Loving Las Vegas
October 27, 2009
On the Scene by Gerrye Wong for Asian Week Online
When some members of the Foon Hay Golf Club chose Las Vegas for their annual golf trip in October, the weather was perfect and the courses welcoming, as were all the brightly lit casinos and high rise hotels. Dan Hammel, Director of Golf at the TPC at the Canyons, was busy with the neighboring TPC Summerlin hosting the Justin Timberlake Charity Tournament that week, but his TPC Canyons course was in excellent condition and an engaging yet challenging course for any level player. The golf shop has won many awards for its extensive array of fashionable and latest golf equipment. Another welcoming course with interesting terrain was Angel Park where David Stead rules the roost to keep the play moving orderly and efficiently with a very personable staff throughout the whole lay out ready to guide and assist you whenever needed. Other courses enjoyed by the Bill Kimuras, James Gates, Chuck Leongs and Larry Louies, as arranged by John Kao and Wilson Fong, were the Palms, Wild Horse and Boulder City G.C.
Deborah Munch, VP of Public Relations of Caesars Palace gave us a marvelous tour of the newly renovated hotel casino with its multitude of attractive hotel wings, four inviting swimming pools with attractive private casitas available, and a Brahma Shrine on the street-side of the hotel which attracts Asian visitors from around the world. New to Caesars is the Beijing Noodle House #9 which features the cuisine of a Chef imported from Shandong Province, China, with his popular hand pulled noodle specialties. This small quiet out of the way restaurant is specially inviting for the casino patrons who desire and appreciate quick service with authentic Chinese dishes, Asian and non-Asian, according to Munch, who has seen the tremendous growth of Caesars in her over 20 year tenure with the hotel. She cited the many special programs offered by Caesars to their Asian clientele, including a Thanksgiving November 29 concert by Canton pop artist Hins Cheung which is sure to fill the 2000 seats at Caesars Colosseum Theatre. Enjoying the opening night of Caesar’s Bette Midler show were South Bay patrons Miriam Ngai, Carol Fong, James and Susan Lee.
Down the block at MGM Grand, upon Promotions Director Scott Ghertner’s recommendation, we enjoyed fine dining at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, sitting at the kitchen-side counter to watch the master French chefs at work in this popular Michelin star restaurant. General Manager Emmanuel Cornet introduced us to his gourmet special Discover Menu 9 course menu which featured appetizers foie gras parfait, Sea Scallops, white onion tart and duck foie gras with confit pierced quince and yuzu, entrees foie gras stuffed free-range quail and French-style hanger steak with fried shallots and ending with a delightfully light peach confit apricot milkshake and chocolate cake cremeux dessert layered with espresso ice cream. Served with fine wines, it was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday in the finest French style of cuisine. Chef Joel Robuchon had just been to the restaurant the week before overseeing and introducing new dishes for this very popular restaurant and its sister restaurant of fine dining next door, the Robouchon Signature Room.
Just in case you think I only lavish praise on food, my fellow travelers Dali Jones, John and Muriel Kao and Arthur Tom all agreed one of the best shows in Vegas was that of ventriloquist Terry Fator at the Mirage Hotel. A very likeable fellow with a wonderful voice which sings as voices of a myriad of puppets with nary a movement of his lips, Fator is a favorite among locals as well as Las Vegas visitors, and I would heartily recommend his show to any readers going to Vegas in the near future. Another performer to see is Comedienne, TV personality and author Rita Rudner who comes through with an hour and a half of one liners that keeps you either grinning, shaking your head or regaled with laughter at her Harrah’s show. So there you have it — take your pick - whether you like fine dining, great shows or relaxing golf — Vegas has it all, and more!
When you’re mingling amongst the large crowds there, you wonder - is there really an economic recession?
On the local scene: Japanese actress Kimiko Glenn breezed into the Bay Area with Broadway San Jose’s offering of Spring Awakening October 28-Nov 1 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. A student of the Boston Conservatory, she received her chance of a lifetime when offered to play Thea in this first national tour. www.springawakening.com
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