Chef must cook before he exits
Chef Michael Laplaca is leaving Las Vegas for Cleveland, and his friends at Starboard Tack, 2601 Atlantic St., are throwing him a going-away party. But they’ve asked him to cook. The chef, who most recently opened Osteria Costa at
The Mirage, is best known as the man who breathed new life into The Mirage’s Portofino before its eventual closing. On Sept. 28, he’ll take over the kitchen of the popular eastside bar to prepare a multi-course menu showcasing favorite dishes from his 12 years in Las Vegas. More details are expected this week.
Another chef leaving
RM Seafood chefde cuisine Sean Collins isalso leaving town, heading to Napa Valley. Collins has taken a position at Chris Cosentino’s Acacia House at the Las Alcobas hotel in St. Helena. Michael Fraunheim, whohasworkedatrmfor over four years, will take over his duties.
Downtown opening delayed
Branden Powers tells us the goal of a Halloween opening for his new Heavy Metal Pizza Party in the Artsdistrict is looking less achievable, and he may endup pushing it to early next year. He’s exploring the possibility adding video poker machines, trying to secure a second space next door to the original site at 1212 Main
St., and developing a pair of animatronic characters who will entertain diners from a balcony area. We’re told one of those characters is loosely based on Ozzy Osbourne, while his cohort will bear a resemblance to the late Lemmy of Motorhead.
A big outdoor table
This month’s Project Dinner Table location has been changed to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Orchard on Farm Road in the northern valley. Tickets are $220 for the event, which begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 29. projectdinnertable.com
Retro lounge opens
The Thunderbird Boutique Hotel, 1215 Las Vegas CONFIDANTE
Thin Mint crumble, and topped each with toasted marshmallows on sticks.
Cut’s Nicole Erle tended to a garden of tiny candy flower pots filled with cheesecake, tropical gelee and a crumble of Thin Mint “dirt” sprouting colorful edible flowers. And those seeking more traditional preparationscouldchoosefroman array of gourmet cakes, popsicles and ice cream interpretations of the evening’s theme. As they entered the main ballroom, each guest was asked to vote on their favorite creation.
The evening wasn’t entirely about dessert, of course. There were also live and silent auctions, a performance by Blue Man Group and a full meal from the Caesars Palace catering kitchen. The nonprofit organization also honored 10 female community leaders who can serve as inspiration and examples for girls.
Thatthemewasalsoinstrumental in choosing the pastry chef participants. Each was a woman atthetopofherfield,whohas succeeded in Las Vegas’ maledominated culinary industry.
For Michelle Tribble, who created a Thin Mint chocolate cake with Thin Mint mousse and mint whipped cream, being a role model to young women is nothing new. The winner of last season’s Hell’s Kitchen and chef at the Caesars Palace restaurant based on the Gordon Ramsay TV show, she’s very aware that her success sets an example for girls and
women with culinary dreams.
“Being on Hell’s Kitchen, I think more than 50 percent of the winners ontheshowarefemale.andthat really gives young girls who want to become chefs the encouragement to do that. They can see me on the show doing so well, winning, becoming a chef here in Las Vegas, and that inspires a lot of women to dowhattheywant,goforit.evenif it is a male-driven industry, just try anyway, because it’s going to happen.”
Lorena Garcia, whose mint mousse tacos topped with Thin Mintcrumbleswerechosenasthe favorite dessert of the evening, said she was thrilled to see so many
Girl Scouts at the event, witnessing the women who had succeeded in the field.
“You have no idea how happy this makes me that I see these little girls,” she said.
Hillers’ creations took the second place medal. And miniature Thin Mint martinis (mint milkshakes with chocolate “olives”) by Stratosphere chef Cynthia Werth, came in third. The evening’s real winners, however were the Girl Scouts. In addition to shining a spotlight on strong female role models, the evening raised more than $800,000 to support the organization’s various projects.
Contact Al Mancini at amancini @reviewjournal.com. Follow @Almancinivegas on Twitter.