Columnist Jerry Fink: The heat is on at Kitchen Cafe

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

Jerry Fink's lounge column appears on Fridays. Reach him at jerry@ lasvegassun.com or 259-4058.

It's hard to find, but worth the search.

If you check your compass, you will find Kitchen Cafe on the northeast corner of Decatur Boulevard and Flamingo Road at the back of a shopping center -- way back.

The food in the restaurant is Greek and Italian, the fun in the lounge is spontaneous.

And the warm, family-like atmosphere is genuine. Teddy Daginis, who opened the restaurant 11 years ago, sees to that. The 52-year-old native of Greece has never met a stranger. He fusses over his customers as if each is his closest friend, fretting over whether they are enjoying themselves.

Daginis is a perfectionist who pays close attention to every detail of his establishment, which is why he has entertainment seven nights a week. What is good food without good music?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, from 10 p.m. until (sometimes) 6 a.m., the music and dancing are Greek.

The other four nights, the music and dancing are eclectic, which is Greek for a little bit of everything.

Holding down the stage on eclectic nights is pianist Dennis Mellen, who is usually backed up by trombonist/vocalist Brian O'Shea and flugelhorn and trumpet player Tom Saitta (who also sings).

Mellen has an open-mike policy, so joining the regular crew is a steady stream of guest musicians -- some professional, some amateur, some with tin ears, but all of them having a good time.

"Primarily we do jazz and standards, but we mix it up," Mellen said. "Different people have different talents."

Rock 'n' roll, country, jazz, blues. It's a smorgasbord. About the only thing missing is opera.

Wednesday nights seem to be the most popular, when as many as 20 guests may appear with Mellen.

"We try not to make it a clique, although we do have favorites who come in all the time, like (singer/producer) Gary B," Mellen said.

Guitarist Pauly D also is a regular. Jazz singer/keyboardist April Spain (who has a regular gig in the lounge at Fellini's Italian Restaurant) is a frequent guest.

Gennifer Flowers, former friend of President Bill Clinton, has been known to step up to the mike at the kitchen since moving to Las Vegas.

"She's really a good singer," Mellen said.

Clinton might agree with that.

"(Actor) Daniel Baldwin is a regular when he's in town," said Mellen, who once toured with comedian/impressionist Frank Gorshin. "Andre Agassi used to drop by all the time."

Entertainers from the Strip, such as Bill Acosta, are frequent visitors.

Percussionist Robert Moore is one of the semi-regulars with the band. The systems analyst for IBM frequently drops by on Wednesday nights to relax by playing the congas. On weekends, he usually heads for his native California, where he gets payed for his gigs in and around Ventura.

"Some nights we may have five or six piano players sitting in," Mellen said. "I don't know what to expect half the time."

One thing the audience can expect all the time is a great performance by Mellen, O'Shea and Saitta.

Mellen has been a professional musician for 30 years. He learned to play piano by ear at age 8 and three years later he was playing classical music. Mellen, a native of the Chicago area, performed in the Air Force for 11 years; had a band in Anchorage, Alaska, for a time and then in Phoenix. He moved to Las Vegas in '92.

O'Shea, who sometimes has a Joe Cocker sound when he sings, is a native of Scotland who was a popular performer in England before eventually migrating to America. He was a featured singer on Andrew Lloyd Webber's original "Jesus Christ Superstar " album, recorded in England in the early '70s.

While in England, O'Shea sang backup in the studio for such legends as Elton John, Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Saitta, a man in constant motion, may be better known in Las Vegas as a philanthropist and car dealer than as a flugelhorn player. The owner of Integrity Chrysler-Plymouth was a professional musician 30 years ago, before he decided to shift gears, get out of bars and into cars.

He has been part of Mellen's Wednesday Night All-Stars for about four years.

"I sing, dance, play the horn and have fun," Saitta, 60, said.

What more can you hope for in a lounge?

Lounging around

Elvis Alert: Fitzgeralds is hosting a contest for Elvis impersonators at 7 p.m. each Wednesday, through Nov. 14, in the downtown casino's Events Center. The winner will receive $500 and be able to audition for a six-month contract at Fitzgeralds. Call 361-5612 for details.

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