Archive for November, 2009

Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo and Miles Austin were hanging out  together with friend Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl) in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino doing some gambling and then later partying it up in Body English.

Last night (Saturday, Nov. 21) at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas: Actor Alfonso Ribeiro dining at in Rare120.  While there, he was seen shaking hands with Jason Giambi.  Later, Ribeiro was seen greeting DJ Clinton Sparks in Body English nightclub.  Also spotted partying with friends in the nightclub,  Detroit Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Willis.

On a girl’s trip to Las Vegas in celebration of her 50th birthday, Emmy-award winning actress Allison Janney (The West Wing, 9 to 5), along with Megan Hilty (Wicked, 9 to 5) and two girlfriends, attended the 7 pm performance of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage tonight: Thursday, November 19, 2009.   The women all sipped  champagne during the show and afterwards went backstage to meet former Broadway cast mates, Brendan King and Bryan Lefeber, both “Nowhere Men” in the cast of LOVE.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20, 2009 — While adoring fans of “Guiding Light” are tearful that the longest running show in history has been cancelled, the “LIGHT” still shines on.  The final episode has aired…and now the most beloved actors from “Guiding Light” are hitting the road, and making their only West Coast stop to personally thank and say goodbye to the loyal followers of the show.  With sold out stops in both Pittsburgh and Atlanta, these engaging events are completely unprecedented and unique, allowing fans to see the stars they’ve watched for decades in ways they never dreamed possible. The Las Vegas extravaganza will take place in the convention center of the Rio on Saturday, Dec. 5 with a daytime session from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and an evening session that runs 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The daytime session includes an insightful question & answer session, a photo op with several actors, a behind-the-scenes presentation from a “Guiding Light” director and a hilarious, high-energy scene acting portion where randomly selected fans have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to act out real scenes with the actors using actual scripts.  The evening session begins with light hors d’oeuvres, followed by a musical interlude of vocal performances by the stars, where attendees are again, seeing the actors as never before. The “magic” continues as the actors reveal and expose feelings and stories that many have never shared with each other.

Throughout the day, fans will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada. Items being auctioned are priceless to “Guiding Light” fans, as these treasures are straight from the sets and dressing rooms of the show.  Items include a beaded gown worn by “Reva,” a stunning faux pearl and diamond necklace worn by “Dinah,” decorative items from the yearly Bauer barbeque and the granite Spaulding tombstone. This silent auction opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 7:45 p.m.  Winners must be present to win.

Tickets are available www.celebrityeventsgroup.com  or by calling 1-866-364-0330. The charge for either the day or evening session is $90.00 or $170.00 for both.  Those attending the combo session will receive pre-autographed headshots of all 12 actors. “So, Long, Springfield” merchandise is available for purchase and makes a great gift.  Celebrity Events Group, LLC is the premier company committed to bringing stars and audiences everywhere, closer together through spectacular, interactive events.

Dana White, President of UFC, was at Playboy Club on Wednesday night (11.18.09) with a group of ten guests.  The party had champagne and vodka cocktails while playing some blackjack with the famed Bunny dealers. White was drinking Fiji Water and wore jeans and a t-shirt.  He also stopped to pose for a few photos with one of the Playboy Bunnies.

Actress Allison Janney (well known for her role on the TV series The West Wing), celebrated her 50th birthday at N9NE Steakhouse with a group of girlfriends.  They enjoyed a couple rounds of Espresso Shots and for dinner Janney had a Fall Salad and shared a 40 oz. ribeye for two. She was surprised with a delicious chocolate birthday cake at the end of dinner.  Afterwards, the group went to Playboy Club where they sat at a VIP table and had Ketel One cocktails. Janney was overheard telling friends it was the best night of her life.  Later in the evening, she was presented with the Playboy Key by two Playboy Bunnies.

Other celerity key holders include George Clooney, Matt Damon, Josh Duhamel, Paris Hilton, Michael Phelps, Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani and many more.

Chuck Liddell, mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion, had dinner in N9NE Steakhouse on Wednesday night (11.18.09) with a large party of nearly 30 guests.  They dined on an assortment of shellfish platters, famous rock shrimp, lobster potstickers and fall salads.   Liddell, had a filet accompanied by lobster mash potatoes and drank FIJI Water.  In town for the fights at The Pearl, inside the Palms Casino Resort, Liddell was sporting a “Chuck Liddell Supplements” t-shirt and jeans.

Dining separately in N9NE Steakhouse was Clay Guida, professional mixed martial arts fighter currently fighting in the UFC as a lightweight.  He was joined by five friends for a late dinner in the main dining room.  The group enjoyed the shellfish platter and rock shrimp to start, followed by a wedge salad, lamb chops and green beans.  Guida was wearing a dark OTM fight t-shirt and jeans.

Joe Montana, retired NFL star, had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse with Executive Chef Barry Dakake and several friends in the main dining room. Montana had Morty’s Lemon Chicken, a sliced NY steak and rigatoni pasta. Following dinner Montana headed into the kitchen to hang with Chef Dakake and add a few more items of memorabilia to his growing collection.

Hussong’s Cantina & Taqueria will be opening soon at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.
The restaurant is hiring for all Front of House and Back of House Positions for All Shifts.

Open Positions Include:
Managers
Administration, Bookkeeping and HR
Purchasing
Hostess
Servers
Bussers
Runners
Sous Chef
Kitchen Manager
Cooks
Dishwashers
Porters
Bartenders
Barbacks

If you have the skills, Hussong’s has the location and the atmosphere. Hussong’s Cantina promotes a fun friendly family environment.
Applications are accepted at 215 E Warm Springs Rd Suite 103, Las Vegas NV (on the corner of E Warm Springs Rd and Gilespie St.) between the hours of 11:00 am and 4:00 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Hussong’s Cantina is an equal opportunity employer.

Actor Chris North spotted enjoying dinner last night at AGO inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas (ECFLV) names Kevin Dimond as president to lead the rapidly growing organization.  Dimond, former ECFLV vice president, takes on the role of executive board president, heading up the Foundation’s leadership team. Does Dimond know that phrase “you are only as good as the company you keep”?  This organization has had conflicts from its inception.  Threatening lawsuits to The Nevada Restaurant Association and trying to procure the name “Epicurean” after years of holding successful fundraising events.  Not to mention the general distaste from many restaurateurs of its founder.  The question of “Is this another marketing directive created to increase sales?”.    Maybe someone should check the volume of wine and spirits purchased from Southern Wine vs. Wirtz Beverage at Aureole, where Dimond hangs his hat.  My guess is that the scale ways heavy to the SWS side.  This SWS stronghold has been a general industry concern of this organization since its creation by a former SWS employee.  The liquor wars in Vegas have been problematic for many start ups.  It has been hard to compete due to having to make mandatory product purchases in order to get an allotment of top shelf products along with the rumored 75% rule (a restaurant must carry 75% of a certain distributors wine list) sources have told us that the rule was the cause of the firing of many top wine buyers in the city.  Of course, competition is always good.  However, due to the franchise liquor laws in this state the companies are not able to sell the same products,  Thus, never competing at a true level of competitive pricing.   The answer to this problem is simple.  Find a way to lure the buyers to your team.  Appealing to someone’s ego is certain to sway anyone’s decisions.

In his new role, Dimond will lead the Foundation’s primary charitable endeavor of establishing college scholarships for local students seeking a career in the hospitality and culinary industries.  Each year, the Foundation awards a handful of academic scholarships to Clark County high school graduates who demonstrate the academic ability, personal dedication and promise that is required to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, but lack the financial means to achieve their goals.  The students receive financial support of up to $10,000 per year that goes toward tuition, books and other educational expenses and fees.  Scholarship recipients also receive ongoing guidance and mentoring from the members of the Foundation throughout their educational experience.

“Kevin’s years of experience in the hospitality and food and beverage industries as well as his personal commitment and dedication to the Epicurean Charitable Foundation, will make him a great leader for our executive committee,” said Rino Armeni, founder of ECFLV and former SWS employee. “His passion for food and beverage as well as his extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry will undoubtedly be a large part of the Foundation’s future success.”

Dimond knew from an early age that a career in the hospitality industry was his calling. At age 14, he entered the industry as an apprentice in a restaurant where he learned the basics of the restaurant business. Later, Dimond attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York.  In his early career in the F&B industry, he held such positions as executive sous chef at Opryland Hotel as well as executive sous chef and executive chef with Ritz-Carlton. It was during his tenure with the Ritz-Carlton that the organization soon recognized the advanced leadership skills possessed by Dimond and quickly promoted him to Director of Quality in which he relocated to Las Vegas to open the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas. Currently, Dimond serves as General Manager of Aureole at Mandalay Bay.

Carlos Santana dined at Morton’s The Steakhouse last night (Monday, November 16) with two guests. He ordered Lobster Bisque, Cajun Ribeye and a side of Asparagus. For dessert, he noshed on Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake.