Las Vegas Weekly

November 10, 2009 · 3:08 PM

Strip Scribbles: Sesame Street turns 40 with visit from first lady

By Robin Leach

First lady Michelle Obama and Elmo on Sesame Street.

Photo: The Associated Press

Today our Las Vegas PBS affiliate broadcasts the premiere episode of Sesame Street’s 40th season, and it features a visit by first lady Michelle Obama. To mark the occasion, Elmo pays a visit to our Sunrise Children’s Hospital with fun activities for patients.

Sunrise patients will decorate Sesame Street Thanksgiving turkeys and participate in a story time with Elmo and Las Vegas PBS representatives. A birthday card for Sesame Street also will be on hand for children to sign and decorate.

*I encourage you to visit my friend Max Jacobson’s new Web site FoodWineKitchen.com. Max really knows his food and way around the best eating places in Las Vegas on and off the Strip, where he knows all the unknown gems. He’s a brilliant writer, respected food critic and knowledgeable observer and knows more about cuisine and the gastronomic scene than anyone else. You’ll bless the day you discovered his site.

*Australian singer-songwriter Lenka performed at the Rock ’n’ Roll Fashion Show to fight breast cancer as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Local TV and radio personalities appeared along with Zowie Bowie’s Marley Taylor as models paired with cancer survivors to show off our boutiques’ latest fashions at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip benefit. The Las Vegas campaign was part of Pinktober in marking the 10th anniversary of the Hard Rock’s worldwide support of raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

*My pal actor Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Belding on Saved by the Bell, e-mailed to tell me our friend photographer Ron Koch proposed to his girlfriend, and she accepted! They’re now planning the wedding. Ron has taken photos of everybody from Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Mantle to John Travolta and of course Dennis, both as himself and Mr. Belding!

Star surveillance

George Maloof’s Palms is celebrity central. Phil Gordon, author and professional poker player, enjoyed a filet dinner at N9NE Steakhouse with five friends. New York Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield dined there two consecutive nights and ordered lobster bisque, Surf ’n’ Turf and halibut for the dinners. St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson sat at the caviar bar tasting his way through rock shrimp, lobster bisque, pot stickers, oysters Rockefeller and calamari. Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Langston Walker was joined by eight ladies at his table for truffle gnocchi. Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker turned up for dinner in the lounge, indulging in a special order of the double scampi, rock shrimp, sides of broccoli with mac and cheese and followed by a banana split. On a week off from touring, Las Vegas resident rocker Vince Neil hit N9NE with wife Lia for the stone crabs and Caesars salad and finishing with red velvet cupcakes. Next night, the Motley Crue singer was at Palms Place at Iron Chef Kerry Simon’s restaurant Simon with the new TV dinner of fried chicken and mashed potatoes from the room service menu. Racecar driver Michael Andretti and friends also were at Simon.

Photo: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Tiesto and Z-Trip at Rain in the Palms.

Photo: Shane O'Neal/N9NE Group

Mike Piazza at Nove Italiano in the Palms.

At Nove Italiano in the Palms, ex-MLB catcher Mike Piazza reveled in the mozzarella pizza, salami and shrimp franchaise. He shared stories of his recent trip to Italy while signing executive chef Geno Bernardo’s kitchen door of celebrity names. … Upstairs at The Playboy Club, Wes Scantlin, Puddle of Mudd lead singer and guitarist, had drinks at the bar. … At Moon, singer Donnie Klang of MTV’s Making of the Band 4, arrived with a group of six. Shortly after midnight, he took the mic for a three-song set. … Z-Trip's Revolution inside Rain featured a surprise appearance by DJ Tiesto. After he chatted with resident DJ Z-Trip, Tiesto posed for photos. … The Offspring performed an eight-song set at Rain, while TV host and actor Wee-Man partied with friends.

Photo: Shane O'Neal/N9NE Group

Donnie Klang of MTV's Making of the Band 4 at Moon in the Palms.

Photo: Shane O'Neal/N9NE Group

Puddle of Mudd singer and guitarist Wes Scantlin at The Playboy Club in the Palms.

At Dos Caminos in the Palazzo, Mike Piazza ordered guacamole, asada tacos, snapper and lobster ceviche and skirt steak salad, along with Don Julio Blanco margaritas and Modelo Especial beer. Gary Sheffield watched college football in the lounge. … Zowie Bowie singer Chris Phillips traded the guys for the girls. Chris went from The Men of X to see X Burlesque and wound up onstage for the Mile High Club routine!

Photo: TVT

Chef Andre Rochat.

*My star chef friend Andre Rochat hosts a Cognac & Cigar dinner at his Andre’s in the Monte Carlo on Thursday. The meal features five courses and five cognacs, plus after-dinner cigars in the private lounge with Andre’s Private Label 50-year blend. It’s a not-to-be-missed dinner with Australian lobster Thermidor, duck foie gras and venison loin with creamed pumpkin and spinach. It ends with a caramel chocolate fondant, and every course includes a fine XO VSOP champagne cognac. Call (702) 798-7151 for reservations for the $185-per-person feast.

Tonight’s tips

Giorgio’s at Mandalay Place is teaming with Sierra Brewing for a beer-pairing dinner. Three courses, three beers and a three-month beer pairing. … Comic Vince Morris headlines at Harrah’s Improv with Jeff Burgart and Joanie Fagan through Sunday. … The Glamour Kills Tour pulls into House of Blues at Mandalay Bay with All Time Low, We the Kings, Hey Monday and The Friday Night Boys.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

The men of Thunder From Down Under at the Brenden Celebrity Suite at the Palms.

Tomorrow’s teases

Amid bruising legal wars, The Rat Pack returns to the Strip thanks to Buddy Hackett’s son, Sandy. He’s got the gang of Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey Bishop back together for the magic moments of old-time Las Vegas. Carlos Santana returns for more concerts to his Hard Rock Hotel residency, and our sexy photo feature as the topless temptresses of Fantasy take on the handsome hunks of Thunder From Down Under.

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.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

— From Vegas Deluxe

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