Las Vegas Weekly

July 9, 2008 · 1:35 PM

The governor’s nightclub dinner with the stars

By Robin Leach

From left to right, Tao owner Jason Strauss, former Nevada attorney general George Chanos, actor Billy Zane and Lynn Freeman.

Photo: Judy Eddy

In the midst of a divorce scandal, it's obvious that headline is meant to titillate -- I have no shame! But it’ll make you read on as Luxe Life notes all the stars that surrounded Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons when he made a surprise late-night dinner visit to the Tao Asian bistro in the Venetian! Also there -- just tables away -- by total coincidence was former Nevada attorney general George Chanos with actor Billy Zane, and nearby, comedy actor Damon Wayans was ordering up the Kobe Beef, crispy lobster and shrimp dumplings with the assorted sushi.

After dinner, Billy Zane grabbed a VIP table on the dance floor, where UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn and WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber celebrated the first-year anniversary of Fight! Magazine with ring-girl Arianny Celeste. Also enjoying the fun was Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. At 3 a.m., R&B singer Tyrese decided to surprise everyone when he treated the crowd to a surprise 45-minute unexpected performance, including his biggest hit, "How You Gonna Act Like That."

Earlier, comedian Ray Romano was in an early dinner -- a party of eight, including Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines. They dined on the Shabu Shabu, Chilean sea bass and shrimp pad thai, and thanked the chef and his staff before leaving.

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