Columnist Muriel Stevens: Warehouse worth visit — but make time

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 9:37 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

Christmas and New Year's dining are wrapped into this one column, since I will be away during both holidays.

If you are planning to entertain at home and would like to do it in grand style, visit the just-opened Gourmet Food Warehouse at 3595 East Patrick Lane (951-6600). Inside the warehouse is Caviar Select, which offers a wide array of caviars at exceptional prices.

The Gourmet Food Warehouse (associated with Van Rex Gourmet Foods) features a terrific selection of cheeses (cut from huge wheels), olive oils, vinegars and such hard-to-find items as violet mustard. It takes awhile to see everything. I was there for hours and still didn't see it all.

Ask for a Van Rex catalog that shows the range of the offerings. Not all of the items are in stock all of the time, but an order could be filled within 48 hours. This is a fascinating place. I can't wait to try the whole goose liver I picked up.

According to Van Rex associate Christopher Mihy, the liver can stay in my freezer for a few months. I was planning to poach the whole foie gras. This was one of my favorite meals the last time I was in Paris. Mihy's suggestion was to sear slices in a hot pan and then drizzle them with one of the excellent fruit vinegars available.

Mihy should know. He was the executive chef at the Hilton's grand gourmet room, Le Montrachet (now used for private parties). His cooking was divine, so I listen when he makes suggestions.

Call before going to the Gourmet Food Warehouse. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, but hours vary.

Christmas dining

Bellagio's Christmas: "I have spent many Christmas holidays working in restaurants around the world," Bellagio Executive Chef Grant MacPherson says. "I learned how important it is, on this special day, to prepare a memorable meal. The essential ingredients have always been good food, good talk and most of all, good memories."

Aqua fine seafood restaurant will offer a prix fixe, seven-course holiday menu both Christmas and Christmas Day for $95 per person. The regular menu will also be available. Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Le Cirque will feature a prix fixe dinner Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $125 per person. Circo will offer a four-course prix fixe, $85 per person, and a la carte entrees from $16 to $42, Christmas Day. Marc Poidevin, executive chef for both restaurants, has created the menus.

At Todd English's delightful Olives, a number of holiday specials will be offered in addition to the regular bill of fare.

Picasso, Prime, Nectar, Shintaro and Jasmine will offer festive meals for the special day. For reservations for Bellagio fine restaurants, call 693-7223.

A Christmas menu will be offered in Cafe Bellagio from noon to 9 p.m. The all-day menu will be available. Buffet Bellagio will include classic Christmas fare at the Champagne Brunch ($21.95) from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m; and at dinner ($31.95) from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Lawry's The Prime Rib: Victorian costumed carolers will be on hand at Lawry's through December. The carolers perform from 6 to 9 p.m. For reservations call 893-2223.

The Palms: The Palms will offer special Christmas dinners at the Fantasy Market Buffet and Sunrise Cafe Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monte Carlo: A Christmas Day buffet will be served 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for $13.95 per person. Christmas Day dinner in the cafe will be from noon to 9 p.m.; $13.95 per person. Andre's at the Monte Carlo will offer a prix fixe dinner Christmas Eve for $95 per person; service from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

Castaways: Prime Cut Steakhouse at the Castaways will offer a complete Christmas dinner with all of the side dishes and you get to take home the leftovers (they'll box them to go). Ham or turkey dinners are $30 for two people; each additional diner is $15. Tableside carving. Included are: sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes, gravy and cornbread stuffing, green beans almondine, cranberry sauce, glazed carrots, choice of soup or salad, beverage and dessert. Prime rib dinners with many sides are $44 for two people; additional diners $22 each. Reservations suggested. Call 385-9123 (credit card required).

Gustav Mauler restaurants: Sazio at The Orleans will serve Christmas dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Three courses, $16.95 per person. Spiedini at JW Marriott will offer a prix fixe menu from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., $29.95 per person; children ages 4 to 12 years, $15; kids 3 and under eat free. Four courses. Dinner at BullShrimp at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino is $29.95 per adult; $15 for youngsters 4 years to 12; free for children 3 and under. Four courses. Dinner at OXO at JW Marriott is $29.95 per adult; $15 for kids age 4 to 12; 3 years and under dine free. Reservations are suggested for all Mauler restaurants.

Tropicana: Christmas dinner will be offered at the Island Buffet, Calypsos Cafe and Savanna. Christmas buffet service is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. An additional menu will be added to Calypsos on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. priced at $12.95. Savanna's Christmas dinner is $34.95. Reservations are required at Savanna. Call 739-2376.

New Year's Eve

Sahara: Sahara will host a 50th anniversary New Year's Eve VIP party. Tickets are $125, tax inclusive. Open seating, limited space. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. there will be an open bar and sit-down dinner at 9 p.m. For party reservations call 737-2628. Party-goers must be 21 years or older.

Lawry's The Prime Rib: Greet the New Year at Lawry's with a typical English-style meal. Seating is limited and a credit card is required to secure a reservation. Seating from 5 p.m. Call 893-2223.

Little Buddha at the Palms: Little Buddha will offer two "extravagant" five-course menus created by chef Christophe Bonnegrace, and entertainment. There are seatings at 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The last seating, $125 to $150, includes admission to Club Buddha. For reservations or more information call 942-7777.

Market City Caffe at Monte Carlo: Market City Caffe will feature a three-course New Year's Eve menu for $46.95 per person. Included are Caesar Salad, Filet Mignon and Tiramisu. Call 730-7777 for reservations or information.

NOBHILL at MGM Grand: NOBHILL at MGM Grand will offer New Year's Eve dinners with four course and an amuse with a number of seatings. Early dinners with seatings at 5:30 or 6 p.m. are $95. Seatings at 8:30, 9 or 9:30 p.m. are $125. The course choices are terrific. Reservations are requested. Call 891-1111.

New Year's Eve at Cili: Chef Patton Robertson has designed three prix fixe, six-course menus. Cost of each dinner is $85 per person and includes a complimentary glass of champagne with the appetizer.

A prix fixe menu paired with three wines is $105 -- Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay, Ravenswood Zinfandel and Sandermans Founders Reserve Port. Reservations are required with a credit card guarantee. Seating begins at 6 p.m. Call 856-1000.

New Year's at Gustav Mauler eateries: Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m. at Sazio at The Orleans -- $16.95 per person. Ba Da Bing Dinner show in the private dining room is sold out. New Year's Eve at BullShrimp at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino is a la carte. Prices for appetizers and entrees range from $7 to Market price for Maine lobster. OXO at JW Marriott opens its doors at 8:30 p.m. Prix Fixe price is $125 per person. Includes five-courses. New Year's Eve dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight at Spiedini at JW Marriott. Price is $65 per person. A limited a la carte menu will be available.

Arizona Charlie's: Both Arizona Charlie's hotels will celebrate New Year's Eve; Arizona Charlie's on Decatur will host two parties and a bingo event. Arizona Charlie's on Boulder Highway will offer the same bingo deal. Arizona Charlie's on Boulder will not have the parties. The Checkmates, Las Vegas legends, will party in the Naughty Ladies Saloon at Arizona Charlie's on Decatur. Seating begins at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $39.95 and includes admission to the Midnight Buffet Party.

Most Strip and downtown hotels will have dining events. Check with your favorite.

Ethel M: Remember, some of the best things in life can be free, so take the family to see the lighted cactus garden at the Ethel M chocolate factory in Henderson. This beautiful display is lit from dusk to 11 p.m. through Jan. 5. The garden is looking more beautiful than ever and there are a record number of lights -- more than 260,000. Call ahead to learn if any special events are are scheduled.

Also, Ethel M has chosen the Nevada Magazine Gift Shop and Bookstore as its exclusive retail outlet in Carson City. Nevada Magazine gift shop is located at 401 North Carson Street in the Laxalt Building.

Buttered Montecristo rum and more: Recipes and samples of hot buttered rum created by Wolfgang Puck's Postrio and a Montecristo drink dubbed Cranberry Sauce, created by N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms are available at two Mr. Lee Discount Liquor stores Saturday and Sunday. But there's more than buttered rum to this story.

There are babes (bartenders) from Coyote Ugly and beach girls from Bikinis Beach & Dance Club. Sample the creations Saturday at Lee's at 4427 East Sunset Road from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday at Lees at 4421 North Rancho Road from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Recipes for the drinks will be available at both locations. Mellow Montecristo rum is featured in both cocktails. The Las Vegas-based rum firm is already a winner. Montecristo rum was the 2002 Best Rum pick by Wine & Spirits magazine. It's fine straight, too. That's the real test.

Happy holidays everyone. I'll return after the New Year. I was there for hours and still didn't see it all.

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