Collumnist Muriel Stevens: Mint juleps are focus of Bellagio competition

Friday, Oct. 20, 2000 | 10:27 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at muriel@ lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

Mint juleps in the morning. Not my usual way to start the day, but when Bellagio Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim asked me to be a judge for a julep competition, my mama's Southern roots came to the fore and convinced me to agree.

The tasting took place in the inviting Fontana Bar. One side of the room was devoted to a buffet brunch. This was not the usual brunch fare. Instead it was a tribute to Southern cooking: fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, barbecued ribs, slabs of cornbread, peppery slaw and terrific pecan pie. Properly fortified, my fellow judges, Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Dave Scherich, Brown-Forman's Wayne Putlak and I turned our attention to the juleps.

The juleps we tasted were creative spin-offs of the traditional recipe. All included Woodford Reserve Bourbon (the company provided the bourbon and the prizes) and fresh mint. Creative or not, you can't have a mint-julep contest without fresh mint.

I'd forgotten how refreshing a mint julep in a frosted glass can be. One sip and I was transported back to my aunt Sara's spacious porch in Petersburg, Va. The way Aunt Sara made her mint juleps assured that all of her house guests would get a good night's sleep.

I kept that memory in mind during the tasting. It's not easy doing tastings like these. You've got to sip, taste and compare the creations of professional bartenders, who know how to magically combine just the right ingredients to get a new julep while preserving the basic flavor of the traditional.

There were nine finalists: Denise Cacciapaglia, Delos Benedict, Doug Dawes, Diane Silvey, Robert Erhart, Mark Ornstein, Bridget Albert, Joe Negrille and Darren West. Two were unable to attend, so we only had to taste seven juleps.

When the final sip was taken we unanimously agreed; Erhart's Kentucky Mint Cooler took first place. Here's what it included: bourbon, green creme de menthe, fresh mint (muddled and as garnish), fresh lemon juice, rock candy syrup and a splash of ginger ale. The mint garnish was lightly dusted with powdered sugar. This winning julep was eye-catching and delicious.

Close behind Erhart were West and Negrille.

The Kentucky Mint Cooler will soon be featured at the Starting Gate bar in the sports book. It will be available at all the Bellagio bars in November when the Breeder's Cup takes place.

Odyssey: First there were none and now there are many -- food events, that is. First comes Odyssey, Thursday through Oct. 29. This ambitious gastronomic journey will take place at Elements at the Aladdin, Aureole and the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, Picasso at Bellagio, Spago and Andre's at the Monte Carlo and more. Prix-fixe dinners will be offered at a number of fine restaurants. There are cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and seminars and a "Master's Dinner" with a rare wine auction.

Among the chefs doing cooking demonstrations are Julian Serrano, Arnauld Briand and Richard Hamilton.

To learn more about the various dinners, seminars, cooking demos and how to get tickets, go to the Odyssey website -- lasvegasodyssey.com. Prices for events range from $75-$350.

Italian food and wine tasting: Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Through the Millennia, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Valentino at the Venetian, is a tribute to the food and wines of the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The area is also known for its designer furniture, kitchen cabinets and hand-crafted knives. Some of these artisan products will be on display. The event is sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and the Regional Italian Government of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

The first day is limited to the trade and the media; the second day is open to the public noon-5 p.m. Tickets to the public tasting ($25, must be 21 or older) are available at Valentino restaurant the day of the event. Come early. Seating is limited.

Included are samples of Friulian wines, cheese, proscuitto, coffees and grappas. On both days a personal food-and-wine tasting seminar (3-4 p.m.), with world-renowned food-and-wine journalist and author Luigi Veronelli, is included. The event is also a fund-raiser for the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. All ticket proceeds from the tasting, private charity dinner and Southeby's auction of eight art pieces will be donated to the fund.

Monday through Oct. 28 five Italian restaurants in Las Vegas and Los Angeles will offer their diners free tastes of the region's food and wines. Valentino at the Venetian and Osteria del Circo at Bellagio are the local restaurants.

Short orders

Lunch at Rosemary's: Rosemary's Restaurant, 8125 W. Sahara Ave., is once again serving lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner service nightly, 5:30-10:30 p.m.

Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland & Cafe at Regent: Venerable Swiss chocolatier, Teuscher, has opened a chocolate shop and cafe at the Regent Las Vegas. The irresistible chocolates are flown in regularly from Zurich. Teuscher is in the Palms Promenade. Such temptations.