Columnist Muriel Stevens: Great meal served up at Agassi benefit

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 8:17 a.m.

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

The setting for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation 2001 Grand Slam for Children at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was smashing. It's no easy thing to turn a sports arena into a fancy dining venue. Kudos to the banquet chefs for the tasty dinner and to the servers for the good service.

We dined on a micro-herb salad with red and yellow tomatoes and mozzarella and barbecued shrimp and a peppered chicken breast, Maine lobster, sweet pea risotto cake, baby squash and a Kenya bean bundle. Dessert was a delectable chocolate dome filled with cappuccino brulee, sitting on a praline crisp. The presentation was beautiful.

With coffee came petit fours and chocolates presented in a bowl of chocolate. Tiny tarts and other sweets surrounded the bowl.

Throughout the the silent auction and reception that preceded dinner there was hors d'oeuvre and beverage service.

The live auction brought in the big bucks, and provided many laughs from Andre's zany friend Robin Williams, who once again invited bidders to dine with him and his wife. He promised to behave during dinner. Williams ended up with two bidders and accommodated both of them. Can he sit still long enough for two dinners? Probably.

When Emeril Lagasse took to the stage to auction a dinner cooked by him at his New Orleans Emeril's, the bidding was wild. He, too, ended up doing two dinners. One in New Orleans and the other in Las Vegas, and he raised an astonishing amount of moolah for Andre's kids.

When it comes to fund-raising, this group has the Midas touch. Even in these difficult times, the amount raised was more than $4 million and surpassed the amount raised at the most recent Agassi benefit in 1999. A tribute to everyone involved.

The show that followed was a blast. Each performer was a noted headliner. Most fascinating were the rear-projection special effects; a rare display of theatrical technology at its best.

Evidence of Andre's efforts on behalf of children can be found in the many projects that bear his name. What a terrific role model he is.

A visit with Emeril: For the first time in a long time I was able to visit with peripatetic Chef Emeril Lagasse. In the days when he was spending more time in Las Vegas, we'd often visit. With the numero uno show on the Food Network, a fledging NBC television sitcom, a new cookbook and more public appearances than anyone can imagine doing, he has little time for anything else.

I found him in the kitchen at Emeril's. When he joined me in the dining room, where he was hosting a small reception before the silent auction, he was swamped by guests who were also fans. In between our conversation he graciously signed napkins, silent-auction programs and posed for photos with formally clad guests. Emeril was still in his whites.

Later, onstage during the live auction, Emeril was a dashing figure in his formal attire. He's slimmer, obviously happy and just as easy going and nice as he was when he was a young chef working at Commander's Palace in New Orleans.

I'm not a fan of most sitcoms, but I have watched "Emeril," and do enjoy it because it makes me laugh, a necessity these days. Similar to Emeril's signature banana cream pie, having a good chuckle is delicious.

Wedding in Transylvania at Lawry's: Murder served up at Halloween at Lawry's is a deadly affair. Here's the plot: You're invited to Frankie's (Frankenstein) wedding Oct. 31 for an interactive dinner show produced by Murder Cafe. The fiendish Frankie goes against his family's wishes when he plans to wed a mere mortal.

If he marries before his 30th birthday, Oct. 31, he'll get the millions left to him by his late grandfather. I can't reveal more, it's too horrible (not really). To participate in this family event (teens are welcome), reserve space at Lawry's The Prime Rib in the Hughes Center, 4043 Howard Hughes Parkway. Dinner and the show, all inclusive, is $65. Call 893-2223.

Short orders

Annual lobster bake at Rum Runner: At 2 p.m. Saturday Rum Runner's Tropicana and Spencer location will herald the return of its annual lobster bake. Featured special is live Maine lobster, corn on the cob, cole slaw and dessert. Tickets are $25. Five dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to the Red Cross Diaster Relief Fund. Tickets are available at any Rum Runner location.

"Dine out for America" fundraiser: The following restaurants are part of a nationwide coalition raising funds for the American Red Cross and its Liberty Disaster Relief Fund: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Outback steakhouse, Carabba's Italian Grill, Romano's Macaroni Grill, T.G.I.Friday's, Red Lobster, Pick Up Stix, Chili's Grill & Bar and Claim Jumper restaurants. More than 5,000 restaurants are committed to giving a percentage of their sales to the fund-raiser Thursday.

Lawry's helps, too: Lawry's employees, with the help of management, have come up with an inventive plan to raise funds for those affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy. The co-workers of Lawry's Las Vegas are donating their time and their talent, while Lawry's is underwriting the food and amenities. Bid on the various dinners: Thanksgiving Day dinner for six; Dickens dinner for six; Christmas Eve dinner for six; New Year's Eve dinner for six or a private dinner for 10 at your home. Bids for the silent-auction dinners may be made by telephone (893-2223), fax (731-6668), or at the restaurant. Call Nancy Marcellus for additional information.

More changes at Aladdin: Call ahead when planning to dine at the Aladdin. Breakfast has returned to the Spice Market Buffet Monday through Friday; lunch is offered Monday through Friday; dinner nightly from 4-9:30 p.m. Champagne brunch on weekends from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Most of the bars are open. The Towering Palms and Cafe and St. James restaurant and lounge will be closed.