VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Lip service given to exhibit

Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 | 5:24 a.m.

It's like "Where's Waldo?" but for grown-ups.

Seems there is a hidden Rolling Stones tongue-and-lips logo in every painting by Ruby Mazur on display at Barbara Lee Woollen's Art de Vignettes gallery at Fashion Show mall.

Mazur, the Las Vegas artist and designer, created the iconic Stones logo more than 30 years ago. It is perhaps the most identifiable rock 'n' roll image ever created.

In the exhibit, each of Mazur's paintings features a different showgirl from the Luxor show "Midnight Fantasy."

Mazur and most of the "Midnight" performers attended a gala opening party at the gallery Thursday night.

One highlight: Lawyer and socialite Gianna Buchanan and the ubiquitous Monti Rock III wore nearly identical leopard-print tops.

"It looks better on my wife," cracked Gianna's husband, criminal defense attorney James "Bucky" Buchanan, a late arrival after wrapping a long day's work on the 311 Boyz case.

Others milling among the artwork: Sheena Easton, Robin Leach, Brenda Holmes, various "Chippendales" and "Thunder From Down Under" cast members and television personalities Darcy Spears and Polly Gonzalez.

When he first came to Las Vegas to open the Bellagio club Light, Andrew Sasson was disappointed that he could not call down to a deli and get a toasted bagel and a coffee delivered up to his office.

So he is partnering to build an exclusive high-rise condo building -- one that has a gourmet deli downstairs providing a delivery service.

Sasson, the British-born founder of the Jet Corp., which has operated exclusive night spots in London, Miami, the Hamptons and New York City, announced last week he is teaming with Vegas entrepreneur Laurence Hallier to build Panorama, a 30-story, 250-residence tower west of Interstate 15 near Harmon Avenue.

"I looked around Las Vegas and saw that there was nothing here like the really hip places in New York or Los Angeles, despite the fact that there are some very sophisticated people in this town who appreciate high-end design," Sasson told VegasBeat.

"Plus, we are near the Strip, which is the Las Vegas beachfront. In some cities, you want to look out on the water. Here, it is the dazzle and the lights on the Strip."

Among the amenities in the new building, which will be designed by Brad Pitt's favorite architects, Graft of Berlin, are a one-acre pool area, private screening room, yoga center, dog park and, of course, the new gourmet grocery, to be operated by chefs Kerry Simon and Kim Canteenwalla of Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Look out: Two restaurants officially open this week that promise to draw more than their share of celebrities.

Fiamma Trattoria at MGM Grand, owned by celeb restaurateur Steve Hanson, hosted an HBO-sponsored, post-fight party Saturday night, and has its local VIP opening Monday.

Aquaknox debuts this weekend in a sleek space at The Venetian, formerly occupied by Star Canyon.

Executive Chef Tom Moloney and managing partner Ron Garcia have developed a devoted following from several previous eateries. Plus, the restaurant's spectacular "wine waterfall," a tower of bottles surrounded by cascading water, promises to be a big draw.

A shout-out to the Windy City:

A "Taste of Chicago" culinary event is scheduled for this afternoon at Bally's 26th-floor Skyview Room.

Producers Dan Zifkin and Jonathan Scott and Zephyr Media, all visiting this weekend from Chicago, are hosting the event, which features the music of The Fabulous Baker Boys and illusionist Gregory Dow.

The chow line will feature such delectables as Chicago hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches with gardeneira and deep-dish pizza.

Later the group fully expects to discuss the inevitable demise of the Cubs and White Sox and cry in their beer.