Friday, June 2, 2000 | 9:03 a.m.
Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at [email protected] or 259-4080.
Everyone should have a friend like Rino Armeni, executive marketing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. His generous spirit and kind heart are known to all of his many friends who turned out by the hundreds when Rino was honored recently by the Nevada Association for the Handicapped. It is one of dozens of charities supported by Rino and his gracious wife, Marie Claire.
The event took place at Paris in the Paris Ballroom, an elegant, Old World room ideal for such a grand gathering. Lucy and Paul Pusateri (president of Paris) chaired the posh event; Sandy and Roger Peltyn were the coordinators.
Rino is an exuberant Italian with a winning smile. More Renaissance man than marketing director, he has been actively involved in our community since his arrival in 1989.
The evening, dubbed Starry, Starry Night, was a fun-filled one with delicious food prepared by the Paris culinary staff, and wines personally selected by Michael Severino of SW&S. The wines were contributed by Camille and Larry Ruvo.
A cocktail reception took place in the spacious ballroom foyer. Quite wonderful were: trays of passed hors d'oeuvres; Black Angus steak tartar-filled pumpernickel eclairs; pastrami smoked salmon -- salmon cured with pastrami spices and seasonings -- perched on slices of French baguettes; French Brie with spicy walnuts nestled in a flaky crust; and tiny asparagus and Gruyere quiche.
Dinner included: scallop ceviche wrapped in smoked salmon, topped with caviar and champagne vinaigrette; Mesclun field greens with shredded Mackintosh apples, Roquefort cheese and candied walnut dressing; and a choice of entree -- tenderloin of beef with a Port wine sauce or pistachio-crusted Chilean seabass.
My choice, the seabass, was terrific. The delicate fish sat atop a mound of julienned vegetables. Lovely to look at and delicious. Dessert was splendid -- tiered spun sugar "steps" with zesty orange mousseline grapefruit-cocoa sorbet infused with mint.
Among the highlights of the fun-filled program was a video with a host of Rino's male friends toasting and roasting him.
Raising funds for a worthy cause, surrounded by friends, colleagues and daughters Paola and Laura, and enjoying a fine meal, Rino Armeni was in his element. The funds raised will assist NAH programs.
Food & Beverage Directors dinner: Tropicana Vice President of Food and Beverage Bill Hiers and his culinary staff created a fabulous hors d'oeuvres and cocktail reception for the ninth annual Food & Beverage Directors Association Awards Dinner at the Island Tower Convention Center.
The annual black tie event is a benefit for the F&BDA's scholarship fund. The association financially assists students aspiring to be managers in the food and beverage industry.
Former Mayor Jan Laverty Jones (now with Harrah's) was honored as "Woman of the Year" and received the coveted Auturi Award; acclaimed chef (one of only 54 certified master chefs in the country) Gustav Mauler received the Culinary Achievement award.
With a membership of food and beverage experts it's no surprise that these annual dinners are outstanding. The Tropicana's Scott Ringwood, who is the president/chairman of the Food & Beverage Directors Association, worked tirelessly with his committees to assure the success of the event.
The silent auction tables flowed into the reception area where lavish food displays offered an exceptional array of food and drink. A vodka-martini station was surrounded by a variety of caviars in a variety of colors. With the caviars were blinis, toast points and other traditional accompaniments.
There was a Southwest station with margarita bar, a sensational international cheese selection, a sushi and sake station and a lush array of smoked seafood and fresh salmon. All this before dinner.
The dining room was aglow with candlelight and tall centerpieces of red roses. It was a beautiful sight. A seafood plate with jumbo prawns, scallops, crab legs, lobster claws and cocktail sauce presented in a scooped-out lime could itself have been a meal. Following was Tropicana salad, an intermezzo of Cabernet sorbet in a mini pineapple fan and an entree of tenderloin of beef with sauce Bordelaise, lobster and salmon strudel with a Newburg sauce and a plentitude of fresh vegetables. There was more. A chocolate dessert fantasy and then an after-dinner "social" -- a station with cigars, cordials, brandy, coffees, chocolates, petits fours and chocolate-dipped strawberries. A smashing display.
Emceeing the event was Channel 3 news anchor Sue Manteris, who manages to stay slim in spite of having participated in these dinners for many years. When I departed the dance floor was still going strong. What a delicious bash!
Short orders
Winemaker dinner at Malibu Chan's: Malibu Chan's on West Sahara will host a winemaker dinner on Monday. Featured will be the wines from MacRostie Winery. Guest speaker will be grape grower Robert Rebuschatis. Chef Kevin Martinez has created a special four-course dinner to accompany the wines. The price, $80, includes a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. For reservations, call 312-4267.
Bones: The Rib Joint at Orleans: Chef Dan Drayer and Bones owner Nicholas Nickolas have created a winning menu at this new rib place at the Orleans. Well-priced starters, salads, sandwiches and oh, those bones -- pork and beef with a variety of sauces and rubs. Try the Bones family feasts. It's enough food for a small army. Look for Bones where Vito's used to be -- on the second level above the Mexican restaurant.
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