Luxe Life Blog
Strip Scribbles: Star chef Todd English to open English Pub at CityCenter
Star chef Todd English.
Photo: MGM Mirage
Hard on the heels of our exclusive here two weeks ago that famed French chef Pierre Gagnaire would open his first American four-star restaurant at the new MGM CityCenter, I’ve learned of another.
Star chef Todd English, who has Olives at the Bellagio among his collection of 21 coast-to-coast eateries, is entering the Crystal’s shopping arcade there in December. In an unexpected departure from his gourmet creations, Todd will open a pub called the English Pub. He will offer more than 20 premium beers with comfort foods, including his spins on such English delicacies as shepherd’s pie, toad in the hole, bubble and squeak.
Christian Audigier.
Aubrey O'Day shows off her ... new Playboy necklace.
Wicked whispers & racy rumors
Are two side-by-side hotels owned by rivals up for sale with $800 million price tags swinging from them? … Has one Strip celebrity quietly closed his merchandising store because of the slowing economy? … Are a rock star and a celebrity chef teaming up to bring a well-known eatery to the Strip to replace a one-time star favorite’s restaurant that’s undergone numerous menu changes trying to find success -- or will a Strip headliner win with his unique concept? … We broke the news two weeks ago with a blind item here in Whispers, but now it’s being openly reported that Social House at Treasure Island will move to a new location, and that means, as we tipped, that Christian Audigier’s nightclub also is moving out as new T.I. owner Phil Ruffin brings in Gilley’s Bar. … Local TV personality Alicia Jacobs confirmed our long-ago story that Dancing With the Stars Season 8 winner Brooke Burke had auditioned for the Kelly Monaco-Holly Madison role in Peepshow but added that actress Elizabeth Berkley also had been considered. Alicia also said that Aubrey O’Day of Danity Kane fame was considered for Mel B’s role, which has now gone to Shoshana Bean.
*In my story about Terry Fator’s birthday surprise, I omitted giving credit to his writer Rick Kerns, who came up with the “just say no” comedy gag that totally surprised The Mirage headliner when the audience rebelled during his ventriloquist impersonation act. My bad, Rick, and I hope this rectifies my original omission!
Cristiano Ronaldo and a well-dressed friend at XS.
Annie Duke.
Star surveillance
With the 2009 CineVegas Film Festival headquartered at the Palms where soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo was staying, I’ve pretty much been camped out there the past few days, and everywhere you turned there were stars. Cristiano treated 10 to dinner in a private dining room at N9NE Steakhouse. Just what does a $134 million soccer player eat for dinner? Caesars salad and calamari to start, followed by bone-in filet steak, asparagus, lobster mashed potatoes and creamed corn. Who else would give you this much info? … Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who was staying in the Fantasy Tower, took a cabana at the Palms’ Ditch Fridays pool party with six friends and feasted on a Maine lobster roll with Fiji water while his guests ordered beers. … In an adjoining cabana was New York Jets quarterback Mark Travis enjoying sliders and a chicken Caesar wrap while sipping on Ketel One mixed drinks. … Next door was Chino Moreno, guitarist and lead singer of Deftones and Team Sleep partying with four friends and ordering a turkey club sandwich with fries. … Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice heroine Annie Duke and her significant other enjoyed a special spaghetti prepared by chef Geno Bernardo at Nove Italiano, and afterward he personally served them creamy cannoli. Also there were former MLB player and manager Pete Rose with eight friends for dinner of chicken parmesan on the terrace. … At Rain for DJ AM’s performance on the wheels of steel, we spotted Sam Rockwell, Erika Christensen and Scott Caan, all in town for CineVegas. … And Access Hollywood’s beautiful Maria Menounos enjoyed pajama brunch at Simon in Palms Place, ordering French toast and sushi.
Asher Roth performs live at Pure.
Tonight’s tip
Discovered on MySpace, Asher Roth has blazed up the charts with his hit “I Love College,” and he performs it at Prive in Planet Hollywood.
Criss Angel opens his store in Circus Circus.
Tomorrow’s teases
Mindfreak star Criss Angel unveils not one but three mind-blowing motorcycles to add to his high-speed collection. … Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte heads to Moscow for his space flight training after leading a massive turnout of his performers in a bid to recapture the stilt-walking Guinness Book of World Record. … Plus the final day of CineVegas #11 with our James Caan and Jon Voight interviews and wrap-up photo gallery.
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 HERE.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.
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