Columnist Muriel Stevens: Main Street Station reopens with flavor-filled preview

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

THE NEWLY OPENED Main Street Station is a beautiful addition to downtown. Two nights of festive previews delighted the media, local and state officials and Boyd management team members.

Main Street is colorful, brightly lit and welcoming. The marvelous antiques that were a hallmark of the original are everywhere, enhancing the decor.

Guests, both nights, got to sample the restaurants, play the table games for free dinners and to enjoy entertainment. The staff was more than ready for the crowds, greeting them with smiles and outstanding service.

Wandering through the hotel was like a walk down Main Street USA. There were so many familiar folks: Bonnie and former Mayor Oran Gragson, Kenny Guinn, Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, Willi Baer, Dee and Don Snyder, City Councilman Arnie Adamsen, Cathy Hanson, NLV Councilman John Rhodes, Martha and Judge Michael Douglas, Cleo and Harley Harmon, Sarah Ralston, Mel Lipman, Jayn and Art Marshall, Nancy and Jack Weinstein, Bea Levinson, Lynn and Tom Weisner and so many more. Of course, Bill Boyd, chairman and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming Corp., was there with his family.

The winning Garden Court Buffet was a good choice for dinner. Not only did it offer nine major "action" stations, plus much more, it gave diners a novel form of entertainment with their meal. At the height of the party in came three chef-costumed lads pushing utility carts filled with an assortment of cookware and household items. The trio, known as the "Shakin' and Bakin' Chefs," then made music (of sorts) using the cookware as instruments. Such energy, such drumming, such denting of good pots and pans, such rousing good fun! They'll appear regularly.

The trendy, upscale Triple 7 Brewpub was another popular spot. The chefs were kept busy filling orders for the contemporary foods and flavorful brews served there.

Following the advice of those who had already partaken of the signature bread pudding in the Pullman Grille Steakhouse, we headed there for dessert. The advice was right. Pullman Grille serves a memorable, light bread pudding.

Main Street Station's exterior is well-lit, there's plenty of parking, including a parking garage and valet service. Access is easy.

Almost completed is an elevated crossover between Main Street Station and another Boyd property, the California Club.

Main Street is just a short walk to the Fremont Street Experience and will participate in all the holiday activities planned by downtown, including the "Downtown Hoedown" on Dec. 5.

NICA contest

There's no limit to the events taking place during this very busy holiday season.

Wednesday afternoon, I joined Spago Pastry Chef Mary Bergin and Wendy Plaster at Macy's Home Store to judge the gingerbread entries in the Gingerbread Visions competition sponsored by the Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art.

This is the most aromatic of all contests -- and one of the most difficult to judge. Imagine, a dozen gingerbread entries, some constructed as if they were paintings. Then imagine the patience and time it took to note the minute differences that separated the winners. Scores were that close.

First prize went to the G.C. Wallace Co. of engineers and architects for their "A Grist Mill Holiday" -- a wondrous construction of mill and house that included a lifelike lamppost of licorice sticks and gumdrops. Second went to the gingerbread house constructed by Bonnie Ash ("Dulce Domum"). Looking through the candy windows on the second floor gave a view of the bedroom and the occupants. Tied for third were Susan Simmons ("Green Gables") and Marc Lemoine Architecture ("Victorian Church") with their grand gingerbread edifices.

Friday night at the store, NICA supporters gathered for a reception and auction of the gingerbread creations. Elaine Wynn and Marc Schorr, who were so successful as auctioneers last time, did it again. Again they were a fine team, raising record amounts for the gingerbread constructions.

Winning bidders were Brad Friedmutter, Patty and Richard Wright, Maureen Barrett, Clair McDonald, Jackie Smith, Barbara Greenspun and Joyce Mack. Greenspun and Mack donated their purchases to Child Haven; Barrett donated hers to Torrey Pines Nursing Home. Jack Mitchell bought the first-place "A Grist Mill Holiday" -- he's a vice president at the firm which created it.

Among those enjoying the family-oriented event were Bonnie and Sen. Richard Bryan, NICA's Arlene and Jerry Blut, NICA Gallery Director Mark Matsuoka, Liana and Mohamed Eftaiha, Cheryl and Alan Miller, Rita, Quirarte, Sandra and Marvin Snyder, Dr. Stephanie Youngblood, Maureen Youngblood, Jackie Smith, Diane Short, Lee Sido, Jusi Sewald, John Walley, Constancia Gafeney, Maureen Kane, Cosette Lavington, Janis Gaudy, Bobbi Boston, Ken Murphy, Joel Kazar, Debbie Levy and Kim Christostomo. Many brought their children.

Plans are already under way for next year's competition. For information about the contest or joining NICA, call 434-2666.

Thanksgiving

Mayflower Cuisinier's Thanksgiving menu arrived too late for inclusion in last Friday's column, but it's a good one.

The six-course menu ($47 per person) includes two appetizers -- roast duck sushi and ginger-basil escargot en croute; acorn squash soup; turkey roulade, vegetables, shiitake mushroom-sweet rice stuffing and cranberry chutney; salad; and a choice of pumpkin tart with Canton ginger liqueur sauce and Amoretto ice cream or apple tart with burnt caramel rum sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.

Reservations are suggested Call, 870-8432.

Have a happy holiday.