Las Vegas Weekly

February 16, 2009 · 12:46 PM

Strip Scribbles: California Governator is surprise guest at Robert Earl’s lunch

By Robin Leach

Planet Hollywood head honcho Robert Earl and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Photo: California Governor's Office

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger showed his loyalty to an old friend when our Planet Hollywood boss Robert Earl and his 15-year-old son Robbie stopped in Sacramento. They were there as part of an all-restaurant tour of his newly acquired Buca di Beppo chain of 21 restaurants in California. Nationwide, there are 87 of them! The Earls were determined to drop by every one of them on a nonstop, three-day trip! The governor, who was one of the original investors in Planet Hollywood more than 20 years ago, invited the pair to stop in his office for lunch. But they couldn’t make it because of a pre-planned Buca di Beppo staff meeting. So, as the saying goes, you know when the mountain can’t move: Arnold surprised everyone by walking into the restaurant with former NBA star and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson -- and they all had lunch there!

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Bar Refaeli.

Photo: Cashman Photography

Brooklyn Decker and Julie Henderson found Love at The Mirage.

*Those Sports Illustrated swimsuit models just couldn’t leave town, popping up all over the place this past weekend: Cover girl Bar Refaeli returned for her favorite burger at BOA Steakhouse in Caesars Palace. … Jessica Hart took two friends to dinner at Tao in The Venetian and even left room for calorie-filled desserts. … Brooklyn Decker, who is the fiance of tennis ace Andy Roddick, took model pal Julie Henderson to see Cirque du Soleil’s Love at The Mirage, munching on popcorn and sipping water during the show. … Hanging out at LAX were many of the models with Luxor headliners Criss Angel -- with steady gal pal Holly Madison -- and zany comic Carrot Top, plus recording artist John Legend at DJ Sky Nellor’s booth.

*To coincide with the second anniversary of Cirque du Soleil’s Revolution ultra lounge, The Light Group has taken over operations. The nightspot located alongside the Beatles Love Theater will now be operated by the folks who run Jet, The Bank, Stack, Fix, Yellowtail and Diablo’s Cantina.

*N9NE Steakhouse chef Barry Dakake with his wife on a Valentine’s date were comedian Jay Leno’s backstage guests before his performance in the new Terry Fator Theater at The Mirage.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Adam Gregory and Clinton Sparks.

Photo: Hard Rock Hotel

Jason Kennedy, Catt Sadler and Adam Gregory.

Star surveillance

The four-day combined Valentine’s and President’s Day weekend finally gave our city a 100 percent sellout for a change, and showbiz and sports stars were everywhere:

Pop superstar Enrique Iglesias, with a small group of low-key buddies, talked with the few fans who recognized him under his hoodie at a corner dance floor table at Tao. … Guests of nightclub czar Victor Drai at his Tryst, XS and After Hours clubs included Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden, poker star David Williams, U.S. Olympic gold medalist sprinter and Dancing With the Stars contestant Maurice Greene, Golden State Warriors standout Corey Maggette, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady and teammate Chuck Hayes, Orlando Magic guard Tyronn Lue, Oakland Athletics slugger Jason Giambi, UFC fighters Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping, Luxor headliner Criss Angel and Holly Madison, Enrique Iglesias and rapper Too Short, who surprised the raucous crowd with a two-song performance, including his club anthem “Blow the Whistle.” … Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre was spotted at the Country Club in the Wynn. … Over at Pure in Caesars Palace were actor David Zayas (Dexter) and Cincinnati Bengals stars Carson Palmer and TJ Houshmandzadeh. … At Lavo inside the Palazzo, 90210 star Adam Gregory celebrated his upcoming Hannah Montana: The Movie and the Zac Efron film 17 Again with E! News’ Jason Kennedy after their interview and with a group of eight friends over chili cheese fries, pizza and buffalo wings in the Sportsbook Bar and Grill. Adam also turned up at Body English’s Smashtime party in the Hard Rock Hotel. … Actress Dawnn Lewis dined at the Cathouse in the Luxor on slow braised short ribs and wild mushroom ravioli. … U.S. middleweight boxer Ronald “Winky” Wright celebrated Valentine’s Day at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT inside the Palazzo with his wife and son. …
Over at The Playboy Club, Brittany Flickinger, aka Paris Hilton’s New BFF, was fashionably clad in a peach-colored tutu for shots of Patron tequila with her seven friends at the Diamond Bar.

Tonight’s tip

Paul Pierce of the NBA champion Boston Celtics, who has a condo here, hosts the All-Star party at Prive in Planet Hollywood as part of the debut showcase of the King Baby and Queen Baby jewelry lines from English Laundry. … Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker hosts the Me Phi party at XS in the Encore. … Even in advance of the MAGIC fashion week of shows and party, Diesel’s Project pre-party gets underway at Jet in The Mirage with hip-hop artist T-Pain and his Thr33 Ringz. … Run DMC’s daughters Angela and Vanessa Simmons join singers Keri Hilson and Sophia Fresh in a 4 to 6 p.m. Pastry fashion show and concert at Fashion Show. … Chef Geno Bernardo launches “Get Corked” at his Nove Italiano in the Palms Fantasy Tower, with amazing wines at even more amazingly reduced prices.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Criss Angel (right) welcomes fellow illusionist Lance Burton and Burton's mother, Hilma.

Tomorrow’s tease

We join recently departed Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day to celebrate her 25th birthday at Jet and peek at her bare body in her debut as March Playboy’s cover girl. … Vegas DeLuxe welcomes all the MAGIC convention revelers. … Puscifer unleashes its wild and wacky ways at the Palms thanks to Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. … Lance Burton has a different kind of magic for late-night host Craig Ferguson. … And Zowie Bowie will knock your socks off with their new glamour photo!

Share This