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 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
Photos by Jacqueline Monahan
“Dining
Around” at the Official Grand Opening of The Palazzo Las Vegas
It’s not called The Palace for nothing. The Palazzo Las Vegas, a
Northern neighbor of the also Italian-themed Venetian Hotel, (they
actually are joined at the hip) hosted a three-day extravaganza for the
occasion of its official grand opening, highlighting the Las Vegas
Strip’s first new luxury property (and its largest) in three years.
Boasting “every convenience and amenity” like marble baths, Egyptian
linens, and even “touch control” technology to assist you with your
curtains’ movement, The Palazzo aims for and delivers elegance for the
discerning visitor. Luxury is the word on everyone’s lips, from those
who designed the property to those tenants, however temporary, that get
to call this elegant home for awhile.
Of all the plum (pun intended) assignments to garner, your humble
correspondent snagged one of the most anticipated events of the grand
opening, aptly named “Dining Around.” On the evening of Friday, January
18, members of the media were treated to a gastronomic wonderland
featuring many of the Palazzo’s new restaurants, several manned by
celebrity chef/proprietors.
A brief introduction to start the evening’s festivities featured all of
the chefs in attendance assembled onstage. Heavy hitters included Emeril
Lagasse, Charlie Trotter, Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck, all in white,
all larger than life, (c’mon, with this much food around, it’s bound to
happen) but all of them warmly approachable and eager to offer up their
newest creations.
Among the other culinary experiences to be found that evening:
40/40 club – JayZ’s sports themed lounge, (the one with gold and
platinum embedded in the dance floor) can boast some amazing fare: a
signature strawberry cake, not red, but more of a pink velvet, a rich
chocolate martini, generous crab cakes, and crispy chicken wings. You
don’t normally think of a club having exquisite food, but 40/40
redefines normal. Get used to it.
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Carne Vino – Its literal meaning is Meat Wine. Only the vino was
available here, no carne to sample. So even though Mario Batali is my
paesan, I can’t comment on his magnificence yet, but I trust it to be
evident once we get past the liquid stage. One of my favorite redheads
(with shoes to match) is staying with Italian-based meat dishes in this
new venture. Why mess with perfection, right?
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Cut – This table provided plenty of visuals. Huge, raw meat cuts, in a
geometric tower, graced their table until it was time to cook them up.
Then, it was time for the succulent filet morsels to grace my mouth –
utterly fantastic. My compliments to the Puck - Wolfgang that is. The
chef happily spoke to anyone and everyone with a ready smile and
fun-loving demeanor. He’s into organic products these days, including
humanely raised animals – so don’t be afraid to eat them. A carnivore’s
dream come true.
Dos Caminos - A pile of guacamole and chips; roasted banana crepes with
dulce de leche sauce made from goat’s milk centered on petite plates;
copies of Chef Scott Linquist’s cookbook, Mod Mex were there for the
taking. Very generous indeed, and worthy of teeth. Don’t worry, plenty
of them found their way to this table.
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Morels – Who’s got time to braise short ribs for 12 hours? Thankfully,
the great chefs at Morels, who top this delicious bite with a tart,
cherry marmalade. It may sound strange but it works, so well in fact, I
was tempted to hang around a little too long in the hopes of scoring
more of these morsels from Morels. And they let me, bless their hearts.
They also offer a signature cocktail, called Cheval Bleu which muddles
fresh blueberries with Remy Martin VSOP, lime juice, and ginger ale,
garnished with fresh mint. Too many of these easy to swallow concoctions
and you may relax some of your own morals.
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Grand Lux Café - Warm chocolate chip filled banana bread pudding forced
me to transform my mouth into a suction cup, inhaling the confection to
the point of embarrassment. With a whiskey sauce and side of whipped
cream, I both praised and cursed my luck to find it waiting for me. The
flavorful Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya was one of the best dishes at
the event, and the café’s Max Burger incorporates short ribs, bacon and
cheese into one of their most popular creations.
Jade - Tender steak bites piled high on a serving platter beckoned to
me, so I rescued a few from certain death, only to kill them myself. An
extremely solicitous staff will guide you through the more elaborate
offerings, like the varied dim sum. I needed no such help after they
handed it over to me. You probably won’t, either.
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Sushisamba – Blending influences of Peru, Brazil and Asia, the yellow
fin tuna taco in a crispy shell with shredded lettuce was a welcome
palate-pleaser. These seafood artisans also offered devastatingly
handsome sushi creations, looking almost too good to eat. Almost.
Table 10 – If Eric Clapton is Guitar God, then Emeril Lagasse is Cod
God. His black cod creation was some of the tenderest and most flavorful
I’d ever tasted, and I’m somewhat of a fish connoisseur. The generous
chef gifted his guests with gold-ribboned bags containing 375 ml bottles
of Table 10 red table wine. The man himself is down to earth, but his
food is fit for the gods.
Restaurant Charlie – Charlie Trotter made a name for himself in Chicago,
my hometown, so I was especially proud to try his offering, the most
unusual of the evening: Skate with citrus sauce. For the uninitiated,
skate is a variety of stingray, but tastes like a mild fish filet. In
Trotter’s hands it tastes divine with just the right zing from the
citrus. Priding himself on serving only unadulterated food, the chef
scored with one of the most visited tables at the event. He also gifted
guests with small bags full of very coveted chocolate-covered macadamia
nuts.
Woo – Delicate Alaskan King Crab with Jicama Sauce, attractively
assembled in the middle of a small plate wooed me to Woo. With its blend
of Chinese dishes, enhanced by Japanese and California influences, the
Woo family wows with their unique take on a cuisine you think you know.
Think again.
Canyon Ranch Café – Canyon Ranch is a spa dedicated to the wellbeing of
body and mind. Naturally, its café would feature healthy fare. You don’t
want to work so hard on your physique only to eat away your efforts do
you? Well, maybe you do, but here you won’t. The Sweet Potato Gnocchi
was addictive, so once around was enough for fear of being found with my
face in the chafing dish.
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis
Venetian Offerings - My jaws got overworked during the marathon feeding
frenzy, but nothing stopped me from inhaling the spoon-sized servings of
crème brulee featured at this table, along with zabaglione (custard)
topped with fruit puree (mango or berry). Poached pears in baked
“beggar’s purses” and tiny “pots au chocolat” sat waiting like so many
ornaments on draped levels. Was this not heaven? Or at least the
culinary promised land of legendary Las Vegas cuisine. Savory offerings
included a solitary ocean scallop atop a small bed of noodles, pasta and
potatoes and a carved rack of lamb to salivate over.
My suggestion is to eat your way through both properties. Then you’ll
experience it all, and more. Dining around The Palazzo Las Vegas was a
foodie’s paradise - literally slices of heaven on plates and in glasses
– all in the hands of mere mortals. Scores of world class offerings
right here in our own neon-filled backyard. Chew on that, New York and
L.A.
For further information:
The Palazzo
3327 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-607-6363
http://www.palazzolasvegas.com
Miss America 2008 and IHOP Charity
Pancake Breakfast for Children’s Miracle Network at Planet Hollywood
Yes, they DO eat!
I know what you’re thinking: pancakes and young women competing in a
beauty pageant don’t mix. Well, I’m here to tell you that they do, and
did, on the morning of January 18th, in the Grand Ballroom of Planet
Hollywood. The event was co-sponsored by the International House of
Pancakes (IHOP) and the Miss America organization to benefit the
Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to
saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for
children’s hospitals throughout the United States.
Arriving early, I got a few moments in a nearly-empty venue to take in
the decorations and griddle preparations. A patriotic stars and stripes
motif covered each table, with IHOP banners prominently displayed
against one wall, which was where the cooking would take place. IHOP is
celebrating its 50th anniversary and proves that there’s no shortage of
the breakfast fare that made them famous. Buckets of batter were ready
and waiting, while seven large griddles began heating.
Each table had a red rose centerpiece held aloft by an art deco female
figure herself atop a field of red roses. On top of each centerpiece
were crystal crowns of various types and sizes, just so you wouldn’t
forget who was to sit there.
Fans of IHOP will relate to the four syrup bottles that were placed on
each table - Old Fashioned, Butter Pecan, Strawberry and Blueberry
flavors. Friendly and accommodating, red-aproned IHOP personnel along
with representatives from the Children’s Miracle Network were on hand to
answer questions about the event, whether it was food or fact oriented.
As they prepare for 2008 Miss America Live! To be broadcast on TLC on
January 26, from Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, 52 Miss America contestants
(including Miss District of Columbia and Miss Virgin Islands) - began to
fill the Grand Ballroom in their crowns, state sashes and, somewhat
disarmingly, casual clothes. The general public rarely gets to see these
young women in anything but formal wear or swimwear; here they wore
jeans, skirts and dresses and slacks, appearing more like a sorority on
a mission.
Many took their place at the red, white and blue tables. Several brave
souls headed straight for the griddles – not to eat, but to cook for
others. Many tried to flip their creations – and some even succeeded.
With so many griddles and participants, the stacks of pancakes rose to
several dozen in just minutes. Time to eat.
Don’t think that these pancakes were forsaken by the ladies. The seven
griddles were being filled constantly from stainless steel funnel-shaped
contraptions that portioned out enough batter to make perfectly round
spheres of carbohydrate heaven. When enough were ready, your humble
correspondent almost became trampled in the mad stampede, sashes and
crowns a-flyin’
Aside from the buttermilk pancakes, both beef and turkey sausage links
were offered along with colorful fruit trays of melons strawberries,
pineapple slices and grapes. These were attacked with the ferocity of
the Texas chainsaw massacre, but with better wardrobe and hair. (No
offense, Miss Texas, Molly Leigh Hazlett (21) you were truly a lady
about the whole thing and will make a great talk-show host).
Two experienced IHOP chefs took turns burning as many pancakes as the
young women. I didn’t get to see many perfect ones – they were claimed,
covered in butter and syrup and eaten too quickly for the human eye to
perceive.
Several of the ladies tried their hand at pancake perfection. Miss Iowa,
Diana Reed (23) was especially good at flipping them. She does, after
all aspire to the Broadway stage (after receiving her MBA, or course)
and would like to become an entrepreneur in the performing arts
industry.
My former home girl, Miss Illinois, Ashley Nicole Hatfield (24) was
happy to pose for a photo. Beaming a blinding smile my way, the petite
brunette in the cheery yellow blouse then took a good-natured turn with
the spatula. Her career goal is to become a speech pathologist. But not
today, with so many mouths being filled simultaneously.
I also sought out Miss Nevada, Caleche Manos (23) and found a
showgirl-tall blonde with the same dazzling smile. Her career goal is to
attain an MBA and own her own interior design company. Striking in
stature, she certainly improved the aesthetics of the room, just by
being in it. Caleche does our state proud – watch for her.
Contestants raised awareness about IHOP’s National Pancake Day
celebration, a nationwide fundraising effort that generates hundreds of
thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network programs at
children’s hospitals (170 affiliates help 17 million children annually)
throughout the United States. Miss America is the official goodwill
ambassador.
National Pancake Day takes place on February 12, 2008. More than 1,300
IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer guests a free short stack of
buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for
Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities.
The Miss America Organization (along with its state and local
organizations) is the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance
for young women. Last year alone, the organization made available more
than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.
Seeing the contestants all together in one room, relaxed and happy, you
are struck by the diversity of the group. These young women come in all
sizes, hair lengths, ethnic orientations and manner of dress. What they
do have in common is a poised grace and an intelligence that represents
the best of the best in young women today. Ambassadors of kindness and
accomplishment, they belong to honor societies, compete (and win)
scholarships for being the best – in academics, athletics, and community
service. They try to make a difference in the world, and invite us to do
the same, year after year. And that is the true beauty of Miss America.
For further information:
http://www.missamerica.org
http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org
http://www.ihop.com
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