Counter Intelligence: Keller, Bacchanal Buffet, Pellegrino and Moonen
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 (3:28 p.m.)
Executive chef Scott Green talks with reporters during a media preview of Bacchanal Buffet under construction at Caesars Palace on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. Caesars hopes the $17 million, 25,000-square-foot buffet will set the new standard for Las Vegas buffets with more than 500 food items and seating for 600 guests.
Photo: Steve Marcus
Bacchanal Buffet Lunch Tour Video - from YouTube.com
Bacchanal Buffet Dinner Tour Video - from YouTube.com
Bacchanal Buffet chef Scott Green - from YouTube.com
Hot off the grill! Revered Venetian star chef Thomas Keller has finally agreed to do a TV series. He’s appeared sporadically on TV shows, but now inside word is that he will film a pilot in England. The proposed series will have Thomas and other chef pals visiting the great chefs and restaurants of Europe.
Tom’s partner in the project is one of his restaurant investors in Bouchon, Phil Rosenthal, who created Ray Romano’s long-running CBS hit “Everybody Loves Raymond,” among other shows. Tom will appear on several episodes, and that might lead him to his first series.
BACCHANAL OPENS STRONG: Buffet lovers and food fans raved at Tuesday’s daylong opening of the $17 million Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace featuring nine global live kitchens and more than 500 items for enjoyment. Our thanks to Christopher Rauschnot @24KMedia on Twitter for his YouTube videos of opening-day activities.
QUICK HITS
Tonight is the grand openings of Public House in the Luxor (not to be confused with Public House in the Venetian!) and the sports bar and lounge Ainsworth at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Chef Rick Moonen has introduced a 7 to 10 p.m. Happy Hour in his upstairs lounge at RM Seafood in Mandalay Bay.
Chef Carla Pellegrino of Bacio at the Tropicana, who this week supported the American Heart Association’s Flavors of the Heart fundraiser, continues her charity work Sept. 22 for the Las Vegas Food and Wine event at Red Rock Resort to benefit the James Beard Foundation.
The Jean Louis Palladin fundraiser for the James Beard Foundation is set for Sunday, Oct. 21, at Alize atop the Palms with 20 Las Vegas top chefs dueling in the kitchen to prepare the stunning six-course meal.
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.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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