Las Vegas Weekly

September 18, 2008 · 3 PM

Strip Scribbles: Rival boxers meet by coincidence, and Jessica Simpson’s baby bump?

By Robin Leach

*Rumors have started that as incredible impressionist Danny Gans prepares to leave his long run at the Mirage to start a whole new headliner residency at the Wynn Las Vegas, he might well be taking another Strip headliner with him. The magical idea, apparently, is that four nights a week the other star would handle early show duties prior to Danny’s later performance and when Danny’s former Monty Python theater (being renamed folks) is "dark."

*Blonde-haired and beautiful Jessica Simpson will show her new country-side at the Pearl concert theater in the Palms tonight -- and we may find out if she also shows a baby bump! Then we get to confirm the rumors and congratulate the singer and her Dallas Cowboys beaufriend, Tony Romo. Ironically, it was also at the Palms that we broke the news confirming baby sister Ashlee was pregnant with rocker Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy being the proud poppa. Jessica is the star attraction at the fifth-annual ‘Nina’s Night Out’ hosted by TV 13 Action News anchor Nina Radetich as a fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Center.

There’s a two-hour-plus pre-concert cocktail reception at the Moon nightclub in the Palms and Jessica has promised to drop in for a personal appearance before going on stage. Our neighbor colleagues at the Las Vegas Sun are among the super sponsors!

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Singing sisters Jessica and Ashlee Simpson.

*We’ve unraveled some more juicy tidbits following our item yesterday about the dinner at N9NE restaurant in the Palms that had rival fighters Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather at adjoining tables -- totally by coincidence! First Floyd was set to arrive with his party of 22 at 7:30 p.m. but he was the one who changed his reservation to a later 10 p.m. when he learned that was when Oscar was being seated! N9NE’s celebrity chef Barry Dakake wanted both fighters to sign his kitchen door but Floyd wouldn’t go back with Oscar – so they went separately. While waiting for Oscar to pen his autograph, Floyd told Palms owner George Maloof: “I whooped him once. If he wants I’ll do it again.” George, who was dining with handsome Mario Lopez in a party of 12, tried to get both fighters to sign a tablecloth agreement to start negotiations for a rematch with Floyd coming out of retirement for the battle! Oscar said: ”Maybe we can ink another deal and go at it again.” Floyd said he’d take him on if he wasn’t beaten in December by Manny Pacquino here in Vegas! Floyd bulked up on the lobster bisque and the lamb served with corn and asparagus. Oscar had rock shrimp as his appetizer and a double order of sashimi for his entrée. After the jousting meals, Mario went up to the Playboy Club and in between drinks at the dance-floor table he played 20 minutes of blackjack. His night wasn’t over because after that he and his date carried on to the Moon nightclub above, where they stayed until 2:30 a.m.! Mario, who went from Saved by the Bell to Dancing with the Stars became the new host of EXTRA, the nightly entertainment program on Monday this week.

Mario Lopez and his date with Roberto Semidei

*Restaurant notes: Today is the grand re-opening of the new look mod-Mexican Border Grill and Too Hot Tamales. Chef-owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger will be cooking up a storm at the Mandalay Bay hot spot with executive chef Mike Minor. There will be exciting new dishes and their sizzling south-of-the border specialties ... Alessandro Marino will be pouring my favorite Italian wines from Castello delle Regine at the new unique Dal Toro Lamborghini car museum restaurant at the Palazzo tonight … celebrity chef Alex Stratta, who runs his elegant four-star gastronomic pleasure palace at the Wynn Las Vegas, has now added a more casual rustic Italian open-fire dinner spot, “Stratta,” also at the Wynn and the prestigious Zagat Guide already has raved with another tip of the toque to the master cook ... star chef Charlie Palmer has created a unique Sunday Supper series for his newly decorated steakhouse at the Four Seasons in Mandalay Bay. This Sunday he offers a choice between Rib Eye and Salmon for the main dish served with his now-famous fantastic double baked truffle potato! Every Sunday night it’s a different five-course menu, including changing desserts for just $70 per person and that includes the wine pairings. If you’re not into the vino its just $48 per person -- a true economic miracle after this week of shattering Wall Street meltdowns! All weekend long the new $15 million Sushi Samba hotspot at the Palazzo will be celebrating its official gala opening with samba dancers and the cast of HBO’s hit show Entourage. The new eatery and Sugarcane Ultra Lounge is a clever combination of Japanese sushi-styled food with Brazilian music and Peruvian taste-treats.

Courtesy

Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.

* STAR SURVEILLANCE: The xotic xciting X girls from the Flamingo are known for flashing their assets on stage -- but they covered up when it was time to hit the streets and help our heroic firefighters around town with their annual fundraising campaign….. actress and supermodel Angie Everhart checked out the new Lavo restaurant and boutique club at the Palazzo. Also there was former 98 degrees band member Jeff Timmons, who arrived at 1 a.m. in the club with three friends in tow.

Tonight's tip

It’s the end-of-summer pool bash for the Rio’s Voodoo Beach, so Grammy Award-nominated indie rock band Shiny Toy Guns play a FREE -- yes FREE -- beachside concert. Go early, as doors open at 6 p.m. Down the Strip at South Point casino, the trio of temptresses known as The Bangles play poolside down the Strip at South Point -– but that comes with a $35 ticket price. DJ Girl 6 gets the groove going as of 7 p.m. The amateur version of

Photo: Stabile

X girls and firefighters

"Iron Chef," known as "Kiss My Palate," takes place at the Stirling Club opposite the Hilton with chefs from Charlie Palmer, Rosemary’s, Treasure Island and Six Tables banging pans against each other. Our entertainer friends the Scintas (PHOTO) and George Bugatti will be part of the cook off and it's all to raise funds for Project Shero’s emergency programs for needy children at the Boys & Girls Club. Late night at Moon nightclub in the Palms, self-taught sculptor Dale Mathis presents an art exhibition based on his October Playboy magazine feature layout.

Tomorrow's tease

Luxe Life takes a peek at the cutting-edge technology in play at the new MGM $11 billion CityCenter project making it the world's most advanced hotel complex, plus Dawn from Danity Kane invites you to her Vegas birthday party, and the Hard Rock hotel plays host to poker pros and super sports stars to open its new ultra-hedonistic poker palace.

Photo: Scott Doctor

The Scintas

Share This