Las Vegas Weekly

August 16, 2010 · 4:49 PM

Strip Scribbles: Eight of Top 10 U.S. star chefs have ties to Las Vegas

By Robin Leach

Wolfgang Puck's CUT Steakhouse at the Palazzo.

Photo: Kirvin Doak Communications

Eight of America’s Top 10 celebrity chefs listed by the world’s largest travel Web site have a connection to Las Vegas. Expedia’s Trip Advisor even declares Wolfgang Puck’s CUT at the Palazzo, Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM Grand and Todd English’s Olives in the Bellagio as four of the country’s Top 10!

Other Las Vegas kitchen kings who were chosen, but for their out-of-town restaurants, were Thomas Keller from Bouchon at The Venetian, Daniel Boulud from Daniel at the Wynn, Mario Batali from B&B & Carnevino at The Venetian and Palazzo and Emeril Lagasse from Delmonico’s & Table 10 also at The Venetian and Palazzo.

Here’s the full ranking released over the weekend: 1) Thomas Keller, Per Se, NYC; 2) Daniel Boulud, Daniel, NYC; 3) Wolfgang Puck, CUT, Palazzo, Las Vegas; 4) Mario Batali & Nancy Silverton, Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles; 5) Masaharu Morimoto, Morimoto, Philadelphia; 6) Bobby Flay, Mesa Grill, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas; 7) Gordon Hamersley, Hamersley’s Bistro, Boston; 8) Emeril Lagasse, Nola, New Orleans; 9) Tom Colicchio, Craftsteak, MGM Grand, Las Vegas; and 10) Todd English , Olives, Bellagio.

All 10 celebrity chef-owned restaurants were ranked within the top 1 percent of more than 560,000 restaurants listed worldwide! The final rankings were established from a staggering 35 million reviews and opinions from 20 million members, the largest travel community in the world.

*Spies say that Hard Rock Hotel resident headliner Carlos Santana has become engaged to rock and jazz drummer Cindy Blackman, and they’ve purchased a home here in Las Vegas as his shows in The Joint have been extended into next year. Carlos reportedly proposed while they were on tour in Illinois on July 9. His first studio album in five years titled Guitar Heaven drops Sept. 21.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Ah, the gossip mill is alive with the sound of music and money! … Why has Holly Madison’s co-star Laura Croft launched her own Web site with the intriguing URL of IHateLauraCroft.com? ... What major Strip entertainer is funding his girlfriend’s ambitious plans to launch her own modeling agency? … Did HBO give the green light to film a new hometown TV series filming four days in the life of four Las Vegas beauties? … Which reality TV series star here had her lips overly pumped up in an ambitious plastic surgery? ... Which visible star has been dating up a storm with different busty beauties seemingly to confirm that his marriage is on the rocks? … Is it true that a major Vegas club figure dated two rival blonde beauties? ... Which Vegas glamour girl made a trip away from home with a new instant boyfriend who showered her with expensive designer clothes -- and then sold the duplicates she already owned when she got back here? … Who was the high roller who bought a 15-liter and a 12-liter bottle of Veuve Clicquot for a $22,500 tab? Hew Burney’s photograph shows how heavy the bottle was for the servers!

*Lavo’s second anniversary celebrations were topped off with a wedding at Tao Beach when Giuliano Scortecci and Heather Leigh Sosaman from Southern California exchanged vows yesterday in a ceremony conducted by Tao Beach’s own Marklen Kennedy, who is ordained by Universal Life Church. Reality TV star Stephanie Pratt served as the witness and took photos with the happy swimsuit couple who wed in front of a crowd. Manufactured Superstars, the DJs for the Beatport Beach Party, provided the music.

*Romance also was in the air at Criss Angel’s Believe at the Luxor. Jim, from Ohio, proposed to his girlfriend of more than two years, Linda, during the illusionist’s performance. After Linda shouted yes, Criss congratulated the couple and posed for photos with the couple in front of the audience. Tonight at midnight, Criss, who is in L.A. for NBC’s America’s Got Talent, appears with Ozzy Osbourne and Hayden Christensen on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

*Comedian Brad Garrett makes a surprise return to his Comedy Club at the Tropicana tomorrow and Wednesday. He’s flying in to perform and kick off the new Tuesday locals night with Spence from KLUC Radio.

*They’ve split up as far as romance goes, but they’ve kept the sizzle alive onstage together. Now Zowie Bowie returns to their Phoenix home Sept. 5 for The One Night Stand concert, where Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor will be inducted into the Arizona Nightclub Performers Hall of Fame. With the completion of their run at the Monte Carlo, the duo returns to Red Rock Resort as of Sept. 3.

*Tune into Howard Stern’s 101 Sirius Radio Live today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for Scott Ferrall’s sports talk show when our contributing videographer Richard Corey discusses sports stars partying in Las Vegas.

*In this photograph provided by Glenn Pinkerton of Las Vegas News Bureau, guests had the opportunity to meet and socialize with out and proud chef Susan Feniger at her Border Grill in Mandalay Bay during one of the many Fabulous Las Vegas LGBT events over the weekend. Susan most recently competed with fellow Mandalay Bay chef Rick Moonen on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Rick finished runner-up to Marcus Samuelsson.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Blues royalty B.B. King returns to his B.B. King’s Blues Club at The Mirage for shows through tomorrow. The Grant Garland Trio kicks it off with two dinner shows at 6 and 8 p.m., then The King, who has released more than 50 albums, hits the stage. … A showcase of photographic wonders from our good friend Jerry Metellus is on display at Mandarin Oriental at MGM’s CityCenter as part of the monthly artist events. Jerry is showing his amazing shots inspired by this year’s World Cup featuring models in movement evoking the athletic poses from a soccer game. Jerry shoots for our sister Vegas and Las Vegas magazines, as well as national magazines. … Today is National Roller Coaster Day, and the Buffalo Bill’s roller coaster in Primm is free all day to locals.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

The party-laden MAGIC Men’s Fashion Week convention hits town with stars and designers, and there’s always a new designer line to celebrate with champagne! Plus, the premiere of the film Takers and more 2010 Miss Universe Pageant photo galleries.

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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