|
 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
Origin
India Shows Its Roots…and they’re Delicious!
When one thinks of the things that originate in India, the word exotic
is likely to come to mind; jewelry and clothing in vivid colors, tabla
music, Bollywood extravaganzas. Thoughts of food include curry, masala,
coriander-influenced dishes and spices that can only be cooled by adding
yogurt to the palate.
In other words, for some of us, the things that originate in India are
the components of paradise, and that just happens to be the street on
which you’ll find Origin India. Nestled right in the middle of a strip
of shops and restaurants, and located across the street from the Hard
Rock Hotel, Origin India is a sparkling gem of flavorful discoveries
which highlight that country’s imagination, variety, and aromatic
seasonings administered by virtuoso practitioners.
Origin India Restaurant
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Walls of gold, accented by brown and orange, framed tapestries and
faux-candle chandeliers visually greet you as you enter the large room,
complete with full bar and two semi-private corner seating areas. Black
wooden tables and chairs add to the elegant, relaxing atmosphere. The
elegant interior can house a small party or two while other patrons come
and go freely. You won’t be rushed into ordering, enjoying, or ending
your visit. The servers are helpful with recommendations and as ours
hailed from Sri Lanka, had an insider’s knowledge of what she thought
we’d like.
Even with a strict vegetarian and a person who eats no red meat in our
party, we had no trouble with the selections offered by the restaurant.
As the lone carnivore, I opted for murg (chicken dishes). You’ll find no
beef here anyway, and that other Indian staple, lamb, while a specialty
of the house, did not find its way to our table this night. What did was
so appealing that there were no leftovers whatsoever, with every plate
cleaned and mopped with the seductively flavorful Naan, India’s leavened
version of bread, but so much more interesting. An unleavened offering,
Paratha, in all of its crunchy glory, arrived in a basket as a precursor
along with two different sauces. It lasted about as long as it takes a
Pac-Man to chomp its way down a line of dots.
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Other dishes appearing at the table this night were Chicken Bhajia
(crispy shredded chicken flavored with curry leaves), Murg Chili Milli
Kebab (marinated chicken *tikkas), Murg Makhani (like the kebab, but in
a tomato-based sauce), Aloo Nazakat (baby potatoes cooked in
yogurt-based sauce and coconut milk). Entrees were serves with rice and
cups of lentils, either brown or yellow. Variations abound on those
square white plates loaded with delicate flavors.
*Tikka is dry barbeque, where other dishes are serves with appropriate
yogurt-based sauces. Non-vegetarian fare includes lamb, chicken and fish
or shrimp. Cumin, masala curry, and coriander run freely here and make
an appearance in scores of dishes; the kind of complex seasonings you
can’t do yourself, but love when someone gets it right.
Tasting menus are available in vegetarian (29.95 a person for 2 or more
– 6 items) or non-vegetarian (34.95 a person for 2 or more – 6 items).
The lunch menu is very reasonable with prices ranging from 5.95 -12.95.
The desserts will take some getting used to for the American palate.
Many times Indian sweets will actually be sweetened savory fare, like
corn or carrots or chickpeas. Looking for cake and cookies? Not here my
friend. Kulfi is as close as you’ll come which is an ice cream, offered
in chocolate, pistachio and mango flavors.
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Surprisingly, the Kulfi was frozen rock hard and unmanageable on the
night of our visit, prompting us to try more regional fare, such as
Carrot Cigars, a carrot pudding wrapped in pastry and shaped like
a…well, you know. These came with a sweet dipping sauce which was to
precede each bite. Corn Phirni was a sweetened pudding made of creamed
corn that may not be for everyone. Chena Paysam, or sweetened, mashed
chickpeas had a rather grainy texture, but were made more palatable by
topping them with the sweet Carrot Cigar sauce.
This is British restaurateur Raja Majid’s first U.S. restaurant (he has
three in England) and he’s succeeded in elevating his native cuisine
into one that can easily compete with the world-class offerings
clustered around the eclectic Las Vegas Metropolitan area. Not an easy
thing to do by any means, but Majid and his excellent chefs and servers
prove they are up to the task.
Patrons receive a 10% discount if they are UNLV students or work in the
hotel industry. Filling out the online feedback survey will also get you
special discounts. Operating hours are 11:00 a.m. – midnight seven
nights a week. The kitchen is open until 11:30 p.m.
Like Mehndi tattoos, saris, and bindis, (those forehead jewels), the
exotic items we’re used to importing from India can also translate
amazingly to its food. Here, India is the birthplace, and you’ll
appreciate its culinary descendants.
Origin India
4480 Paradise Road #1200
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 73-INDIA (6342)
http://www.originindiarestaurant.com
Backstage
Tour Only Reveals More Phantom Mysteries
Lurking around in dark recesses has always been the prerogative of the
elusive Phantom; that is, until recently, now that backstage tours can
be arranged for the lucky few to step inside the mysteries within the
physical lair of the mot stunning production on the Strip.
Phantom, the Vegas Spectacular has been in town for a little more than a
year. The story of unrequited love, betrayal, murder, intrigue and
loneliness within the Paris Opera House, still plays to sold-out crowds
nightly. Reuniting composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, director Hal Prince and
choreographer Gillian Lynne, the 95-minute spectacular is housed in its
own customized state of the art theater in The Venetian.
 After
the Tuesday nigh performance, I was fortunate enough to be able to join
the small tour at the front of the theater while everyone else exited
and the cleaning crew and dust covers descended. Groups are small, only
5-10 per tour, so there’s an intimate feeling, as if great secrets are
being revealed just for you. Our group included a student teacher from
UNLV, a hospital administrator from Syracuse, NY, a British couple of
East Indian descent, sari and all, and your humble correspondent, who
doubles as a middle school English tutor from September through May.
Tour guide Scott Armstrong is a walking encyclopedia on Phantom
information, able to quote statistical production data with ease while
maintaining interest and accessibility. The tour encompasses three
floors of the five story theater. After walking across the black wooden
stage peppered with over 200 trap doors, we took the Phantom’s own
elevator down two stories to the first floor, which is the command
center of the production. There, we hit the theatrical mother lode as we
were ushered into the dressing room of the star of the show.
Tony-award winning (featured actor, 1993, Kiss of the Spider Woman)
Anthony Crivello, - call him Tony as well, the ultra-charming and
multi-talented actor who alternates the Phantom role with Brent Barrett
and was the brilliant voice this night, recounted amazing production
facts for the group, shaking hands with each of us while his makeup was
being removed (it takes an hour to apply, about twenty minutes to take
off). Eight pieces of facial prosthetics and a double wig are needed to
transform the handsome star into the unfortunate Phantom.
 Tony
says he needs three things to get him into the psychological profile of
the Phantom: The makeup, the tux, and the mask. These elements help him
understand the tortured, lonely yet ruthless character he portrays. “You
can’t be claustrophobic or afraid of heights to play the Phantom,” he
asserts.
As the Phantom, he’s called upon to hide in a hanging angel using only
runner’s stops to hold his legs in place (the kind used in races for
foot placement) while trying to stay out of the line of vision of
balcony patrons. At one point he’s shot through a 3-second plastic
elevator ride, like a bank transaction in one of those pneumatic tubes
that shoots straight from the teller to your car window. Much of the
time he’s crouching, running, almost seeming to appear in two places at
once. Tony makes the challenge look effortless, a testament to his
skill. He knows his Phantom facts, too, informing us that the cost of an
average Broadway production today is 12-16 million dollars. In
comparison, Phantom, the Vegas Spectacular costs 38 million dollars and
takes place inside a custom 40 million dollar theater. The technology
has been upgraded, with sound panels for multi- and omni-dimensional
effects.
After he graciously autographed our programs, we reluctantly said
goodbye to one star while another passed us by in the narrow hallway.
Ryan Silverman, a relatively new Raoul, flashed a dazzling smile our way
as he exited for the evening. One female member of the tour almost
swooned (alright, it was me, but this man is beautiful).
Our tour guide Scott then escorted us to several 1st floor rooms,
offices, workshops and command centers. We saw costume storage areas,
wall-sized computer areas, wig and makeup rooms, prop storage (some
upstairs, suspended by cables, some downstairs in their own carefully
designated spot) a multi-machine laundry room and formidable sewing
center.
Some other fascinating facts from the
encyclopedic knowledge of Scott Armstrong:
There are 45 cast members and 105 crew members in the production. 27 of
these work exclusively with the cast’s wardrobe. 7 people are dedicated
just to the washing, drying and sewing repair of the costumes. 2 crew
members operate the ups and downs of the suspended props above the
stage. 12 channels of infrared screen keep crew members abreast of all
stage activities during the production’s run time.
There are 115 wigs used each night. Since only the Phantom needs
specialized makeup, everyone else does their own and shows up with wig
caps in place to be fitted with the hairpieces. There are 44 mannequins
used in the production and no two are alike.
Dry ice used in river scenes is stored in black tubes on the first
floor. Flickering candles appear through small trap doors (200 of them)
in the stage floor. The cast uses wireless mikes, with Phantom and
female lead Christine being fitted with two apiece for extra acoustical
insurance.
There are speakers in the floor of the stage and a 19-piece orchestra
right in front of it.
The large chandelier, a star in its own right descends at a rate of 12
feet per second. At its lowest point, it will dangle 13 feet above a
standing audience member’s head, but the effect is startling to those
who sit underneath the huge prop.
A huge elephant is pushed onstage manually, and the Phantom’s boat used
to transport Christine to his subterranean quarters is radio-controlled,
much like a child’s toy. Two crew members see to that operation.
The student teacher and I agreed that the tour would illustrate
teamwork, personal responsibility, physics, logistics, timing, tracking,
set-up and break-down, and coordination skills for students of all ages.
We learned a lot ourselves, the most surprising revelation being that
the more you’re shown how the magic is created, the more you believe in
it. The amazing thing is that mere mortals pull it off. Even by the
light of day, the Phantom remains mysterious. And that is as it should
be.
For more information:
Phantom VIP Experience
$250 per person includes a backstage tour, private meet and greet with
cast members, and premium seating in the VIP Golden Circle section of
the Orchestra. The tour is
only available Tuesdays through Fridays.
For more information, call (702) 414-9000 or visit the phantom Box
Office at The Venetian from 10 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
http://www.phantomlasvegas.com
ASD/AMD
Show Sparkles with Jewels, Gifts & Novelty Items From Around the World
The ASD/AMD Trade Shows – Variety Merchandise Show, Gift Show, Jewelry
Show and Military Tactical Show – took place from August 12-16 at the
Sands Expo, The Mirage, and the Las Vegas Convention Center. With 3196
exhibitors, athletic shoes were needed to cover the football field-sized
territories.
Trinkets, textiles, and gifts, including toys, were proudly displayed
along with survival gear and camouflage coveralls. Where else would you
find a life-size statue of the Egyptian god Ra under the same roof as
rainbow-colored cell-phone holders, tiaras, acrylic nails, handbags and
a metric ton of Swarovski crystals in all manner of shape and form?
Bling is elevated to a blinding level. Wouldn’t you wear a rhinestone
bracelet and fuchsia press-ons to your next military tactical meeting?
After all, one must look glamorous while opening those MRE (meals ready
to eat) packets.
In all seriousness, your humble correspondent steered clear of anything
military or tactical in favor of the more practical. Absolutely
essential to my well-being was the acquisition of a coin scarf wrap to
encircle my hips. Never mind that they make a jingle sound when I walk,
I had to have it, WWIII be damned. That’s the true fun of the ASD/AMD
Trade Shows, finding an unusual adornment and scoring a sample sale.
Most of my adventures took place at the Sands Expo, where the exotic
crowd seemed to congregate. Take Western Fashion Inc. for example.
Proprietor Punkash Gupta is every bit as exotic as his wares. From
sparkly crystal and coin jewelry and tattoos to full belly-dancing
regalia, shawls, and silk fabrics for men and women, Western Fashion
Inc. offers all things unusual and exotic for the more sensual-minded
customer. It was here that I discovered the all-important lower back
temporary tattoo. Mr. Gupta and company have got it goin’ on.
Western Fashion Inc.
Then there’s Rising International’s P.K. Dhakal, (Rishi) who is a
hospitable fellow, offering samples with a smile. Textured clothing from
Nepal, jewelry, silks, woolens and cotton goods beckoned from his booth
in bright colors. These were all handcrafted and imported. A favorite
theme was clothing segmented in squares (jackets and tops) or horizontal
columns in oranges, blues, purples and gold tones, and cloth shoulder
purses in sack shape or with a flap. Hand blown glass ornaments filled a
small table. One interested patron picked up finger cymbals and
proceeded to annoy everyone around him. They made a lovely sound, but
need to be in the right hands to impart the ambiance, okay pal? Rishi, a
big thank you to your patient heart for putting up with all of us
burrowing sample hogs.
Bijoux World, Inc. featured sparkling bling for necks, wrists and ears.
Crystals and cubic zirconia in a myriad of colors and styles mingled
with solid cameo jewelry consisting of necklace and earring sets with
serene Victorian faces gazing from their centers. The lovely ladies who
manned this booth would scour their inventory for you if you had a
request, and handed out fans instead of business cards, with all the
same information attached. This tactic made me remember them, so the
ladies get the Savvy Award from me.
The China Brand Show in the Convention Center featured a conglomeration
of over 200 businesses from the Peoples Republic of China. Especially
memorable here was the Shengzhou Yuelong Tie & Apparel Co., Ltd. They
specialized in silk scarves and neckties. Any visitor to this booth was
given a complimentary scarf and necktie of high quality in gold, brown
and rose tones. Other booths in China Brand featured one of a kind
dresses at wholesale prices featuring scalloped edges and intricate
embroidered designs. Wooden roses from a neighboring booth were so
lifelike that you had to touch them to prove that they were really made
of that material.
Back to the Sands Expo for some handbag fun. Here I discovered the
Joymax Trading Company, Inc., with their ample inventory of leather,
straw and western purses. They are not afraid to accessorize their
accessories and you’ll find beading, coins, and trim adorning their
product. These folks were worth returning to on different days. They
were willing to bargain and had some of the most original designs of the
scores of handbag merchants on display.
Saving the best for last, and still at the Sands Expo, The Silver Dragon
textile booth had the most fabulous imported Chinese fashions for
insanely reasonable prices. These exhibitors were far from insane. I
couldn’t believe it when I asked the price of a sexy little black number
and thought I was quoted $50.00. “Five-Oh?” I asked. “One-five,” the
exhibitor replied. My grip tightened on the dress and glassy-eyed, I
selected two more. “This one not fifteen,” said my new best friend. Too
good to be true, I thought. So how much was the more expensive piece
with the velvet inserts? “Eighteen,” was the answer, and I became a
river-dancing, oriental coveting, coin hip scarf jingling capitalist
right there in the aisle. The men’s fashions were no less spectacular,
but I was lost in silk land, forking over wads of cash, praying
everything would fit.
Thank you, ASD/AMD Trade Show for making it possible to peacefully
co-exist amid bracelets, ammunition, watches, missiles, skirts, adult
DVDs, hemp products, lipstick holders and plush toys.
Who needs to learn about non-lethal weapons? The important thing is
looking cute when Armageddon arrives. I wouldn’t want to survive any
other way.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.joymaxhandbag.com
http://www.westernfashioninc.com
http://www.bijouworld.net
Shengzhou Yuelong Tie & Apparel Co., Ltd.
E-mail: fashionu@gmail.com
 |
