Las Vegas Weekly

August 6, 2010 · 2:59 PM

Photos: Max Brenner opens chocolate shop at Caesars Palace

By Robin Leach

The grand opening of Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on Aug. 3, 2010.

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

Chef and restaurateur Max Brenner held a VIP opening reception this week for his new dining spot in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on hand when bon vivant Max invited guests to enjoy samples of some of the great food offerings, chocolate and signature drinks that he's now serving for the first time in Las Vegas.

Max has taken over the Forum space previously occupied by Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois before it was converted into the now-shuttered OPM nightclub. Max, innovator and creator of the new chocolate culture, has said in his role of worldwide chocolate king: “Chocolate is not just about taste. It’s a symbol of different aspects in our lives of romance, of sensuality, of decadence. These aspects actually create the new chocolate culture of Max Brenner.”

Chocolate by the Bald Man has spread its culture to the United States with its online shop and locations in New York City, Philadelphia, a new location in Boston later this year and now Las Vegas. His chocolate creations have attracted celebrities including Tina Fey, John Travolta and Paula Deen.

As I was flying home from Italy, Erik reported for Vegas DeLuxe: “It’s a large, two-story restaurant and chocolate shop with walkup service, a chocolate and gift shop, private dining rooms, a balcony and ample seating on both stories for dining.

“Mayor Oscar Goodman stopped by for a tour and participated in a Chocolate Breaking Ceremony where he and Max broke a large block of chocolate over cinder blocks to commemorate the opening. First guests were already lined up early eager to get inside for the world famous chocolate phenomenons.

Erik reported that Max offers much more than chocolate, as the menu includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chef Chris Santos, owner of The Stanton Social in New York, heads up the kitchen that prepares salads, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas and finger foods without chocolate.

“But chocolate is everywhere else! It’s just chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate ... vats of it swirling and pumping through pipes running everywhere above, below and all around. It’s a full menu of the basics, plus all things that conjure up Willie Wonka."

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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