Las Vegas Weekly

March 26, 2010 · 3:56 PM

Strip Scribbles: Rio star chef Steve Martorano opens Florida eatery

By Robin Leach

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

Photo: Primetime PR

Our favorite Italian chef and DJ Steve Martorano of The Rio opened his new Italian-American Kitchen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., last night. Steve celebrated with grand gala festivities that included a parade by the Philadelphia Mummers Polish American String Band, cabaret dancers, models frozen in giant ice blocks and cooking demonstrations. He was joined in the kitchen to prepare his famous meatballs by Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino, Dan Marino, Jason Taylor, Kelly Bensimon and Frank Vincent.

Steve’s Italian-American Kitchen once again marries music, movies and magnifico meals in the 7,400-square-foot restaurant that seats 300. It features white Italian marble bar tops, a mozzarella bar complete with an antique Italian prosciutto slicer and nostalgic artwork and photos of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Mario Lanza intermingled with Steve’s own family and celebrity photos. We’ll have photos and video from the opening here at Vegas DeLuxe on Monday.

*All eyes in Hollywood today were focused on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see our former CineVegas Film Festival Chairman and actor friend Dennis Hopper, ailing and frail from prostrate cancer, attend the unveiling of his star.

*Las Vegas Safari’s exotic animal adventure park at Cloud 9 balloon park opposite Mandalay Bay was pushed back but is finally on the calendar for today’s opening. The Exotic Animal Encounter will be home to several baby animals including zebras, giraffes and a young rhino.

*Congratulations to producer Adam Steck on his 40th birthday celebration tomorrow, and expect the casts of his Strip shows to join him for the fun. He’s the mastermind behind Human Nature, Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas, Louie Anderson, American Storm and Thunder From Down Under.

*I’m taking a tour of the new Garden of the Gods pool area at Caesars Palace today with its 18-foot waterfall and swim-up blackjack tables. There are eight pools on three levels, and we’ll have a photo gallery here at Vegas DeLuxe next week. The topless Venus Pool Club operated by Pure Management Group opens next Thursday.

*President Obama’s Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra toured the Las Vegas PBS Educational Technology Campus yesterday. Las Vegas PBS General Manager Tom Axtell gave Aneesh the tour for a firsthand look at how public TV uses the full range of broadcasting for education, emergency response and other community services.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Hollywood newcomers Victoria Profeta, Mike Starr and Gregory Fawcett of the new film Ca$h, walked the red carpet at Brenden Theaters in the Palms last night for its premiere, and Glenn Pinkerton of Las Vegas News Bureau was on duty for the photos, while VDLX videographer Richard Corey posted his video to YouTube. … Original Saturday Night Live cast member Garrett Morris was a surprise guest at George Wallace’s comedy show at the Flamingo and, to the delight of the audience, jumped onstage for a standup routine.

*I thought for a moment I was back filming a Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous segment! If you speak fashion, you speak Italian. To celebrate more than 40 Italian designers displaying dresses, shoes and handbags at Outfit, Elaine Wynn hosted a reception last night for Dr. Aniuello Musella, the Italian trade commissioner to the U.S., and Valerie Salembier, publisher of Harpers Bazaar. Elaine’s retail store was selected by the magazine as an “Italian Style Leader” for its selection of luxury Italian merchandise.

One $14,000 dress was purchased. A model in a $12,000 dress showed off an $18,000 pair of jeans embroidered with diamonds and an emerald button at the belt. I didn’t dare ask the price of a gold mirrored jacket designed for Lady Gaga. But the highlight was the Las Vegas fashionistas and socialites who dressed to the nine’s for the party. One 14-year-old girl accompanied by her parents brought her 4-year-old Chihuahua Amber wearing her own diamond-studded choker and sunglasses. If we didn’t have these photos, you wouldn’t believe me -- but see for yourself! Champagne wishes and caviar dreams are still going strong even in this economic downturn!

Now it’s time to revel in all the other opulent luxuries of Las Vegas this high-priced, high-flying weekend of bejeweled attractions offers in a sparkling package we affectionately refer to around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, MARCH 26

*The smooth-as-silk stylings from singer Lionel Richie will thrill at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace for two nights, so you know there will be “Dancing on the Ceiling” and “Endless Love.” Just go!

*Masterful Barry Manilow performs for three nights at the Paris making musical magic and bringing the greatest love songs of all time to life in a spectacular show.

*Country’s king of music, song and storytelling Garth Brooks is back at Encore Theater in the Wynn for another three nights of shows as part of his five-year mega contract.

*David Copperfield continues his incredible illusions at MGM’s Hollywood Theater through the end of the month.

*For savvy sarcasm and wicked wit, nobody comes close to David Spade, who holds down The Wayne Brady Theater at The Venetian for two nights, while guest comic Daniel Tosh is at Terry Fator Theater in The Mirage for two nights of late shows, and Sinbad has the last laugh at Treasure Island.

*Dee Snider joins Lita Ford for two nights of his I Wanna Rock Live at the Las Vegas Hilton with Mark Slaughter of Slaughter and Jeff Keith of Tesla. … Bad Religion skips church in favor of House of Blues in Mandalay Bay for two nights. ... Ratt founder, frontman and songwriter Stephen Pearcy is solo at Club Madrid in Sunset Station.

*The Lettermen are at South Point harmonizing those melodies and medleys of yesteryear.

*Fly like an eagle south on I-15 because tickets go on sale for The Steve Miller Band, who are at The M Resort on May 21.

PARTY PATROL

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the ballroom bad body hunk of Dancing With the Stars, takes a break from Season 10 practice with ESPN host partner Erin Andrews to play host and dance up a storm at Tabu Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand. … Actor Ian Ziering joins Michael Politz to celebrate their same-day birthdays, with the first party tonight at LAX in the Luxor and the second at Pure in Caesars Palace tomorrow. … Ray J will thrill the party people when he hosts and performs at Jet in The Mirage. … Singer-songwriter Jay Sean celebrates his 27th birthday and performs his hits “Down” and “Do You Remember” at Eve in Crystals. … Nappy Roots launch their CD Pursuit of Nappyness with a party at Prive in Planet Hollywood, with the first 100 guests receiving a free copy of the album.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27

*Will he confirm that his wife Beyonce is pregnant with their first baby? The head of Roc-A-Fella Records puts any doubt to rest about his superstar status when he goes to work as hip-hop artist Jay-Z in a one-night-only concert at The Pearl in the Palms. His guests are Young Jeezy and Trey Songz, and the after-party is at Tao in The Venetian.

*Michel Legrand celebrates his 50th anniversary at MGM Grand Garden Arena, with Jon Voight and Jennifer O’Neill hosting. We posted a story and exclusive photo gallery by Tom Donoghue this morning.

*We also reported today on Vegas DeLuxe that John Mayer performs at Mandalay Bay Events Center with Michael Franti & Spearhead.

*Reality TV star and Poison frontman Bret Michaels appears solo in his Roses and Thorns Tour at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, and you never can predict just how outrageous one of the wildest men in rock and roll will be!

*The daylong Extreme Thing Sports and Music Festival is a blockbuster at Desert Breeze Skate Park. BMX rider Ricardo Laguna hosts the dirt jump challenge during the band performances. Five Finger Death Punch is one of 26 bands performing on four stages. … The Monster Jam World Finals are at Sam Boyd Stadium, so rev those engines.

*Sounds as if The M Resort is changing its name for at least one night to Hotel California when Don Felder stars for one night.

*The Flying Karamazov Brothers leap, jump, fall and fly for two nights at The Orleans; Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy Osmond are at the Suncoast celebrating more than 50 years in entertainment; and Glenn Williams pays tribute to Frankie Laine in Las Vegas Rocks Cafe’s Embassy Theater.

*Two world titles are at stake in Boxing After Dark when Victor Cayo battles Marcos Maidana and Ali Funeka fights Joan Guzman in the Golden Boy fight at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel.

*Tickets go on sale for teen pop heartthrob Justin Bieber’s July 24 show at the Theater for Performing Arts in Planet Hollywood. Tickets also go on sale for Dropkick Murphys, who are at The Joint on Aug. 6.

*Please support the Best Buddies Nevada Friendship Walk created in honor of Rosemary Kennedy, the aunt of Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver. The fundraiser kicks off at The District in Green Valley Ranch at 10 a.m. Go to BestBuddiesNevada.org for more information.

PARTY PATROL

It’s a day at the beach for Playboy pinup Kendra Wilkinson, who hosts at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic with husband Hank Baskett of the Indianapolis Colts. ... Rocker Dave Navarro plays guitar with DJ Skribble at Studio 54 in MGM Grand for the new weekly Freak Show party that has run past 8 a.m. … The Rock and Roll Wine Concert features Crash Kings, Imagine Dragons and Jet at the Garden of the Gods at Caesars Palace. … Grammy-nominated Trey Songz follows his Jay-Z opening-act duties hosting and performing at Eve. … Adult actress Stormy Daniels returns to Las Vegas from her Senate run in Louisiana to celebrate her birthday at Prive. It’s also the official Las Vegas movie release party for Clash of the Titans with tickets and promotional items being given away for the film that stars Avatar hunk Sam Worthington.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

*Kendra Wilkinson teachers her Stripper 101 course in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile V Theater. Don’t be surprised if cameras are rolling for her E! series Kendra.

*Comedy-magician Mac King debuts his book Mac King’s Campfire Magic with a meet-and-greet and reading at Barnes & Noble on north Rainbow. The book, aka 50 Amazing, Easy-to-Learn Tricks and Mind-Blowing Stunts Using Cards, String, Pencils and Other Stuff From Your Knapsack, has 250 illustrations by Bill King and a foreword by Penn & Teller.

*The 13-minute director’s cut of Super Undead Doctor Roach will be screened at Xanadu, a science fiction, fantasy, horror, fetish and bondage convention for adults only. Chad Clinton Freeman of Killer Biker Chicks fame edited, produced, wrote and directed the film starring scream queen Rachel Grubb, Derek Houck and Henry Clarke.

*Stuntman and tattoo salon owner Carey Hart presents CKY at his Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel.

MONDAY’S TEASES

We’ll unveil the secrets of Criss Angel’s new season of Mindfreak on A&E as he adds extraordinary illusions to his Cirque du Soleil show Believe at the Luxor. Get ready to get up close to burlesque artist and fashion icon Dita Von Teese as she starts rehearsals for her new run at MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris. Plus, I can let you know now that actor John Stamos and The Beach Boys perform on the Dancing With the Stars elimination show Tuesday, and Michael Jackson’s choreographer will honor Haiti earthquake victims with a routine. We’ll preview Monday’s show of foxtrot and jives with front-runners Nicole Scherzinger, Evan Lysacek and Pamela Anderson and the bottom trio of Buzz Aldrin, Aiden Turner and Kate Gosselin, who face the first axing.

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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