Las Vegas Weekly

July 28, 2010 · 2:41 PM

Photos: Chef Barry S. Dakake’s 9 most memorable N9NE Steakhouse moments

By Robin Leach

Chef Barry Dakake with President Obama.

Photo: The N9ne Group

From July 14 through Aug. 4, Robin Leach will be relaxing under the Tuscan sun on his annual vacation and keeping his eyes on what’s happening in Las Vegas from Italy. Meantime, a kindly crew of Las Vegas celebrities and VIPs has agreed to write guest columns for Vegas DeLuxe.

By Barry S. Dakake, guest columnist

In November, Barry S. Dakake, executive chef of N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms, celebrates nine years at one of Las Vegas’ hottest restaurants. With his fresh take on steak and his new approach to American favorites, the steakhouse generates a nightly scene of Sin City’s who’s who, as well as A-list celebrities and star athletes.

With the likes of New York Jets’ Dustin Keller, director and producer Michael Bay, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, UFC legend Chuck Liddell, retired MLB player and manager Pete Rose, Chicago Bears’ Jay Cutler, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and former President Bill Clinton having dined at N9NE, Barry has a few stories to tell and has compiled a list of his nine most memorable moments at N9NE.

1. Meeting and cooking dinner for former President Clinton: I received a phone call from George Maloof, president of the Palms, asking me if I was ready to cook for the Big Dog? I thought he was talking about himself in third person. He informed me that he was talking about President Clinton. When Clinton was in the restaurant, I struck a deal with his personal security team: If they would arrange for me to meet Clinton, I would introduce them to Vince Neil, who also was dining in the restaurant that night.

2. Having A-list celebrities walk through my kitchen door when Rain hosts concerts: Before the opening of The Pearl, Rain hosted all the concerts at the Palms, and the performers would have to walk through N9NE Steakhouse and sign my door. I had the likes of Lisa Marie Presley, The Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Kid Rock, Sammy Hagar and Santana all come through.

My favorite moment was when Presley was going to walk through and her camp instructed my staff and me to not speak or look at her. I am from Rhode Island, and no one tells me what I can and can’t do in my kitchen. So I looked her straight in the face and said, “What’s up, doll face?” She looked me square in the eyes, pointed at me and said, “I’ll be back to talk to you.” She came back and we chatted for a while.

3. Delivering dinner to President Obama: I was asked to prepare dinner for President and Michelle Obama. It was an honor to meet the president and shake his hand. He took a personal liking to N9NE Steakhouse’s red velvet cupcakes.

4. Witnessing boxing legend Muhammad Ali receive a standing ovation upon entering N9NE Steakhouse: Ali was in town for the premiere of Ali starring Will Smith. When he walked through the doors, the entire restaurant rose to their feet and clapped. It was quite the standing ovation.

5. Meeting Jay-Z: I was asked to cook for rapper Jay-Z at Phil Maloof’s penthouse inside Palms Place. I cooked for a group of 12 people, which included George and Gavin Maloof. The group was served steaks, pork chops, maple carrots, creamed corn and George’s chicken. Jay-Z signed a few plates for me and took photos. He started joking with me and asked if I worked for Steiner Sports because I asked him to sign everything, from a few champagne bottles and plates to shirts.

6. The Michael Phelps Weekend at the Palms: Olympic gold medalist Phelps and his manager decided we needed a boys weekend. I arranged an action-packed weekend and brought the boys into the steakhouse to indulge in some serious eating. We partied in the Palms suite, played poker and relaxed by the pool.

7. Becoming friends with Marvel comic legend Stan Lee: Lee is one of the funniest people I know. We just hit if off when he came in for dinner. I now visit him at his Burbank and Beverly Hills offices in California. On occasion, I will send him care packages that include his favorite food items like all-natural beef, sea salts, different kinds of olive oil and gourmet seasonings.

8. Hosting poker player Jennifer Harmon’s Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals charity dinner with football legend Joe Montana at N9NE Steakhouse.

9. Having former MLB pitcher and Hall of Fame inductee Bob Feller eat dinner in my kitchen: Feller told me he didn’t want to sit in the main dining room; he wanted to be where the action was. I set a table in the kitchen and served him a 12-course tasting menu. He stayed four hours talking with the kitchen staff and me telling us stories about Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio.

Peepshow star Cheaza and hairstylist to the stars Michael Boychuck are tomorrow’s guest columnists.

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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