas is a little different. Almost every day here is a special occasion and picking the fanciest place in town is a little more difficult. The town has been built on fantasy and excess and fancy is a byproduct. Even a hot dog, onion rings and Coca-Cola at Nathan's will set you back $11.

In the old days, it seemed casinos had the one nice restaurant, the diner, the buffet and one or two casual restaurants. Today, the top luxury resorts have multiple high-end eateries by the world's most famous chefs. With all of the marquee chefs at resorts like the Venetian, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Caesars Palace, a trip to Vegas is like some sort of Food Channel interactive experience.

I admit the title of this column is a little dramatic. None of these meals will force you to take out a second mortgage to afford their delicious expense. However, when you plan your next trip, or your next night out in Vegas, budget some extra cash for one or more of these five extravagant Vegas dining experiences:

Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay
I like watching Chef Hubert Keller's 'Secrets of a Chef' cooking show on television. From his unassuming style comes some of the most assuming food, gorgeous and yummy. In Vegas, he has more than one restaurant, which gives the diner multiple options to luxuriate.



If you're feeling casual chic, grab a table at Burger Bar, where the great American pasttime gets gourmet treatment. You can try the $25 surf and turf burger topped with lobster. To take the fancy up a notch, make reservations at Chef Keller's Fleur de Lys restaurant also at Mandalay Bay. Look past the champagne cocktails with 24K gold flakes and the live floral sculpture featuring 3,000 fresh roses and focus on the menu, particularly the Kobe Beef FleurBurger "Rossini" (pictured). It's a nice hunk of revered Kobe beef that is topped with foie gras and black trufflIes. They offer it with a 1990 bottle of Chateau Petrus for $5,000.

The "$5,000 burger" was all over the blogs when the restaurant announced the offering, but that's like saying there's a $50,000 burger out there that is served with a side of a Mercedes-Benz. You can order the burger as a course in one of the prix fixe options or slap down $75 for just the burger.

I've read criticism about the restaurant for having the audacity to serve a $75 burger, here is the deal with $75 burgers: they're worth every last cent. I'll go as far to say that if you're a vegetarian, you should eat a $75 burger before you die. They're that good.

Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand
Luxury should be French super chef Joel Robuchon's middle name. I feel fancy just walking into his eponymous restaurant at MGM Grand even before I've looked at the menu.

Gordon Ramsay recently stated that he would want the main course of his last meal on Earth to be prepared by Chef Robuchon, his one-time mentor. Incidentally, Chef Ramsay would want the appetizer for that same last meal to be prepared by another French super chef with a Vegas restaurant, Alain Ducasse.

Other than some marble, chandeliers, French cuisine and accolades of the greatest chef of this generation, what makes the Joel Robuchon experience so extravagant? Go for the 16-course tasting menu. Tasting menus are all the rage with chefs because it's a great way for them to tap into their creative culinary muses and the eater gets to sample a little bit of everything. It is 16 courses so even at $365 a person, it seems like a relatively good deal, but in my opinion, the real extravagance is just being able to sit down at a table and have 16 courses, flowing in and out over the course of a meal. It feels very royal.

Sterling Brunch at Bally's
Bellagio has consistently been recognized as having one of the best buffets in Vegas. It has also been around the top tier of priciest buffets. However, nothing compares to the Sterling Brunch at Bally's Steakhouse on Sundays. At $58 per person, it is the most expensive buffet in town but worth it. The display is deliciously gaudy, but among the typical breakfast buffet fare, you'll find lobster, sushi, caviar and even ostrich on occasion -- and of course, plenty of champagne.

Nothing says extravagance like champagne on a Sunday morning.

Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace
The French really know how to treat a stomach. That sounds weird, but the point is French, as a cuisine, gives us some of the tastiest dishes known to man and French restaurants are among the priciest.

Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace is no different: some of the best food on the planet and priced accordingly. The tasting menu at his eponymous restaurant in Paris is among the world's most expensive along with Alain Ducasse's. They all tend to run in the same chef circles with Chef Savoy also noted by Chef Ramsay as a mentor.

Chef Savoy's Vegas tasting menu is just shy of $300, but in the spirit of luxurious dining, you should just dive into the menu. Even the photo of the prime beef tenderloin looks good enough to eat and if you order the right dinner for two, with wine and gratuity, you're looking at $1,000. That's good taste.

Alex at the Wynn
For the next entry, we're staying in the Mediterranean region with Alex at Wynn. Everything about Alex Stratta's restaurant at the Wynn is rich -- the architecture, the interiors and more importantly, the food.

As I said earlier, tasting menus are all the rage and the seven-course tasting menu that starts yellowtail, sea scallops and foie gras is worth a gander.

For that extra special experience, reserve the chef's table and eat in the kitchen. Sure, you miss out on the lush dining room experience but in a restaurant, eating at the chef's table is like rolling VIP. Plus at more than $200 a person with a nine person minimum, it's very VIP.

I guess that makes it VVIP?

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Technorati Tags: las vegas vegas herbert keller guy savoy fletch vegas restaurants dry heat celebrity chefs vegas nightlife burgers dining las vegas shows alex stratta joel robuchon

With the opulence and reverent air of a lavish jewelry salon, award-winning pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury introduces the first truly European-style pastry shop to Las Vegas. Located within Bellagio's luxurious new Spa Tower, the Pâtisserie whets the imagination as much as the appetite, with an incredible selection of sweet and savory items including chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches and much more.

Jean-Philippe Pâtisserie has been a dream of Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe Maury for years, and now he and designer Norwood Oliver present a multitude of gourmet delicacies in an equally delicious design setting. "Our approach was not to think that we were selling pastries," said Chef Maury of the design plan. "Rather, we approached the space as if we were selling exquisite jewelry. Pleasure in food is stimulated as much by visual appreciation as by our taste buds. It is imperative, however, that the quality of my creations live up to the expectations invited by the visual allure of the packaging. It must be superb!"

Congratulations are in order for Guy Savoy and his staff (pictured above) whose acclaimed Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace is nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award in the 'Best New Restaurant' category. LUXE LIFE has been a fan of the restaurant since opening its doors almost one year ago. The James Beard Award winners will be announced on May 7, just 10 days before Guy Savoy's one year anniversary.

New York star chef David Burke's long-awaited eponymous restaurant has opened at The Venetian. His 'Modern American Cuisine' is showcased in a palace of presentation with playful architecture and design. Dig into these photos by top Vegas photographer Scott M Doctor to hold you over until you can make a reservation at David Burke.

Fans of the sexy professional dance troupe Vegas Pin-Ups that are not fortunate to call Las Vegas home no longer must wait until their next trip to Sin City to see the gorgeous gals thanks to the new show on the Internet-only Vegas video channel, RawVegas.tv.

Titled Raw Reality: Vegas Pin-Ups, the show follows the dancing stunners throughout their professional and private lives as they train for perfromances and share too-hot-for-even-cable-TV personal details. The webisodes air weekly and you'll want to be sure to tune in when the cameras reaveal girls-only talk about post-sex donuts and offers to pose nude for a famous photographer.

Congratulation go to celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck this afternoon on
the private announcement to friends that he'll marry longtime
companion Gelila Assefa in a three-day celebration on the Italian island
of Capri over Independence weekend of July 6-8 of this year.

Wolf met the hotel public relations executive when he moved into the
Peninsula Hotel in Beverley Hills following the breakup of his long
marriage to designer Barbara Lazaroff. Wolf and Barbara are the
parents of two teenage sons and he and Gelila are parents also of
two younger infants.

A large group of Las Vegas friends and Hollywood stars are expected
for the ceremony on the Italian jet-set hideaway island.

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Less than one week since LUXE LIFE posted its exclusive interview with Bellagio Chef Jeff Henderson, just hours before he went on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss his extraordinary life story for the first time, Oscar winning actor Will Smith has signed to make a major motion picture of the ex-drug dealer's tale of redemption. Jeff became a chef while serving time for being a crack cocaine dealer. His book 'Cooked' was only published two weeks ago by William Morrow!

From the Streets to the Stove. From Cocaine to Foie Gras. That's the subtext to Chef Jeff Henderson's amazing life story told in his new book 'Cooked.' Today, the Cafe Bellagio executive chef tells his extraordinary journey of redemption to Oprah Winfrey. But LUXE LIFE has the full details first. From when he was earning $35,000 a week as a cocaine dealer to the 20-year sentence in the big house on San Pedro's Terminal Island federal penitentiary and, upon release, landing a job in Vegas, where he used to play "highroller" gambling with his illegal drug earnings!

BETTE'S DINNER

There maybe one special sweetener in the contract that Bette Midler is currently negotiating with the Caesars Palace executives to take over from Celine Dion when the Canadian songbird winds up her four-year residency this coming December at the Colosseum. And it involves chicken quesadillas! Turns out that she's a regular at star chef Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in her downtown Manhattan neighborhood. The Food Network star told me that he happily opened up his Caesars Palace outpost just for Bette to enjoy the spicy chicken quesadillas in quiet and privacy while she's been visiting Sin City this week. So when Bette begins her run here she now knows that the taste treat will be available to her whenever she wants; in the restaurant or delivered steps away to her dressing room!

WILD AND CRAZY CHEF

It's like dining in a '70s disco! Barry White and Lou Rawls are blasting out from the speakers and the center mirrored ceiling ball is sending out shining rays of light flashes. Suddenly the room goes black and Al Pacino springs to life on the giant TV screens as he shoots up the entire cast of 'Scarface!' Then, just as suddenly, the pulsating music is back on and so infectious people have begun dancing not only in the aisles and on the bar, but also on their own dining tables!

It is so wild and crazy I have to say it's the wildest restaurant on earth and the food is a knockout sensation! Welcome to Cafe Martorano where such stars as Jessica Simpson, Ashanti, Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, Shaquille O'Neal, Dennis Rodman, Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Don King are regulars. Until now, chef/owner, the tattooed biker Steve Martorano (seen above with yours truly), has held court in Fort Lauderdale only, but over the weekend he opened a much larger outpost in the Rio near Prince's 3121 showroom. His Florida success began as a tiny eight-table restaurant which grew to 14 tables and a long bar and lines of customers every night of its 13-year run. His new Vegas restaurant is much larger but with the same crazed scene that includes an open-air roof! Steve's two sons play DJ from right by the kitchen stoves. Already Shaq and Ludacris are regulars raving about the Italian-American home-cooking. Check it out for yourself because you wont believe your eyes, ears, and, most of all, taste buds. And be sure to buy a take home souvenir of his line of tomato sauces. There wont be a night when a celebrity isn't in there having fun!

#1 CHEF

Every star chef in our hot restaurant royal kingdom pays homage to culinary king Joel Robuchon (seen above, right) by making the pilgrimage to see the master at work in his two restaurants at the MGM Grand. But that got me chuckling and wondering where on earth the master himself goes after finishing work at his Mansion and the L'Atelier restaurants. Well turns out he's a big fan of Chef John Simmons at the unique Firefly Tapas Kitchen and Bar a few blocks away!

Now Simmons will tell you that Joel's food is the best in the world and he even has all of Joel's cookbooks. But when the master came in with his head chef and MGM's food and beverage director, Chef John prepared a tasting of sushi, short ribs, tuna takatsu and ended with chocolate cake. Joel patted him on the back saying he loved everything and it was exactly what he wanted after a hard night behind the grills! John gifted the man called the Pope of Cooking with the restaurants signature orange shirts and dragonfly emblazoned hats.

COMIC OF THE YEAR

Congratulations are due this morning to 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' star Steve Carell, who has been named Comedy Star of the Year by ShoWest. I met Steve Sunday at the NBA All-Star Game and neither of us knew then that he'd be back on March 15 to pick up the award at the movie exhibitor's convention being held in both the Paris and Bally's hotels. The actor will reprise his role as polished preening newscaster Evan Baxter in the next Evan Almighty follow-up sequel. This time around he's living in suburban Virginia and is instructed by God -- played again by Morgan Freeman -- to build an ark!

STRIP SCRIBBLES

For the second consecutive week, Cee-Lo Green from Gnarls Barkley turned up for Industry Night in JET at the Mirage. He had a whole set of different ladies with him this time around, but unlike last week -- as we showed you with all the photos in LUXE LIFE -- he didn't go wild dancing with them! ... Latin heartthrob Luis Miguel treated six friends for dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant in the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace, and Executive Chef David Robins sent out my signature rich and famous smoked salmon and caviar pizza to welcome them. ... For the fourth consecutive night, LA Laker star Lamar Odom dined on the chicken wings at Stack in the Mirage and at adjoining separate tables Dog the Bounty Hunter and handsome Hollywood hunk, Brody Jenner.

TONIGHT'S TIP
Country comes a calling at the Orleans tonight with Glenn Campbell, and his show has become a family affair this time around as he features wife, Debby Campbell. They'll play there through Sunday night.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
Brutal rugged fighting comes to town with the Pride fighters and on a gentler note where love conquers all we're up-close at the fourth anniversary celebrations of 'Mamma Mia!' at Mandalay Bay.

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Stars of every field from sports to movies and music and even politics were spotted in force last night as the week-long NBA All-Star parties culminate tonight with the game at the Thomas & Mack Center and the 'Back in Black' party with Diddy, T.I. and 'Girl Next Door' Kendra Wilkinson later tonight at The Palms.. Here are the Vegas night-crawling star-spotting from last night.

KING & QUEEN OF THE COURT

PURE nightclub at Caesars Palace was king of the court last night and this morning as 'Desperate Housaewife' Eva Longoria and San Antonio Spurs fiancée Tony Parker hosted a star-studded evening.

With less than 24-hours to his top off in the All-Star Game, they dazzled the packed house quietly sipping on Malibu rum and pineapple and Grey Goose vodka and cranberry juice before hopping up on their VIP bed and dancing for club-goers nonstop flashbulbs.

Minutes later, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC (pictured) grabbed the microphone and surprised Longoria and Parker by putting on a two song impromptu concert featuring "It's Tricky" and "Walk This Way."

Then, Cameron Diaz and Rosie Perez made their way to the main VIP stage and joined in the festivities. Cameron seemed to be inspired to dance having just watched the eight, leggy, busty beauties of the Pussycat Dolls dancing as the guest of PCD founder Robin Antin (pictured here with Eva and Cameron. Eva, Cameron and Rosie were inseparable all evening as the trio spent time dancing and chatting.

Tony left them to themselves and dragged fellow NBA players, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams up to join him for bottles of Cristal champagne and it wasn't until 3AM this morning they called it a night!

Also partying at PURE last night were NBA legends Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, Antoine Walker of the Miami Heat, Denver Broncos superstar cornerback Champ Bailey, former Cincinnati Bengals running back Ki-Jana Carter and then departing big sister Paris Hilton's party at Body English in the Hard Rock, Nicky Hilton with boyfriend David Katzenberg turned up after 2AM!


Earlier in the evening, Longoria and Parker dined at TI's Social House where they enjoyed yellowtail jalapeño and mini-kobe burgers. Parker was also filmed playing blackjack at Caesars by a French "60 Minutes" styled TV crew that's recording all of his NBA weekend activities in Vegas! It was almost a collision course of cameras because playing nearby in the Pussycat Dolls casino blackjack pit was tennis champion Boris Becker filming for his own "Boris" entertainment show that now runs on German TV!

LIFESTYLES OF THE SHAQ & FAMOUS?
It was another celebrity crush-hour at the brand new Café Martorano Italian entertainment club/restaurant at the Rio All-Suites Hotel. For the second consecutive night since opening Ludacris was holding court, but the fun thing was when Shaquille O'Neal invited me over to his table. He introduced me to his lovely wife who told me that Shaq loves to do impressions of me in my English voice. So there I am with basketball's #1 entertainer with him impersonating me and asking how good was the performance!!

What a gracious, kind gentleman he is polite, well spoken. He walked the entire room on a meet and greet with Miami Heat owner Mickey Arison and partner Ranaan Katz with baseball legend Pete Rose, Ray Crockett, Charles Johnson, Harrah's honchos Tom Jenkins and Don Marrandino and he even went into the kitchen to hug owner-chef Steve Martorano (pictured with Katz and Shaq) who has his two sons on DJ duties at a booth kitchen center!! Rival RAO's owner, Frank Pellegrini, Sr. from the Caesars Palace eatery, was also there checking out the new competition. You absolutely must check out Café Martarano with its wild dance music, timed Al Pacino 'Scarface' interludes and heapings of the most extraordinary Italian culinary creations you've ever witnessed. Guests don't just dance on the floor there. They are up on the bar and tables; it's all so infectious!

POP LIFE
King of Pop, Michael Jackson out on the town again- this time joining recording pal will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas to catch Prince's midnight performance at his Club 3121 in the Rio. Also there: Natalie Cole, Macy Gray and wild man Cee-Lo from Gnarls Barkley, who went on stage in a 'Crazy' duet with the pop royal.

STAR CENTRAL
George Maloof's Palms resort hotel rocks on around the clock as star central. Last night, at Nove, Kobe Bryant starched-up for today's All-Star Game while at the N9NE Steakhouse, it was easy to spot: Eddie Kennison, Gilbert Arenas, Penny Marshall, Baron Davis, Javon Walker, Dwight Freeney, Melvin Fowler, Manute Bol and Emeka Okafor.

Up in the ghostbar: Suge Knight and Ray Allen while up on the Fantasy Tower rooftop Playboy Club and Moon nightclub, Yao Ming played blackjack while sipping wine, homerun slugger Barry Bonds, Nate Robinson with 30 pals in tow, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, NBA wild guy Ron Artest (pictured above) and the star of the show Shaquille O'Neal, who posed with bunny server Cerra. Plus Vernon Davis, Reggie Brown, Terrell Owens, Jamie Sharper, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Kat Williams and Amani Toomer.

It was almost 36-hours later than expected, but finally Shaq received his Brenden Celebrity Star from Johnny Brenden at a dedication ceremony at the Brenden Theatres located in the Palms Casino Resort. Johnny Brenden presented the 'Walk of Fame' Star to Shaq for recognition for all his accomplishments and contributions to the sports and entertainment industries. Johnny also donated a $5,000 check from his foundation to Shaq's foundation.

Incidentally, Diddy was spotted all over the Palms this weekend. He stayed in the $40,000 a night Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, the same one Britney stayed in during her Vegas party spree.

DIVINE REPLACING DION?

Moving ever closer to the official confirmation of LUXE LIFE's exclusive story (click here for those reports) on Bette Midler being the first of two super stars to takeover from Celine Dion at the Colliseum, the 'divine Miss M' has arrived and dined last night at starchef Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill opposite the PURE Nightclub and Pussycat Dolls casino and lounge at Caesars Palace. Bette is here for several days with her tour manager, Marty Hom, meeting with Caesars President, Gary Selersner, AEG/Concerts West executives and checking out the theater's facilities, especially the humidifier moisturizing system to prevent "desert throat" harming her vocal chords.

THE SURPRISONATOR
Beautiful Elaine Wynn, wife of hotel mogul Steve Wynn had the surprise of her life at the weekend when California Goivernor Arnold Schwazenegger and California first lady, Maria Schriver, jetted over to give her a special award for her charity contributions. Maria joined 'The Producers' star David Hasslehoff and N'Sync's Joey Fatone, now on 'Dancing with the Stars' for Jamie Foxx's show last night at the Planet Hollywood/Aladdin casino.

HOUSE FULL OF HEARTBREAKERS

Talk about beautiful girls everywhere you turned, at Social House in TI last night. First there were the five knock outs from Danity Kane (pictured above left to right) Aundrea Fimbres, D. Woods, Aubrey O'day, Dawn Richard, Shannon and then three of the stunning World Wrestling Entertainment Divas (pictured below) Layla (red dress) Kristal (yellow top) and Candice (blouse) posing at Michael Boychuck's AMP Salon at the Palms.


PIMPIN' ALL OVER THE STRIP
After leaving Café Martarano, Ludacris went over to rumjungle in Mandalay Bay to host the All-American Balling party and performed for 30-minutes to another celebrity crowd with Shaq following him in plus LaDainian Tomlinson, Suge Knight, actor Taye Diggs, Ron Artest, rappers Mike Jones, and The Game with Willie Parker and our 'Mindfreak' favorite magician, Criss Angel. The dawn before, rumjungle hosted Dwayne Wade, Jerome Bettis, Gilbert Arenas of the along with Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller and Chris Morris.

Over at Tryst nightclub in the Wynn, Nas and Kelis performed on the pole platform for the ESPN party which brought out Gabrielle Union, Javon Walker, Shaquille O'Neal, Reggie Bush, the Maloof Brothers, Bob Costas, Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Scottie Pippen, Fergie, Alonzo Mourning, Roger Mason, Kenyon Martin, Dwane Wayde,Willis McGee, Gary Coleman (former NBA), Get Rich, Maurice Taylor, Bernard Hopkins, Marcel Shipp, Jason Giambi and Greg Anthony.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PARIS

Lovemates Paris Hilton and Stavros Niarchos were together again – as LUXE LIFE reported earlier this week for her 26th birthday bash at the Body English nightclub in the Hard Rock. Dethroned Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees was among the guests and both tabloid headline girls will host the March 31st season "o"pener of Jeff Beacher's (pictured below iwth Paris) new Madhouse shows!

Our fotog Scott Doctor did valiant red-carpet duty for our LUXE LIFE photos including the photo below of the lovely Jamie Lynn Sigler.


The night before the all-star turnout at Body English included: Russell Simmons, Lebron James, Nick Cannon, Carmello Anthony, motorcycle stunt king Carey Hart, Suge Knight, Jaron & Jason Collins and former Hard Rock owner Harry Morton who with dad Peter sold it to the Morgans Hotel Group from New York who officially took over this past week!

TIME FOR MAGIC

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons took his two daughters, Aoki Lee and Ming Lee, to Nathan Burton's Comedy Magic in the "V" Theater inside the Desert Passage Shops at the Aladdin yesterday. The girls wanted to see the show after watching Nathan perform on NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent" last summer. He will be returning for the second season of "America's Got Talent" as a special guest and coach.

JUST ASKING
Are Seigfried & Roy the surprise hosts to open the All-Star Game on center court at Thomas & Mack this afternoon at 5PM when TV cameras broadcast the 56th annual super-event around the world. We'll be courtside for the full photo report on all the celebrity happenings here early tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow comes all of the official announcements that the wild and raucous 'Stomp Out Loud' show will open in April at the new Planet Hollywood/Aladdin resort – but the cast gave a preview performance last night at the Thomas & Mack NBA all-star pre-game league clashes!

Here's the celebrities expected at this afternoon's red-carpet entrance for the 56th All Star Game: Prince, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Diddy, Cameron Diaz, Jack Nicholson, Adam Sandler, Steve Carrell, Sharon Stone, Chris Tucker, Dave Chapelle, Eva Longoria, Matthew Perry, Paris Hilton, Bobby Flay, Jamie Foxx, Maria Shriver, Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Ellen Pompeo, David Arquette, Nick Cannon, Usher, Nelly, Kevin Connelly, Nicky Hilton, Serena Williams, Michelle Wie, Cedric the Entertainer among many others.

And finally for now, until we get back from the All-Star Game fun and festivities its nice to know that basketball legend, Elgin Baylor, was cheering front row for my favorite soul-group Earth, Wind and Fire at Luxor last night.

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Congratulations to the 20 category winners in Las Vegas Life's now respected 8th Annual Epicurean Awards, particularly because so many are my favorites, which we also recommend here on Vegas Pop and AOL Vegas.


* Our friend Joel Robuchon (seen above) won two awards, the first for "Best French" restaurant, with his namesake fine-dining destination at MGM and as "Best Chef," inching out our other pal John LaGrone at Postrio in the Venetian.

* Sushi Roku at the Caesar's Forum Shops as "Best Japanese" nosing out Shibuya at the MGM that won last year. Its next-door sister restaurant BOA Steakhouse won for "Best Cocktails."

* Rick Moonen of rm Seafood at Mandalay Bay where his fine dining restaurant resembles a cruise ship's first-class salon!

* Owner Pierre Salveggio and chef partner Luciano Pellegrini won for "Best Italian" restaurant and "Best Wine List" at their Valentino restaurant in the Venetian. Click here for our AOL video tour.

* Little wonder that with all its star-studded celebrity customers that Social House at Treasure Island won the "Best New Strip Restaurant" category. Downstairs its Tangerine Lounge won "Best Lounge."

My friend Barry Dakake won "Best American" for his N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms. Click here for our AOL video tour.

* Although Steve Wynn's Wynn Las Vegas has two Asian restaurants, the award for "Best Chinese" went to Wing Lei, which ironically translated means "win forever prosperous." His SW Steakhouse there also won for "Best Steakhouse."

* Readers of Las Vegas Life voted for Verandah at the Four Seasons for "Best Brunch." Verandah also tied with our personal favorite Wolfgang Puck's Spago at Caesars Palace for "Best Power Brunch." Spago won in the "Best Desserts" category also. Click here for our AOL Luxe Life tour of Wolfgang's Spago and Postrio restaurants.

* In the local's category Hank's Fine Steaks at the Green Valley Ranch won for best on the east-side of town and the Mauro family including mom Nora and brothers Giovanni and Marcello won for their Nora's Cuisine as "Best on the West" and the " Best New Off Strip" with Nora's Winebar and Osteria.

* Enter through a gauntlet of flaming candles to discover Isla Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar at Treasure iIsland and you'll easily understand why it picked up the "Best Mexican" prize.

* Last but certainly not least, the "Best Service" award went to my friend Michael Mina's (seen right) same name restaurant at the Bellagio.

Now, in a town where we pride ourselves on super-service to keep our tourist guests returning time and time again I had to learn for myself just what sets Michael Mina's apart, so I sped over to discover the secrets.

I was bowled over by my female server; one of four women and 11 men who act as the 15 front waiters who have five runners just taking the food from the kitchen to the tables of the 130 guests. But it was her knowledge of food and wine that impressed me most, and it turns out Michael insists they all undergo weekly food and wine seminars so they know the menu and list inside out. All have even passed the first stage of master sommelier exams on wine.

I'd not eaten here before and found the elegant design with rare woods and sumptuous fabrics still a relaxing and perfect spot for the contemporary seafood and refined American cuisine of California products. Loved Michael Mina's five course tasting menu plucked from the pages of his cookbook and you even get an autographed copy with the bill! In addition there's vegetarian and seasonal tasting menus and the regular menu where you get three variations of each item! No wonder it got a "toques off" award!

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Calling all chefs! Television's top-rated chef challenge show, 'Top Chef' on Bravo will hold auditions Monday in Las Vegas.

It may be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show the world your culinary skills and win the mega-prize to open your very own restaurant.

The third season casting call for "charismatic men and women with a love of preparing fine food under tough challenging culinary competitions" will take place at the prestigious Restaurant Guy Savoy in Caesars Palace Monday, Feb 12, from 10AM-12noon.

Bravo's casting producers will accept all levels of experience and backgrounds, whether it's a recent culinary academy graduate, an aspiring, self-taught chef, a trained professional, a burger flipper, a non-professional chef or a busy mother of six; or just a BBQ whiz.

"The one thing all interested candidates must possess is a true passion for creating wonderful cuisine," said a Bravo spokesperson." Interested contestants must believe they have what it takes to compete and create elegant culinary creations each week. For further information and to download an application, go to: www.bravotv.com/contestants.

Craftsteak Chef Tom Colicchio (seen above), was chief of the judge's panel last season and chef Roy Yamaguchi, who has two Roy's restaurants in Vegas, was the guest chef for the finale that aired from Honolulu a week ago concluding the second season!

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Former Beverly Hills Madam, Heidi Fleiss made headlines when she got caught providing "ladies of the night" to both celebrities and big-time Hollywood TV and movie producers. She made headlines a second time when she was romantically linked with Frank Sinatra Jr. and yet again when she announced she would open a legal brothel serving male AND female customers just one-hour from the Strip. The headlines went worldwide when she said ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson had agreed to be her first male-stud! Now she's probably going to make headlines one more time, because she may have vanished! It's not a police mystery, but it looks as if the plans for the Pahrump sex hotel have crumbled. Heidi's phones there have been disconnected without any forwarding numbers! Construction, which has been halted, actually never got off the ground and town officials who rejected her first planning permission drawings insist she's nowhere to be found. Our Luxe Life photographer Scott Doctor was told: "She's gone, she's left town and nobody knows where she is, and her plans for the brothel have vanished along with her."

ON THE RECORD

Remember our Luxe Life coverage of the pre-Grammy party at JET in the Mirage when gorgeous pop-rap princess Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas told me that 'Glamorous' would be her 3rd single release from her new CD? Well it's out, and I'm on it loud and clear thanks to Ludacris who produced that track. Fergie not only belts out my name but also suggests that 'Glamorous' is such an over-the-top description of luxury it would put my, "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams" to shame! When we chatted she said she hoped I didn't mind that she'd used my name and slogan without permission but told me to blame Ludacris if I didn't like it. Now I've heard it I'm a bigger fan than before and I'll be front-row when Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas return to Vegas over All Star Weekend to play the Orleans Arena mid-February!

CONGRATULATIONS

Our wonderful friends at Spago, superstar chef Wolfgang Puck, executive chef David Robins and senior partners Tom Kaplan and Joe Issa are now into their 15th year at Caesar's Forum Shops but yesterday their Spago flagship in Beverly Hills begins its 25th year! (Click here for Wolfgang and David's Luxe Life video tour of the Vegas hotspot that launched the ongoing wave of celebrity-chef cuisine in Sin City). I remember in December 1991 how Hollywood's hottest chef stood in his new Vegas kitchen worried stiff that it wouldn't succeed - because cowboys back then grumbled that his open-kitchen counter wasn't a buffet line!!! Now Spago has just undergone another upgraded makeover keeping it as modern and new as the day it opened. A remarkable achievement for the two Spago to make it through its 5th and 10th anniversary milestones but even more incredible to celebrate its 15th. Spago Vegas beat all of its own records last year with its best revenues to date!

MORE RESTAURANTS
Billionaire Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson has set an Oct, 1 opening date for his new adjoining Palazzo Tower which will make his complex the largest resort hotel in the world with a combined room count exceeding 7,000 suites! He's just told the celebrity chef owners they must have their new restaurants open for the October galas.

Luxe Life has learned that Wolfgang Puck will be bringing in his

Shockwaves reverberated in the Vegas culinary world this afternoon with the unexpected news from TAO at The Venetian that star chef Josh Thomsen (seen here left with TAO Corporate Executive Chef Sam Hazen and co-owner Marc Packer) is leaving just eight days before the Asian themed eatery is nominated in a slew of awards at the annual Las Vegas Life Epicurean Awards.

Now, Mark Andelbradt, an assistant chef to the famous Japanese Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, will take over as of this evening.

"I've enjoyed a wonderful and incredible 18 months right from the very opening of this restaurant" said Josh when I called him within an hour of owner Richard Wolf's surprise announcement. "TAO is an extraordinary restaurant and Richard and his partners had a fantastic concept and a brilliant creation. It was fantastic to be an integral part of a very winning team but now I've got a lot of other opportunities to explore. First though, I need a vacation in Cabo, go see mum and dad and enjoy my first love first hand, the Superbowl, before I select something else new and challenging in Vegas. I'm definitely staying here in the most exciting dining destination in the world though."

There had been rumors from TAO's New York HQ for the past two months that the owners simply wanted to put a new star face on the Vegas kitchen since Josh had already taken it to the very top, but they were all denied. However, in secret they picked the Executive Chef de Cuisine to Food Network hero Iron Chef Morimoto who has opened two new Stateside restaurants in Philadelphia and New York. TAO's corporate chieftains, Wolf and chef Sam Hazen flew in from New York to make the announcement themselves at this afternoon's staff payroll meeting to the stunned restaurant employees. Mark Andelbradt who moved to Vegas over the weekend takes over tonight in the abrupt and unexpected changeover.

Said TAO owner Richard Wolf, "We are very pleased to have Mark on board at TAO Asian Bistro. We look forward to the new additions that Mark will bring based on his previous experiences in some of the country's best restaurants. Current Chef de Cuisine Josh Thomsen has moved on to pursue other professional opportunities and we wish him the best in those future endeavors."

Josh was a favorite of numerous stars who dined at TAO, often being asked by everybody from Paris Hilton to Pamela Anderson from Usher to Jamie Foxx to just pick his own specially created menu items. Even I never read the menu and always left it to his creative culinary genius to do whatever he wanted. I remember taking Joan Collins (below with yours truly and Josh) in there for the first time and she raved to Josh about his kitchen skills! Click here for our Luxe Life video tour with Josh of the restaurant.



Richard Wolf's partner Noah Tappenberg told Luxe Life this evening, "Josh played a very important part in the successful launching of TAO- and he was loved by everybody here for his skills, professionalism and his dedication. We know he will go onto bigger successes and we hold him in high regard and wish him the very best. He was a valued and trusted employee and will be missed."

I also talked with a local restaurant expert about the sudden switchover. He told me: "It's a sad thing in this business that diligent, dedicated, disciplined journeyman chefs can work away really hard putting in incredible hours to build a business - and then when it's at the top, the owners bring in a star name to give it an extra boost when they can't take it any further. It's a classic situation in the restaurant business and that's probably exactly what happened here. Josh was great and did a fantastic job, but now they wanted some extra glitz and glamor with a TV name attached to it."

Here's the official announcement made to Luxe Life early this afternoon: Renowned chef Mark Andelbradt has been named Executive Chef de Cuisine at TAO Asian Bistro. According to Rich Wolf, co-founder of TAO Asian Bistro and Nightclub, Andelbradt has been tapped to put his acclaimed talents to work in the famed Las Vegas dining venue. A Chicago native, Andelbradt has traveled the world from Hong Kong to Italy to hone his craft before landing in Philadelphia to work at the original Morimoto. He has worked as Chef de Cuisine at Chicago's Tru and was also Sous Chef at Daniel in New York before becoming Executive Chef de Cuisine at Morimoto New York. Andelbradt will serve under TAO New York Corporate Executive Chef Sam Hazen.

The TAO entertainment complex with restaurant and star-studded nightclub is regarded in the food industry as one of the most successful restaurants to ever open in the United States and racked up record-breaking numbers in its debut year. Ever the perfect gentleman, my pal Josh concluded, "I have the pleasure and satisfaction of knowing our incredible kitchen staff was the best in the business and some nights turned out an amazing 1,200 top-notch gourmet dinners at the same time as hosting another 1,000 simultaneously for cocktails. There aren't many restaurants that could claim that anywhere in the world so I depart on the best of terms knowing we achieved everything and more that we set out to do."

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It's an incredibly long, round-the-clock TV debut for Hard Rock star chef Kerry Simon (here with yours truly) when he launches his new line of kitchen creations tonight across the airwaves of the giant Hone Shopping Network.

Kerry, who owns the Simon Bar & Kitchen at the Hard Rock and a sister entertainment eatery in nightclub czar Randy Gerber's West Hollywood club-hotel, will start his tough schedule at 11PM Pacific Time tonight. Then he'll be back for three more shows tomorrow: the Sunrise Show between 5-7AM, again from 10-11AM and his final appearance between 1-2OM, all Pacific times.

I spoke with Kerry at the Florida HQ of HSN after his first run throughs this morning and he's excited about the sales challenge of following in the footsteps of his celebrity chef pals Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse. "I'm the high-end man," he explained about his eight-piece collection of kitchen knives and the eight-piece Kerry Simon Signature line of cook-pots and pans.

"I've been using every one of the items for sale in my Vegas kitchen. Viewers will get to buy the same cook wear I use when everybody from Vince Neil to Alice Cooper come into the restaurant for dinner. We had two of the knives specially crafted in Japan with very unique slicing serrated blades. The saucepans are top of the line and my name is embossed on the bottom of each one. I'll showcase some of our exclusive Vegas restaurant menu specialties in the cooking demos to go along with the sales blitz." he told me.

Kerry promises a Luxe Life report on his debut launch when he gets back to Vegas from Tampa on Tuesday!

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