Vegas Popular

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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The price of fine dining has gone up everywhere, and steakhouses are certainly no exception. The price of a good porterhouse today would buy you the whole cow ten years ago.

But you can't stop eating well and you can't live off the Sizzler. Thankfully, even the most celebrated Las Vegas restaurants occasionally offer a great deal. Morton's The Steakhouse, a Chicago import that many carnivores often mistake for Heaven, invites guests to experience the $69 "Classic Combination Dinner," which includes a single-cut filet mignon, on served with béarnaise sauce and steamed fresh asparagus, a choice of an Australian lobster tail or two Alaskan king crab legs, and a choice of salad.

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OK, we lost.

As a fan of the Chicago Bears since before the Super Bowl Shuffle days, it hurts. But even in defeat it's hard not to feel good for Peyton Manning, a class act who has been a great representative of the game and ... oh, who am I kidding? Go shoot another lame commercial, Mr. "they're not saying 'boo,' they're saying 'moooooo-vers.'" It's bad enough we lost to the guy, now we'll still have to see his mug all over the tube selling everything but feminine hygiene products. And if they made him the right offer, who knows? "Hi, I'm Peyton Manning. And freshness is important to me ... "

But what's done is done. Time to start the recovery, fellow Bears fans. Food will be involved, and the more artery-clogging, the better. The Superfans are our role models, and they don't eat no sprouts.

Where shall we meet? Metro Pizza, for their Windy City style deep dish pizza accurately dubbed the Stockyard? Or maybe an Italian beef at Bono's, where we can debate whether this would have happened if Ditka were still in charge? How about a hot dog with the works at Chicago Tasty Dogs? Rex Grossman, if you're out there, you're invited. Just try not to drop the mustard on the way back to the booth.

Newly-crowned Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson turns into an overnight TV star this week. She flew from Vegas directly to meet with Diane Sawyer and the Good Morning America team yesterday, followed immediately by appearing with Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa on 'Live with Regis and Kelly.'

With literally no time to breathe, Nelson was on another plane for last night's appearance on Larry King, while competing with herself on a taped interview on rival MSNBC's Scarborough Country. The media blitz continues today back in New York on Fox & Friends, followed again immediately on Fox's new 'Mike and Juliet Morning Show.' Tomorrow the frenzied pace continues with another national TV appearance on the CW morning News followed by a satellite cross-country radio tour. Whew, and that's only the first four days of her reign!

MISS AMERICA RATINGS
The 2007 Miss America Pageant, which premiered live on CMT Monday, drew a significantly younger audience, increasing its 18-24 audience by 257 percent. During that time period, CMT placed second in all of cable in the P18-24 demo. The median age for the 8PM telecast was 43 years old, down eight years from the 2006 Pageant. The 8PM premiere of Pageant averaged 2.4 million viewers, making it CMT's most-watched telecast since last year's airing. Cumulatively, the pageant reached 7.2 million total viewers in its two airings on Monday night.

The two-hour contestant special, 'Pageant School: Becoming Miss America,' which aired over the weekend prior to the Pageant itself was seen by more than 16 million viewers across 10 total plays on CMT, VH1 and MTV. The special was part of an original programming blitz consisting of over nine hours of pageant-related programming designed to drive overall viewership and awareness of Miss America.

RADICAL CHEF
What do you get when you combine a South Philly boy and his wildly popular South Florida Italian restaurant and late-night hot spot with Sin City's Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino? Tattooed, sometime bare-chested Chef Steve Martorano promises a good time, great food with a little Philly attitude on the side. Cafe Martorano will be a one-of-a-kind restaurant/nightclub combo when it opens later this month and "definitely not for sissies and salad eaters," he says proudly. "Bring a hearty appetite and a "take no prisoners" state of mind because it starts with the food and then moves on to the "scene," so it's an all-in-one totally unique kind of evening." Steve boldly states at the bottom of his menu, "Absolutely no changes or substitutions -- This is the way I cook. Please enjoy and don't break my balls!"

Steve's Fort Lauderdale Florida restaurant not only wins top ratings, but is as widely known for its celebrity clientele as its South Philadelphia-style Italian-American cuisine. On any given night regular customers include Shaquille O'Neil, Ludacris, Steven Van Zandt and Fat Joe. After dinner, it's time to work off the calories with some serious dancing. During dinner, the tunes are mellow -- Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin -- and old school Motown, but after 10:30PM., the house rocks while Martorano himself spins hip-hop and R & B hits. It's one of the hottest fixtures on the South Florida culinary and club scene. The new 150 seat, 7,000 sq.ft Rio restaurant will feature white walls, black granite, stainless steel and evocative lighting with wide screen plasma televisions surrounding the room playing scenes from gem mob movies, more than twice the size of his Florida venue. And the biggest stars of Sundays Super Bowl are already packing the Florida joint before the big game. On their first night in Florida, Indianapolis Colts quarterback and Martorano regular Peyton Manning (seen below with Steve's sons) treated his entire offensive line for dinner. Next night, in came 2005 NFL Defensive MVP Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears with Zach Thomas of the Miami Dolphins. So expect it to become a super sports star hangout when it arrives here at the Rio before the end of the month.


STRIP SCRIBBLES

Last week I told you about 'Jackass' star Steve-O raiding the Pussycat Dolls wardrobe room at PURE in Caesars Palace, stripping off his shirt and trying to get into a bra, corset and high heels. Now comes word that he failed to smash a glass display case at the Hard Rock. He'd been invited to pal Bam Margera's party after the dedication to the skateboarder and TV star. Despite the fact that Steve-O used one of those nightclub roped off metal stanchions he failed to shatter the glass. Thank goodness it didn't interrupt Justin Timberlake dining with friends nearby in the casino at Nobu.

Despite the ruckus a slew of celebrities took over the hotel's Body English nightclub on consecutive nights including UFC Champion Chuck Liddell, and his challenger rival Tito Ortiz, with ever present porn princess Jenna Jameson, Chris Noth, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and TV's talkmeister Montel Williams. Next up: Kevin Federline still holding onto his 15 minutes and watch for it to tick a little longer after Sunday's self-deprecating fun-filled Super Bowl commercial for an insurance company where he plays a short-order fast-food cook, Jason Giambi, Tony Gonzales of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brandi, Wyclef Jean and Usher all celebrating in style. Even Tito and Chuck returned for the 2nd consecutive party night! ... Comedy magician Mac King, who headlines here at Harrah's, has been named as spokesman for Optimist International's Reading program. Mac is a lifetime supporter of children's literacy programs and started volunteering to read in public schools several years ago Check out Mac King's Corner on the Optimist website which features cartoons and simple magic tricks that children can read and then learn to do. He will also incorporate into the program a list of favorite books, recommended by his 6-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.

TONIGHT'S TIP
Its time for laughter and comedy with Drew Carey and his Improv All Stars who start a run at MGM, thru Sunday's Super Bowl wrap-up party.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
It might well be the biggest betting weekend in the Sports Book around town, as nobody seems to pick one team over another as Chicago does battle with Indianapolis. Yes, it's Super Bowl and everything in Vegas is in a party mind set all weekend. Plus, John O'Hurley, who'll play King Arthur in the upcoming 'Spamalot' musical at the Wynn will wrap up our four-part salute to insanity!

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I Headed out to the Silverton awhile back for an early dinner at Seasons, a terrific buffet. But after braving the south Strip traffic and the perennial construction on Blue Diamond Rd., I arrived to discover that Seasons was closed for a private party.

Such happenings are a common occurrence in a money-talks town. Travel here often enough and you'll inevitably find a favorite restaurant has been commandeered for the night by the Georgia Peach Growers Association or some such outfit. However, it's a rarity this far off the main resort corridors, so it was with some surprise that I was politely directed to one of the Silverton's other dining opportunities.

As I wandered across the hunting lodge-style casino, I gazed down the rows of slot machines for a glimpse of Paula Abdul. No, I don't look for the former Laker Girl everywhere I go, but this was a legit celebrity-sighting opportunity, as the shortest, cutest and some would say wackiest 'American Idol' judge, has been hired by the Silverton as a consultant on their entertainment offerings. Alas, no Paula, so I settled for dinner at the Sundance Grill, also known as the coffee shop.

Hotel coffee shops are Las Vegas staples, and what's most unique about them is how un-unique they are. The names change and the decor might pick up on the theme of the resort in which they reside, but every coffee shop has the same breakfast items served all day, the same waitresses that seem to have wandered in from an episode of 'Alice,' the same late night specials, and that spinning metal display of cheesecakes and coconut-cream pies under glass.

No real surprises at the Silverton's entry, but no disappointments either. I could predict most of the entrees before opening the menu; hot open-face roast turkey, French dip, burgers, etc. I opted for the French dip, which was served hot and fast, with the kind of French fries I like (for me, the thinner, the better). It wasn't why I went to the Silverton, but it was tasty and priced fairly enough to merit a return visit.

And next time I'll save room for some pie.

Pop queen Gwen Stefani is now the second star booked by George Maloof for his brand new Pearl Theater at the Palms, but he's still remaining silent about the opening night attraction and the lineup. Luxe Life has learned that, in the next few days, he'll be forced to reveal the stars and concerts, as the rockers and singers themselves have started leaking the news to fans and ticket brokers!

Stefani was originally signed to appear at the Palms on April 28, but she's now moved it forward to April 21. Yesterday Luxe Life broke the news that a trio of rockers will play the Pearl at the Palms on the opening March weekend. (Click here for that story.) For Evanescence, it's the second date of their new tour, which begins the night before in Fresno. They're on the road promoting their new album 'The Open Door' that has already racked up 1.5 million copies sold in just 15 weeks! Rock experts tell me that the Palms tycoon scored a major coup with the three rock groups because the touring acts are only playing large arenas and his Pearl Theater provides a much closer, smaller and more intimate concert venue.

STEVE-O'S BRA AND PANTIES

When it comes to dangerous stunts 'Jackass' star Steve-O regularly risks his life and he also thinks nothing of stripping down to his underwear in the most public of places! But at the launch of his 'Jackass 2' DVD party at PURE in Caesars Palace he went one further, and raided the lingerie closet of the Pussycat Dolls. (Click here for our sexy Pussycat Dolls photo tour!!) First he ripped off his own shirt, and then hooked on a bra and tried hard to get into a girdle. Security stopped him from taking off his own pants to put on their panties, but he pranced around as a cross-dresser in the lacy lingerie as Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin tried hard to wrap up her auditions for new dancers for the new Pussycat pleasure pit that Caesars is opening in a gaming area outside PURE.


Check Luxe Life on Thursday when we reveal exclusively which major superstar will dress up in their trademark lingerie to dance through the red ribbon at the VIP Grand Opening gala on March 3. Then we'll go close up with Robin at the auditions. Meantime, click here for our story two weeks ago when we first broke the exclusive news of the new casino attraction. After Steve-O happily made a fool of himself yet again, he gave into demands from PURE executives to put himself back together and dress properly for the DVD launch party.

CRAZY HORSE PARIS

The name's been changed to the original! Despite the fact that the MGM Grand show, 'La Femme' (seen above with yours truly) is an exact replica of the world-famous Crazy Horse in Paris it couldn't get the name here because of the Strip club with a similar name. But now that Crazy Horse Too has run afoul of the law

It was the biggest and best birthday bash I've been to since 'Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous' ended its 14-year-run back in the early 90's! Superstar Christina Aguilera flew in just to sing 'Happy Birthday,' Robin Williams had guests roaring with his comedic analysis of the human body's reproductive systems, and the Divine Miss M, Bette Midler, talked about her possible upcoming Vegas engagement at Caesars Palace.


It was a $5-million+ entertainment extravaganza for my friend, 84 Lumber chief Joe Hardy (above with Bette) to celebrate his 84th birthday! He built up his private billion-dollar business from the very first cash and carry 84 Lumber store and his near 500-coast-to-coast stores includes one right here between the Palms and the Orleans! Pittsburgh Steelers player Troy Polamalu, who partied here after last year's Superbowl victory, attended with former Homeland Security chief, Tom Ridge and even President George Bush and First Lady Laura sent their congratulations and birthday wishes!


Bette Midler was the first celebrity entertainer. With a 10-piece all female band led by her female pianist/conductor and the three stunning Scarlet Harlots, Bette opened her show with 'Friends.' If this was a miniature taste of the production they're hoping to bring to Caesars next February after Celine Dion ends her run Dec 15, then this is absolutely perfect entertainment. Bette's got salty songs, dirty jokes and a few F-bombs thrown in for good measure, but everybody laughs along in hysterics and nobody's offended, She admits to being over 60 but sings and high kicks like the best of them, along with her trio of singers. She belted through Rosemary Clooney's 'Tenderly,' Peggy Lee's 'Fever' and got a standing ovation for 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' and the hysterically funny 'Pretty Legs Great Knockers' medley! She joked about how wealthy Joe Hardy was and got her trio to agree that "Money Looks Good on Any Age."


Backstage I chatted with Bette about the stories I'd heard that, along with Cher, she would be a replacement for Celine. She said: "I'm not a spring chicken anymore. It would be a tough challenge, and I'm really worried about my throat. That's a lot of singing every night and I just don't know if it would hold up." I reassured her that the Colosseum was fully moisturized and the theater family would ensure she had the same drizzle spray system in place as Celine has. "Well that reassures me, I'll come," she said delightedly." You know this gig for Joe is my first in over a year. We actually rehearsed full-time for a week just to pull off this one-time-only show." Bette admitted that her cast and crew are all excited and looking forward to the Vegas run, if all the details finally work out and are announced officially next month. She says the show, if it all comes together, would be much different than the one she'd just performed but admitted that she's got a writer who would update each night with new jokes tailor-made from the news and the desert kingdom's happenings!

The entire birthday bash, which was a total surprise for the billionaire, was all carefully engineered by his daughters. They even brought in the cast of 'A Chorus Line' from Broadway to sing his favorite songs from his and late-wife Dorothy's favorite musical! But the biggest surprise of them all was the startling unexpected appearance of pop superstar Christina Aguilera, who first sung 'Happy Birthday' to him and followed that with her powerful acapella version of 'You're Beautiful.' There wasn't a dry eye in the house, and en route upstairs afterwards Christina told me that she'll be back in Vegas on March 3 at Mandalay Bay!

The noon-to-midnight affair wrapped with Robin Williams and a let-it-fly comedy show that brought the house down. His take on male and female reproductive organs and evolution is the funniest routine I've ever heard in my life and he's definitely adding it to his standup act. He and I posed for our annual get-together photo and he told me he was thrilled that the recent Comedy Festival at Caesars had been such a tremendous success and for raising record monies to help Katrina hurricane victims. "The Comedy Festival is set for a long run in Vegas and I'll support it every year I can," he said.

$10 MILLION INVESTMENT
This just in!!! Wonderful rumors buzzing the Strip that none other than pop-superstar Christina Aguilera has

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

Ever since the gorgeous bikini beauties of Hawaiian Tropic opened their debut Hawaiian Tropic Zone bar, restaurant and entertainment complex in Times Square the dining attraction has been one massive hit and now the company will announce this morning that it will open its first complex outside of Manhattan right here in Vegas.

The company's second venture will be located in the Desert Passages (soon to be Miracle Mile) shopping center at the Aladdin Hotel which is undergoing a remodelling to open as Planet Hollywood later this year. The HT Zone in New York City is known for its sexy modern decor, a three-tier dining room , 2-story waterfall and a cat-walk stage for nightly entertainment. But its the exotic Hawaiian Tropic models and beauty-queens who serve as "table concierges" to assist guests that are the real attraction.

Each night they take part in a beauty pageant where diners get to vote for the new reigning queen who only gets to serve for 24 hours unless she's voted the next night's winner again! One Vegas dining expert told Luxe Life this morning, "This is a totally new and different concept for Vegas. Yes, it will sure bring glitz, glamor and sex-appeal entertainment into our fine dining scene."

David Edelstein, co-owner of the Desert Passage shopping mall, commented, "We are very excited to have Hawaiian Tropic Zone bring its creative blend of dining, entertainment and nightlife to Desert Passage. Hawaiian Tropic Zone's innovative and energetic atmosphere is yet another example of the electrifying transformations occurring as we evolve into Miracle Mile Shops."

I've known Hawaiian Tropic owner Ron Rice (here with a bevy of beauties) for more than 20-years and he's even had me as one of his celebrity judges at the annual beauty pageants, some of which are often held here in Vegas. He began his multi-million-dollar sun-tan company while he was working as a lifeguard on the beach and couldn't find a suntan lotion that worked well enough to protect him. So he invented his own and parlayed himself into multi-millionaire status. It was always his dream to add a dining and entertainment element to his tanning and beuty ermpire. Ron will be back here April 4-5 at the Mirage for the coveted Miss Hawaiian Tropic International beauty pageant.

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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Pop-queen Madonna was notoriously turned away and President Bill Clinton couldn't get a reservation on his own so he had to "borrow" a table from a longtime customer! Rao's at 455 East 114th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan opened back in 1896 for home-style Italian food and friendship, but waits of up to a year and more to get one of its 11 tables became legendary. It's still that way back East, but fortunately the good guys at Caesars Palace have alleviated some of the consternation and rejection by opening a big-brother outpost here. I got the incredible Italian taste treat a few days ago when I had a reunion with Frank Pelligrino Jr. and his chef-wife Carla who run "da joint" with Cousin Ron Straci for the 'big boss" Frank Pelligrino Sr.

For decades Rao's existed as a neighborhood restaurant. Its local customers would fill the tables with such regularity that eventually they were given standing reservations -- bookings that persevere to this day. When Rao's regular and famed sportswriter Dick Schaap passed away in 2001, Billy Crystal wondered aloud in his eulogy who would inherit Schaap's table. A bequest in a will passing the "table rez" down from one generation to another was more prized than owning a New York millionaires co-op! The speakeasy vibe of the place, the gracious hosts and the incredible food made Rao's the stuff of legend and the object of envy.


At Caesars Palace, the authentic Rao's experience is now accessible to a whole new generation. Two, ten-table rooms duplicate the original Rao's saloon. Additional seating is available in the feast area, as well as on an outdoor patio, where you can sit poolside and enjoy a game of bocce in between bites. Rao's, with its turn-of-the century appearance at Caesars Palace is open seven nights a week from 5PM-11PM, with multiple seatings available.

When I was the guest narrator in the Broadway run of the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show,' I had dinner at Frank Jr.'s other restaurant, Baldoria, every night. That's where Britney Spears went three weeks ago the night she announced her separation from Kevin Federline! Over Uncle Vincent's lemon chicken and Aunt Anna's pasta I talked with Frank and Carla. Here's our intimate conversation:

RL: First of all, what do you think of Vegas as a city to bring such a remarkable restaurant to?

FP: I think that Rao's was only suited for one property here, and that is

Normally chefs from all over America have to make one prized pilgrimage to cook at the prestigious James Beard Foundation house in Manhattan, where the originator of gourmet cuisine worked and lived. But there's an exception for Michelin 3-star chef Guy Savoy and he's being able to host his 7-course fundraising dinner right here in his Caesars Palace gastronomic pleasure-dome.

Note the date: January 6 for a stunning evening of food and wine that is available to the general public for a $600 donation. Culinary delights will include the renowned Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup, served with brioche and truffle butter, in addition to Savoy's acclaimed oysters, which are cooked in their own juices, placed back into their shells atop oyster creme and finished with oyster gelee. Proceeds from the event will fund a scholarship for outstanding students majoring in culinary arts management at the University of Nevada Las Vegas' William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Also benefiting will be the James Beard Foundation, the national not-for-profit organization devoted to preserving and nurturing America's culinary heritage Since opening in May, the restaurant has received widespread critical acclaim including Esquire's "Best New Restaurants," Newsweek called it "the best restaurant in Las Vegas, and one of the finest anywhere in the world." "The mentoring process is a very important part of any chef's development, and I'm pleased to support the next generation of culinary talent in Las Vegas," says Savoy. "Being able to work with the James Beard Foundation to create this scholarship has been a great honor."

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Vegas has it all. Great shows, great nightlife, great accommodations and great dining. Of course, when you talk about great dining, one name that instantly comes to mind is Wolfgang Puck. And in Vegas, the Puck's presence is prevalent. Depending on your mood, you have five, yes five, Puck restaurants to choose from in Sin City: Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at MGM Grand, Spago and Chinois at Caesars Palace, Postrio at The Venetian and Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay. With so many choices, we thought we'd help you with a quick guide to each. Also, be sure to check out this great video of the man himself, then read all about his good life in Vegas.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill: In his casual restaurant, Puck reinvents American bar and grill food. His unique interpretation of California cuisine is prepared with a new spirit. And the combination has been described as "beachfront bistro meets classic bar and grill."

Spago: Like it's legendary location in Beverly Hills, Spago at Caesars Palace is considered by many to be the best place for people watching in Las Vegas. Spago serves an eclectic California-style cuisine in a casual cafe setting, as well as a formal dining room.

Postrio: American, Asian and European dishes are on the diverse menu at this Vegas version of Puck's popular San Francisco restaurant. Since it's located at The Venetian, it offers the romantic ambiance of Venice, Italy.


Chinois: Puck goes Asian at Chinois, with a menu full of Chinese, Japanese and Korean flavors, created with a French influence. There is even a sushi bar at this Caesars Palace favorite.



Trattoria del Lupo: Located at Mandalay Bay, Trattoria del Lupo is Wolfgang Puck's first Italian restaurant and has the look and feel of a traditional Italian trattoria coupled with the a contemporary and traditional Italian menu.