Columnist Muriel Stevens: LV Philharmonic enjoys note-perfect event

Friday, June 1, 2001 | 8:43 a.m.

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

It takes many elements to create an outstanding fund-raiser. Everything was in place for the recent black-tie event on behalf of the Las Vegas Philharmonic: the perfect place -- the elegant Italianate villa and gardens of Susan and Andrew Tompkins, co-founders of the Philharmonic and longtime patrons of the arts; an exciting program and honored guest -- the showing of the 2001 Fall Collection of Oscar de la Renta with de la Renta present (it was the first time he personally presented his collection); a generous co-sponsor, Neiman Marcus with the support of NM's General Manager Terri Mansour; and a superstar chef, Julian Serrano of Picasso at Bellagio, to create a Spanish dinner with his grandmother's paella recipe as the entree.

Guests were greeted as they entered the house by the Tompkinses and de la Renta. Savory hors d'oeuvres prepared by Mary Bergin (former Spago pastry chef) were a promise of the pleasures to come when she opens her cafe and bakery later this year.

The garden scene was picture perfect. Centered in front of the swimming pool, where the fashions would be shown, were two tables long enough to accommodate 140 guests. Dressed with fine linens, china and silver and adorned with flowers and a row of tall cylinder candles, it was an enchanting sight. The same candles, hundreds of them, ringed the pool, casting a golden glow.

At the far end of the gardens, under a group of trees, Serrano and his team had set up a huge grill, large enough to accommodate a number of oversized paella pans. Later four of the pans would be signed by the chef and de la Renta and would be part of a drawing.

I watched as the master chef stirred, tasted and seasoned, stopping only when he was satisfied that the saffron-flavored base was up to his standards. It was certainly up to mine.

Just as the sun set, dinner was announced. We were ready. On the table were double-martini glasses filled with Andalusian-style gazpacho. The zesty mix included a dice of creamy avocado and tiny golden and red tear-drop tomatoes.

Serrano's assistant, Pedro, and his crew of servers expertly served both tables without missing a beat. On each plate, artfully arranged, was a bed of the fragrant saffron rice, atop it a lobster tail, on the side a tender clam and under the rice, a piece of boneless chicken.

The Spanish wines served throughout dinner were from Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, and Senior Director Larry Ruvo and his wife, Camille.

Dessert was a dense, divine flan dripping with caramel sauce and topped with a plump strawberry. This traditional Spanish dessert reached new heights with Serrano's fine touch.

Adding to the supreme pleasure of the evening was the music of the Philharmonic. Now approaching its third season, the public has opened its heart to this extraordinary philharmonic under the musical direction of co-founder Harold Weller. Weller is a seasoned maestro with the passion and drive needed for such a demanding position.

Dinner over, we gathered at the pool for the fashion show, where the models walked on water; a smashing illusion made possible by a taut 48-foot platform, so well engineered that it was almost motionless. Sleek and chic, the mannequins were gorgeous in de la Renta's exquisite designs.

Oscar de la Renta's Fall Collection brought down the house. Stunning, wearable, timeless designs. As Terri Mansour said, "Oscar de la Renta designs for women. He knows how they want to dress and he designs with that in mind." How right she was. At the end of the show he received a spontaneous standing ovation.

At his side was his longtime associate, who orchestrated the event, Monica Meade.

A splendid evening for our splendid philharmonic.