Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Roy’s opens second restaurant in Hawaiian splendor

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 | 8:17 a.m.

In keeping with the tradition of giving back and becoming a part of the fabric of the cities where it does business, Roy's chose to use the recent opening of its second Las Vegas restaurant to assist Child Haven.

The pre-opening dinner, done in classical Hawaiian fashion, reflecting the company's island heritage, also included a traditional Hawaiian blessing done ceremonially by a Kuma (wise teacher) to bring good fortune to the restaurant on East Flamingo, near Paradise Road.

The blessing was also a passing of the baton from founder-owner Chef Roy Yamaguchi and his original partner-premier protege Gordon Hopkins, to Roy's Las Vegas Chef Steve Potovsky and managing partner Jeff McDermott.

Proceeds from the dinner and cocktail reception were donated in total to Child Haven, a divison of Clark County Juvenile Services, where children are sheltered in troubled times.

Among those present at the fund-raiser were Darlene Terrill, Tim and Shari Quillin, County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, Rich MacDonald, Donna Hara, Jerry Cocaron, Robyn Campbell-Ouchida, state Sen. Ann O'Connell, as well as Mark Running, Roy's joint venture partner and Sandy Kremell, assistant director of Child Haven.

Superstars celebration

Marking the six-year anniversary of "American Superstars," the Stratosphere and Springtime Productions hosted a delightful celebration last week. Guests gathered for an early dinner in the property's Crazy Armadillo Mexican restaurant where they enjoyed an ample buffet, margaritas and specialty beers.

The entire cast of the very talented, eerily similar-looking "Superstars" performers were present in full costume, graciously posing for photos and answering questions on how they came to be appearing in the style of Charlie Daniels, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Elvis, Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson.

Hosts were American Superstars producers Donnie Moore and Mark Callas of Springtime Productions with Richard Brown, COO of Icahn Gaming-Las Vegas, joined by Papote Varet, choreographer of American Superstars and the soon-to-open Baywatch production at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

Following dinner, guests were escorted to the spacious showroom for a first look at the revised show with its newly designed patriotic set, sparkling costumes and new musical selections done with a live orchestra. The finale, created by former American Superstar principal dancer Melissa Williams, offered a spectacular finish to the new show.

Always F.I.T.

A celebration of Women of Business, a charitable gathering to benefit F.I.T. -- Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow -- was hosted last week by Nevada Woman, along with sponsors Neiman Marcus, M.J. Christensen Jewelers and the Stirling Club.

F.I.T. is a local nonprofit agency providing training to those on public assistance so they can go beyond minimum-wage jobs to earn enough money to support their families. Clients, screened for both drug and alcohol dependencies, must be 18 years of age, U.S. citizens and have either a high school degree or G.E.D. Since 1999, 200 clients have progressed through training to permanent jobs, while 110 are in vocational classes.

Planned as a networking mixer for busy professional women, the event was an early sellout, with a large crowd filling the nightclub, smoking and billards room and adjacent lounge of the Stirling Club.

The most popular man of the evening was Tony Goitia of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, host of the Christiania vodka bar, who served cosmopolitans, green apple and chocolate martinis made from Norwegian vodka.

Pedestal-style modeling of fashions from Neiman Marcus was directed by Anne Yendrek, who was seen discussing fashion trends with Regent Thalia Dondero, Suzanne Chabre, Giana and James "Bucky" Buchanan, Persia Golden and Beverly Mykisen with friend Beverly Hirth. Marci Reidy, CFO of the Las Vegas Hilton, attended with Park Place Vice President Debbie Munch, while other top professional women included Joanne Blystone, Fafie Moore, Sherri Lombardi, Louise Bullis, Jackie Glass and Janet Blumen, F.I.T. founder and chairman of the board.

Jewelry displays and parting gifts were provided to the attendees by M.J. Christensen Jewelers.