Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Spirit of the islands marks Ortanique opening

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001 | 8:29 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net.

Ortanique Las Vegas, inside Paris Las Vegas, enjoyed a high-spirited evening as guests were welcomed to the restaurant's opening party by "Jubilee" showgirls in glittering bikinis made of gold coins.

Lush arrangements of tropical flowers, coupled with the essence of Ortanique candles, set the mood for the new restaurant that features cuisine kissed by the sun and which takes its name from an exotic hybrid fruit, a blend of oranges and tangerines, found only in Jamaica. Guests were served Bacardi "O"-orange martinis and fruit-based cocktails from a carved ice bar, while delectable selections from the eatery's menu were passed by a parade of servers.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies included Mark Fries, of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, who made a formal welcome to restaurant co-creators Cindy Hutson and Delius Shirley. With them were corporate general manager Michael McCarthy and Las Vegas manager Wendy Hart, and Black Entertainment Television Holdings Inc. founder Robert Johnson. His efforts made possible the opening of Ortanique, which occupies the space previously held by Tres Jazz on the interior walkway between Paris Las Vegas and Bally's.

Looking on during the ceremonies were entertainer Bill Acosta with Paris Las Vegas President Tony Santo and his wife, Michelle, as well as Jeanne Bavaro and Duke and Candi Morgan. Rubbing shoulders at the elegant party were John O'Reilly, Bill Boyd, Virginia Valentine, Von Heinz, Lisa Keim, Michael Holly, Don Logan, Brian Menzel and Randy Sears, as well as state Sen. Michael Schneider, Larry Abel, Gene Marshall and Michael Luce.

A helping hand

A note from Van Heffner and Karen Dorsey with their team has alerted us to a Nov. 1 fund-raiser to help alleviate the financial crisis suffered by hospitality industry workers resulting from the Sept. 11 tragedies. The Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association, the Nevada Restaurant Association and its educational and philanthropic arm, Nevada Hospitality Foundation, are working with Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt to provide relief for Nevada families of displaced hospitality workers, as well as deployed military personnel.

The Hospitality Emergency Action Relief Tour will begin at 6 p.m. at Caesars Palace and offer a program patterned after the classic USO tours, featuring a parade of entertainers, an all-American dinner and more. Tickets are $100 each with further details and reservations available by calling 878-9272.

Awards luncheon

Commander's Palace, with host-owner Brad Brennan and general manager Michael A. Smith, recently welcomed many of the city's finest chefs and restaurateurs to the kick-off luncheon for the 2002 Epicurean Awards.

Commander's Palace, winner of the 2001 Best New Restaurant on the Strip award from Las Vegas Life magazine, was quickly filled with hospitality industry leaders including Elizabeth Blau, Misti Rossi, Laurie Kendrick, Wendy Hart, Tom Kaplan, Wendy Jordan with her mom, Maggie Bock, Rino Armeni, Jeff Fine and Fred Walters. Present as well were Sharon Bader, Chef Peter Sherlock and Jennifer Cheung, all of the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place, the host setting for the Epicurean Awards gala on Jan. 23. Readers' nominations for the city's best restaurants and lounges are being sought by Las Vegas Life.

A luncheon prepared by Executive Chef Carlos Guia followed the social hour at the gathering, with Lynn and Roger Saunders, Robin Leach, Brenda and Clint Holmes, Dave Kirvin, Michael Mische, Shaun Martin and Ira Sternberg among the attendees seated and greeted by John "J.J." Johnson and Tommy Lynn, both of Commander's Palace.

Jazz fund-raiser

A most pleasant evening of live music and original art at Canyon Gate Country Club served as a recent fund-raiser for Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation. All That Jazz, the benefit party, embraced the autumn weather enjoyed at an enormous Italian-styled villa in the gated community. Hosted by Barbara Lee Woollen of Vignettes designer art gallery, the occasion featured artist Jim Stallings, who painted to the lively jazz tunes of the Tommy Thompson Project. Working with Woollen to host the benefit were Gregg Gervorkian (Hi-Con Developers), Annie Gervorkian (Designer's Touch) and Ron Lowman (Luxury Homes of Las Vegas).

Guests, among them Virginia Stiles, Lee Ann and Michael Tuttle, Jacki and Ralph Izzi, Ron Faglia, and Jim and Mary Chaisson, were welcomed by Foundation president Dee Ladd with her husband, Ken Ladd. Touring the elegant golf-course home were Pamela Newel, Larry Weinstein, Megan and Justin Jones, Patrice and Lee Hoyt, and Jennifer and Brad Critchlow. Enjoying the light buffet and drinks on the patio were Richard and Betty Hanseen, Kristen Wise, Bryan Jorgensen, Dr. and Mrs. Rob Mason and Debbie Ladd, joined by foundation board members Peggy Smith, Debbie Primack and Sue and Doug Brandt. Funds generated will be used for the community projects run by the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation.

Anniversary season

Nevada Ballet Theatre will open with its 30th season Friday with a tribute dinner and gala performance honoring Kell and Nancy Houssels. Nancy Houssels and dancer-choreographer Vassili Sulich co-founded NBT as Nevada Dance Theatre in 1972.

Elaine Wynn will be mistress of ceremonies for the dinner at the Rio, which will include a friendly roast of the Houssels by friends and family. Also included will be a video of family photographs and clips from Nancy Houssels' performing career as half of the famous dance team of Szony and Claire. A gala performance by Nevada Ballet Theatre, created specifically for the occasion by artistic director Bruce Steivel, will follow in the Samba Theatre.

Featured in the evening's program will be appearances by international ballet stars, as well as the entire ballet company and young students of the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Tickets for both the dinner and performance, as well as the following evening's production of "Don Quixote," are available by calling 243-2623.

Noteworthy events

Worthy events needing your support this weekend include Saks Fifth Avenue's third annual charity shopping weekend, which begins with a party Thursday at the Fashion Show mall. With national sponsors, breast cancer survivors and experts to assist, the shopping weekend will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in its funding for cancer research, education, screening and treatment services.

Additionally, New Horizons Academy will host its annual art show and auction at its campus at 6701 W. Charleston Blvd., beginning at 5:30 p.m. with an art preview and artists' reception. The evening promises a rich selection of contemporary art in many mediums for auction, with proceeds to benefit the academy -- Nevada's only full-day gifted education program -- and its alternative learning environment for children ages 5-18. Tickets and details are available by calling 257-1829 or 876-1181.