Las Vegas Weekly

September 12, 2010 · 10:32 AM

Photos: Epicurean Affair at the Palazzo an outdoor culinary delight

By Don Chareunsy

Mathieu Chartron of Guy Savoy at Epicurean Affair at the Palazzo on Sept. 9, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

The 2010 Las Vegas Epicurean Affair at the Palazzo on Thursday evening couldn’t have been a more perfect rendezvous. The cuisine and cocktails were divine, the outdoor pool area unofficially attracted some 1,500 attendees but was never overwhelmingly crowded, and the weather cooperated after a blustery afternoon.

Thanks to contributing photographer Erik Kabik, who captured one of Las Vegas’ hottest gourmet events. Everyone from Bradley Ogden at his self-named restaurant to Luciano Pellegrini of Valentino (with a suckling pig!) to Brian Howard of Nu Sanctuary Lounge greeted the foodies at their poolside booths, while Rao’s executive chef Carla Pellegrini enjoyed champagne at Laguna Champagne Bar’s area, which became the perfect spot to watch Monday Night Football (the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints squeaked out a victory over the Minnesota Vikings) while enjoying bubbly.

The good-looking young chef at Guy Savoy was very popular with the ladies, the nearly topless, airbrush-painted models were very popular with the gents, and Hugo’s Cellar at Four Queens stepped it up a notch, handing out red roses to the fairer sex. Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach was spotted talking with Ogden, while food critic gurus John Curtas, our Greenspun Media Group colleague, and Al Mancini were spotted in the crowd -- their tome with Max Jacobson about Las Vegas’ best restaurants is scheduled for release in November.

Memorable culinary offerings included the Kobe meatball sliders at Lavo, the pork belly at CUT, the scallop-stuffed lychee(!) at Jasmine, the nitrogen-cold caramel popcorn and salmon tartare at Nu Sanctuary Lounge, the always-wonderful Miso cod at Nobu, the truffle bisque and the pot de creme with orange at Guy Savoy, the braised short ribs at Prime and the champagne cocktails at Laguna Beach Bar, one of which included personal favorite liqueur St-Germain.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Epicurean Affair at the Palazzo on Sept. 9, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

Epicurean Affair at the Palazzo on Sept. 9, 2010.

The Nevada Restaurant Association and the Palazzo served as the main sponsors, hosting the following nearly 80 restaurants and beverage vendors: A-ha Toro Tequila, Banzai Beverage Corp., Binions Ranch Steakhouse, Bollini Wines, Bradley Ogden, Canyon Ranch Grill, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, CUT, d.vino Italian Food & Wine Bar, Dos Caminos, Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar, Elements Kitchen & Martini Bar, First Food & Bar, Fosters America, Gilley’s BBQ, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Grand Lux Cafe, Granello Bakery, Grape Vegas, Hash House a Go Go, Hoegaarden, Hugo’s Cellar, II Mulino, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Jasmine, Karlsson’s Gold Vodka, Khotan Asian Bistro, Lagasse’s Stadium, Laguna Champagne Bar, Lavo, Leblon Cachaca, Leffe, Lolita’s Cantina & Tequila Bar, Louis Jadot, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Marche Bacchus, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Memphis Championship Barbecue, Michele Chiarlo, Moet Hennessey USA, Morel’s French Steakhouse & Bistro, Neros, Nobu Las Vegas, Nu Sanctuary Lounge, Palm Restaurant, Paymon’s Hookah Lounge, Poema, Postrio Bar & Grill, Prime Steakhouse, Remy Cointreau USA, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Ricardo’s, Rombauer Vineyards, Santos Spirits (Ambhar Tequila), Shangri-La Tea, Sierra Nevada, Silk Road Wine & Spirits, Skyy Vodka, Southern Wine & Spirits, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Stella Artois, Sushi Samba, Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse, Tao, The Cupcakery, Three Olives Vodka, Tyku Premium Asian Wine & Spirits, Valentino Las Vegas, Van Gogh Vodka, Wirtz Beverage Nevada and Zine Noodles.

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

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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

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