Las Vegas Weekly

November 4, 2009 · 3:34 PM

Counter Intelligence: Meatballs, truffles, Dan Marino, Josette’s Bistro

By Robin Leach

Steve Martorano is flanked by Archie Manning and Peyton Manning at Cafe Martorano.

Photo: Primetime PR

Hot off the grill! It’s Steve Martorano’s first-ever Master’s Meatball Eating Championships, and top-ranked, major league eaters will meet at the star-studded Italian restaurant in The Rio on Sunday for a high-noon showdown. The contestants include No. 1-ranked Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who wants the distinguished title of world meatball-eating champion and the lion’s share of a $3,000 cash purse.

Joey has won the past three Fourth of July Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating contests and dozens of other big eating contests, including funnel cake, ribs and kolaches. Steve’s Master’s, however, will be Joey’s first competition since falling to Takeru Kobayashi in the world hamburger-eating championship in September. Joey will face stiff competition Sunday as Martorano’s Masters will feature one of the most competitive fields on the circuit, including the return of Rich “The Locust” LeFevre.

Photo: Primetime PR

Dan Marino with Steve Martorano at Cafe Martorano.

Rich, the 65-year-old Major League Eating legend and Henderson resident, will be coming out of retirement in hopes of claiming the inaugural Martorano’s Masters title. Rich is a veteran with world records in disciplines including Spam, chili and huevos rancheros. News of Rich’s return has rocked the MLE world.

“Many believed we would never see LeFevre at the competition table again,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “But I am told that he is too familiar with the succulent Martorano’s meatballs to witness someone win the title on his home turf.” Other top contenders include rookie Ben Monson and No. 3-ranked Bob Shoudt, who has been dubbed the “Victorious B.O.B.” after four consecutive MLE victories in September, including burritos, grits and chili spaghetti.

Photo: Primetime PR

Steve Martorano with Steve Stowe and Shaq.

The 10-minute contest will feature Martorano’s famous meatballs prepared by chef and owner Steve. In an effort to honor and respect Martorano’s meatballs, competitors go “hands off” to avoid stuffing and must use utensils during the contest, a rule that will further test the skill of the eating professionals.

“I am very excited to host the Martorano’s Masters Meatball Eating Championship at my Rio restaurant in Las Vegas,” Steve said. “The competitors will be eating one of the world's best meatballs, so they might even slow down to enjoy the taste.”

The MLE-sanctioned contest will take place at noon, and the public is invited to attend. I’ll be there to witness the contest, and we’ll have the photo report Monday.

Truffles at Valentino’s

It’s white truffle season at Valentino in The Venetian, and last night I devoured the new arrivals from Alba, Italy, shaved over myriad taste treats, including risotto, pasta and Napa Valley quail. The only word to use is fantastico! It was an incredible meal, and I didn’t object one moment when my charge went ca-ching for $330 for two of us! Valentino partners and owner Pierro Selvaggio and James Beard Award-winning executive chef Luciano Pellegrini presided over the feast that attracted a sold-out crowd of SEMA convention delegates.

Photo: Valentino

White truffles at Valentino.

Their world-class meals taste even better with the legendary truffles from Italy's Piedmont region, truly the height of haute cuisine. Available only a few months each year, this gastronomical object of desire fetches several thousand dollars per pound. The beauty of the white truffle is that you need only a few grams, shaved tableside over your dish, to experience its full aroma and flavor.

Valentino is offering its guests the opportunity to enjoy white truffle season with a variety of options. Daily white truffle specials are available, or diners also have the option of ordering a topping of shaved white truffle a la carte to any appetizer ($20 for 2 grams) or main course ($40 for 4 grams).

Photo: Pure Management Group

Dan Marino.

Dan Marino’s restaurant

Legendary former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino will attend tonight’s grand opening of his Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza at Town Square, where he is partner and owner. It is the 18th Anthony’s restaurant and the first outside Florida. Founder Anthony Bruno will make an appearance with the NFL Hall of Fame quarterback from 5 to 8 p.m.

Photo: Mandalay Bay

Mix inside The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.

Napkin notes

Executive chef Bruno Davaillon has moved from Alain Ducasse’s Mix atop The Hotel at Mandalay Bay and settled this week to the top-toque spot Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. … The gorgeous girls of Fantasy at the Luxor take on the hot hunks of Excalibur’s Thunder From Down Under in a human rooster fight at Tacos & Tequilas in the Luxor at 6 p.m. Two contestants dressed as roosters with balloons tied to their ankles attempt to take down their opponent in the action-packed duel until one is left standing. My bet’s on the girls! … Good luck and congratulations to Hubert Keller’s Fleur de Lys General Manager Tobias Peach at Mandalay Bay, who began the opening preparations this week for award-winning Chicago star chef Shawn McClain’s new restaurant Sage at Aria in CityCenter. … Dos Caminos in the Palazzo received such a strong response to its first cooking class that a second has been added for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Executive chefs Scott Linquist and Roberto Hernandez promise the opportunity to make your own version of the restaurant’s guacamole, followed by a demonstration of dishes and lunch of all the items you and they prepare.

Josette’s Bistro closing

After eight years, Josette’s Bistro will close Nov. 21, and owner chef Josette LeBlond will move her crew downtown to open the Las Vegas Rocks Cafe on Fremont Street by Dec. 1. Josette’s Bistro opened in September 2002 when the vivacious French chef converted a sterile Jitters location into a cozy, authentic French restaurant featuring fine wines and live entertainment. In the past year, her cooking show La Cuisine has filmed 13 episodes from the bistro and will move downtown to continue shooting. At the cafe, Josette has created a new menu that’s being tested at Josette’s Bistro. Menu items include The Bugsy Burger, The Louie Primavera Pasta, Lake Mead Dip, Charo’s Chili and Casino Chip Nachos.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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— From Vegas Deluxe

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