Columnist Muriel Stevens: Mann is the man at UNLV luncheon

Friday, Aug. 21, 1998 | 10:06 a.m.

A reception and luncheon in honor of Dr. Stuart E. Mann, the new dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV, was well attended by members of our hospitality community.

Mann was formerly the director of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Recreation Management at Penn State and has held other positions there as well. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new position.

This was the first time I'd attended a function at the hotel college in a long time. The parking situation is still dreadful, but the effort and time it took to find a parking space (25 minutes) was worth it. Mann is friendly and approachable, and during the reception I had the opportunity to visit with hotel school faculty members I hadn't seen in ages.

Among the faculty staff on hand to welcome the dean were Dr. John Stefanelli, who chairs the Food and Beverage Management Department, Dr. Donald Bell, Dr. Robert Bosselman, Dr. Leslie Cummings, Al Izzolo, Dr. Gail Simmons, Dr. Audrey C. McCool, and chefs Jean Hertzman, Claude Lambertz and Valentino Luciani.

As always, the students behaved like professionals. They passed drinks, seated guests and cooked and served the delicious three-course lunch: a well-seasoned chicken rice soup, an eye-appealing Oriental salad that included slices of beef tenderloin and roasted duck breast, and a different kind of creme brulee served in a cookie cup.

Among the many guests were Provost Douglas Ferraro, Dean Jack Jenks, Gamal Azziz (Bellagio), John Lipkowitz (Rio), Eric Berman (Cheesecake Factory), Ken Frederickson (Spago), Terry Fong (Gatsby's-MGM), Van Heffner (Nevada Restaurant Association), Sean Roe and Scott Farber (Emeril's), Eric Steinboch (Treasure Island), Kurt Weinrick and John Carlson (Boyd Group), Tola Chin (Chin's), Sujoy Brahma (Harrah's), Mark DiMartino (Tillerman), Bob Henderson (J&J Seafood), Bill Hiers (Tropicana) and Dennis Khanh (Mandalay Bay).

My sincerest thanks to student greeters Judy Feliz, Shakira-Taylor Green and especially Lynn Pangallo, who assisted me in finding a parking space where none existed. With such creativity they'll go far in the business world.

Outside of the ongoing parking drama, the growth at UNLV is quite exciting with new buildings going up wherever you look. Maybe one day one of the new buildings will belong to the hotel college. They've outgrown the building they're in and are in need of more kitchen, dining room and classroom space.

Dr. Mann, the challenge is yours.

Chefs headin' to LV

This is an exciting time to be a food writer in Las Vegas. Each day brings more news of famous chefs bringing their restaurants here. Most will be inside new hotels, but just recently I was told by a reliable source that it won't be too far in the future when freestanding celebrity restaurants will start appearing in other parts of town. I got the feeling his company was already scouting locations.

Meanwhile, over at Mandalay Bay, the word is that they will open as planned in March '99 with two of New York's outstanding restaurants, Charley Palmer's Aureole and the trendy China Grill. Both are said to be ready to sign on the dotted line, and there's more to come.

It's more than a rumor that Wolfgang Puck, with chef/partner David Robins and managing partner Tom Kaplan, are creating a new concept for Mandalay Bay. The theme will be Tuscan and you can bet it will be authentic and wonderful.

David is leaving shortly to join Wolf in Austria to participate in a food event. Is a little side trip to Tuscany part of their plans? I wouldn't be surprised.

And, could the owners of the Border Grill in Los Angeles -- Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, who are also the stars of the sizzling "Too Hot Tamales" show on the Food Network -- planning to debut a Border Grill at Mandalay Bay? The word is si si.

Short orders

*Z'Tejas celebrates 5th year

Congratulations to Z'Tejas Grill on Paradise Road, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in Las Vegas. Featured are the foods of the Southwest, plus a bit of Louisiana. It's a combination local folks have responded to. General Manager Ralph Navarino says that the party they hosted in honor of the anniversary was a way to thank customers for their continued support. "The restaurant industry can be very tough in Las Vegas -- especially for a non-casino property like ours," he said. "We know there are a lot of choices in the area so we really want to make sure our customers know how much we appreciate their business." Z'Tejas is open daily from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For reservations, call 732-1660.

*T.G.I.Fridays Chop House

T.G.I. Friday's is now offering "Friday's Chop House Classics." Included on the menu are a classic bacon-wrapped filet, pan-seared yellow fin tuna, pan-seared chicken breasts topped with caramelized onions and grilled pork chops. All of the specials include roasted vegetables, au gratin potatoes and a choice of soup or salad. The Chop House special dessert is a traditional apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream and hot caramel sauce.

*Buffet changes

Monte Carlo has made some changes in its buffet prices: Breakfast, 7-11 a.m. -- $6.49; lunch, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. -- $6.99; dinner, 4-10 p.m. -- $9.49; Champagne Brunch Sundays and holidays, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. -- $10.95; children under 10 -- $5.99. Tax is not included in these prices.