Friday, June 14, 2002 | 8:41 a.m.
Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or [email protected].
Did you know that taking Dad out to dinner on Father's Day is gaining in popularity? This is according to the National Restaurant Association's Holiday Dining 2000 Survey. NRA's Father's Day dining tracking shows a 6 percent increase since 1996.
This includes dining in all kinds of restaurants and food-service outlets. According to NRA, Father's Day is the fourth most popular holiday or occasion to dine out, following birthdays (55 percent), Mother's Day (38 percent) and Valentine's Day (32 percent).
Households of three or more members are more likely to dine out on Father's Day than smaller households. "Our research shows that treating Dad to a meal at a local restaurant on Father's Day is gaining popularity," NRA President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson said.
Local restaurants and hotels don't give much notice to Father's Day, at least not the ones I called to see if something interesting was in store for dads. Maybe the news from NRA will pique their interest for next Father's Day.
Of course, there are always exceptions. Read on:
Father eats free at Fiesta: Bring Dad to the Festival Buffet at Fiesta from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and his meal is on the house. The offer is good at both Fiesta Rancho and the Fiesta Henderson. These special champagne brunch buffets will be served throughout the day. Father's Day specials will include New York steak and crab legs, as well as a large selection of desserts and other yummies.
Restaurants at both locations will vie for Dad's presence with many specials. Call your favorite to learn what they're planning.
More Father's Day suggestions: Le Village Buffet will take Dad to Paris -- Paris Las Vegas, of course. Guests dine in a "village-like setting" where they may choose to eat "outside" in the village square or in a separate dining room. There are a few private nooks for small parties, but these are in great demand.
The foods from five French provinces are featured. Each station is themed for a particular province and features a facade that is designed to replicate the architecture of the province. Authentic or not, the designs are charming.
The Brittany station features crepes; Normandy offers fresh seafood and fish; Burgundy has prime rib, ham, rotisserie chicken veal stew and pork chops; at Alsace the offerings include traditional chicken and mushroom vol-au-vent (puff pastry), stuffed croissants, grilled Alsatian sausages and scrambled eggs with salmon. Station Le Jardin includes juices, seafood, regional native cheeses, fruits, salads, soups and freshly-baked breads.
The Bretagne station offers an assortment of beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks in souvenir glasses.
If this is France there must be desserts -- a large selection of pies, pastries and an assortment of sugar-free sweets are found at the dessert station. Village Buffet is a lovely setting for a meal under blue skies, on cobblestone walkways, with marble-top tables and other decorative touches.
Sunday champagne brunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: $21.95 for adults (includes unlimited champagne); $18.95 for children 4 to 12 years. Sunday dinner service begins at 4:30 p.m.
This is one of the many excellent Sunday brunches available, but the setting makes it special.
More Dad: Bellagio Vice President of Food and Beverage Bryan O'Shields captured his own Father's Day gift when he was named winner of the Gold Plate Award by the International Food Manufacturers' Association. The presentation was made in Chicago recently, during the 83rd National Restaurant Association Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show.
O'Shields was chosen from among the Silver Plate recipients in nine categories. His Silver Plate was in the Hotels and Lodging category. Only one Silver Plate recipient can win the gold.
Lullabies at Circo: Antonello Paganuzzi, general manager of Le Cirque and Circo at Bellagio, and his wife, Sally, will celebrate Father's Day with their just-born son (June 7 was the birth date), Andrew Luigi Turni. Happy Father's Day, Antonello. If you manage family life the way you do the restaurants, life at the Paganuzzi abode is running smooth as silk. The happy father is on paternity leave -- Sally did the hard part, now it's Daddy's turn.
Short orders
Burger King and Dad: Treat Dad to one of the new BK Back Porch Grillers seasoned patties, "just like you'd make from your own back porch grill." (Hey, BK, in Las Vegas we have patios, few porches.)
BKBP Grillers begin with two seasoned patties on a "bakery-style bun," topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. That's the basic one. The Smokehouse Cheddar includes smoked cheddar cheese and bacon topped topped with lettuce and a creamy smokehouse sauce.
Indulge. This is a special occasion.
Jack in the Box and Dad: Have a berry, merry day, Dad, with a Jack's Ultimate Berry Shake made with real ice cream and berries. Ultimate Berry Shake comes in two sizes: 16 ounces ($1.99) and 20 ounces ($2.29). This is the latest of Jack's real ice cream desserts. Priced small enough for little kids' piggy banks, sipping an Ultimate Berry Shake with the little ones could be a sweet diversion on a hot Father's Day.
Welcome back, Luc: Luc H. Akellino, previously with The Rio/Harrah's Entertainment, is now executive director of food and beverage at Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin. Akellino has a wealth of experience. Among his many credits: director of food and beverage at the Beverly Hills Peninsula and restaurant director at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach.
With Akellino at the helm, Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin will be making many dining improvements. The independent restaurants, Spiedini, OXO and Hamada, will remain the same.
In the works is a 365-seat buffet on the casino level (opening in July). Included will be an Asian station and American and Italian stations with a wood-burning pizza oven and a rotisserie. Just after the buffet opens, a 24-hour bistro-style cafe will open.
In mid-August, fine dining returns with the opening of Carmel, a continental-style restaurant. Prices will be "moderate." Carmel will be situated in the heart of the casino.
Koto at Orleans: Koto Chinese Restaurant and Japanese Sushibar at the Orleans closed June 2. No word yet on a replacement, but such a prime casino location should be filled lickety split.
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