Friday, July 6, 2001 | 8:50 a.m.
Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesdays. Reach her at 259-4080 or [email protected].
Finally, I dined at Bohemias restaurant on a weekend when the Flamenco dancers performed. I've been going to this "Bohemian taste of Latin America" since its opening. I like the Spanish appetizers known as tapas and have just about eaten my way through the entire list. Tapas at Bohemias ($5.95-$10.95) are larger than usual. Two or more could be a meal if you're sharing, as I usually do.
Among my favorites -- sauteed shrimp with garlic and shallots in a mild wine sauce (dunk the yeasty homemade rolls in the sauce); tortilla Espanola, two thick slices of crustless potato pie layered with onions and hard-cooked eggs, similar to an Italian frittata; creamy ceviche tropical, marinated bay scallops served in a martini glass; guacamole, prepared tableside with lime and lemon juice and shreds of cotija cheese; and quesadilla, a large cornmeal turnover, cut into quarters, filled with queso fresco and Spanish sausage.
A tapas platter for two or more ($12.95 per person) includes an assortment of Spanish cheeses, Serrano ham, roasted peppers, Spanish sausage, empanadas and fried calamari.
So far, I've never gotten to the entrees, not even the always available paella Valenciana -- a bed of saffron rice with clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, langostino, chorizo, chicken and pork, $19.95 for one; $37.95 for two. Also high on my list of dishes are the enchiladas del mar filled with crab, shrimp and salmon ($16.95) and the gaucho steak, a New York strip marinated in chimichurri sauce then char-broiled.
At 8 p.m. the dancers and guitarist appeared. We delayed dessert until after. The music was lovely, the dancers lively and as one of my dining friends said, "This was really fun."
For the third time I ordered for dessert the dulce de leche mousse, a tall glass filled with caramelized bananas topped with delectable dulce de leche mousse. The first time it I ordered it, it was sensational, the second was so-so.
There was a new chef and he had not yet perfected his own version. The manager insisted we give it another chance and we did, waiting patiently while it was prepared. It was better, but not memorable. This time it was terrific.
There are many desserts ($4.95-$5.95), but I'm crazy about the dulce de leche.
Bohemias is at 2550 Rainbow Blvd., at Sahara Ave. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Reservations are suggested for Friday and Saturday nights. Call 253-6274.
Caesars celebrates Osborne: The Palace Court restaurant at Caesars Palace is but a fond memory, but pianist David Osborne, who performed so beautifully in the lounge, is still an important part of Caesars, performing regularly at the new Cafe Lago.
In celebration of the release of Osborne's latest CD (his 16th album), "David Osborne Plays the Music of Elton John," Caesars hosted a cocktail party at Cafe Lago. On hand to greet guests (mostly media) were Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations George Markantonis, Vice President of Food and Beverage Greg Waldron, Assistant Vice President of Food and Beverage Sujoy Brahma and Cafe Lago Chef Jeff Walter. It was good to see former Caesar Public Relations chief Debbie Munch and her husband, Brian. Debbie has moved up to new post as the executive director of corporate communications for Park Place Entertainment.
Guests enjoyed an appealing selection of appetizers from the Cafe Lago menu. Among the offerings, wonderful mini-ginger crab cakes, grilled breast of chicken on focaccia bread, mozzarella and tomato salad with lemon-marinated olives and pesto, slices of New York steak on blue cheese toast, petite Asian tacos filled with shoyu (soy sauce) chicken and crunchy vegetables and shrimp wonton with ginger pesto. Freshly made Caesar salad topped with crisp focaccia bread croutons was the delicious offering at an action station.
Everyone munched and mingled until David was ready to perform on the Frank Sinatra Steinway grand piano. Each guest received a copy of the new CD. When I departed David was personalizing each CD (he has the neatest way of signing his name on the face of the CD).
Osborne performs at Cafe Lago Wednesday through Sunday; Cafe Lago performs 24/7.
Short orders
Summer hours at Olio!: Olio! at MGM's Studio Walk has new summer hours. Restaurant hours are: Sunday through Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Gelato "off the wall" hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Be prepared for a brief wait at this super gelato station. The lines snaked up to the restaurant entrance this past week.
"Iron Chef" American-style: Never did get in to see the pilot for the new Iron Chef series being taped last Wednesday and Thursday at the MGM Grand arena. A long line outside and a knee that doesn't like standing in one place dictated that I should leave. By Thursday's taping all the kinks had been worked out and, according to friends who attended, it was an exciting event. Who did they like best? That durable darling of "Star Trek" fame William Shatner. Iron Chef Todd English (Olives) competed against Kerry Simon (Prime). Who won? I'll never tell. To find out, watch the show when it debuts in the fall.
Last call for F&B tix: The Food & Beverage Directors Association will honor Stuart Mann, dean of UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration with its coveted Autrui award, July 13 at the 10th Annual Awards Evening at the Stardust. Also being honored is award-winning American chef Charlie Palmer. Palmer is the founder of Aureole New York and two wonderful restaurants in Las Vegas; Charlie Palmer Steak at the Four Seasons and Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Tickets for the black-tie event ($195) are available through the F&B association; call 388-2618. Monies raised support the association's scholarship programs. Recipients will attend the awards dinner.
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