Monday, December 16, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLUMN: NORM!
Sevilla, Charo will add some spice to Desert Passage's nightlife
Charo's show is set to open in January at the Aladdin.
REVIEW-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
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Optimism is rare at Desert-ed Passage these days. But the owners of Sevilla, soon to be the Strip's largest restaurant-nightclub, see opportunity amid the storms.
Due to open Jan. 15 in the former Desert Passage food court, Sevilla will feature the enduring charm of Charo and a spectacular 35,000-square-foot venue.
"As popular as Latin music and food has become, it's only scratching the surface," said executive director Joe Reynolds, who envisions Sevilla as a destination location for a property in need of nightlife.
Sevilla's arrival comes at a time when Desert Passage, which opened 28 months ago in the Aladdin as America's most ambitious themed mall, sorely needs good news.
The latest setbacks:
• Trizec Properties revealed Friday a write-down of $286 million of its investments in troubled Hollywood and Las Vegas complexes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trizec wants to unload Desert Passage.
• Meanwhile, rumblings grow that the Brennan family of New Orleans is negotiating to get out of its lease and move Commander's Palace to another Strip property. Word has it they want to leave a Brennan's bistro-style eatery in the Desert Passage space.
Celine's sweet deal
We hear Celine Dion's epic deal with Caesars Palace includes this add-on: her own retail shop next to the 4,000-seat Colosseum Theatre built for her by Park Place Entertainment.
Her shop will be stocked with everything from Celine CDs to designer clothes and Judith Leiber-inspired Celine handbags.
Told you so
Star chef Michael Mina, co-owner of NobHill at the MGM Grand and Aqua at the Bellagio, has split from his restaurants and financial partners, citing "irreconcilable differences."
My sources say he has asked for an urgent midweek mediation hearing in San Francisco to legally leave his Las Vegas eateries and enter freely into negotiations with a rival hotel group to open his own restaurants here.
He has been courted by China Grill Management, operators of most of Mandalay Bay's restaurants, but I hear he has several options.
The Scene and Heard
A catfight from hell was averted when the "X" girls scheduled their Christmas party for tonight at Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel. Their rivals, the Crazy Girls, had their Christmas party at Kerry Simon's restaurant after Saturday's show (Riviera). Simon, one of the city's most eligible bachelors, is no innocent bystander. He has kept things boiling by dating in both camps.
Sightings
Rip Taylor, receiving roses sent by gal pal Anna Nicole Smith for Saturday's opening night of his A Las Vegas Christmas Spectacular! at the Rio. ... Jamie Foxx, celebrating his 35th birthday at the Palms on Saturday with dinner at N9NE, cake at ghostbar and actress Jennifer Esposito on his arm. Also at ghostbar: actor Jerry O'Connell, with pals; and former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler. ... Wilmer Valderrama, Topher Grace and Danny Masterson, all of "That '70s Show," at the bachelor party promotion for "Just Married," with castmate Ashton Kutcher, who was winning big and wearing a cap with the wording "Jesus is my home boy." ... Vanna White and Cyndi Lauper (no, not together) at Studio 54 (MGM Grand) on Saturday. ... Three cop cars outside Ferraro's on Saturday to ride herd on an 86'd rowdy party of eight that included some high-profile locals. ... Look for Penn & Teller to open Monday Night Football tonight. They just wrapped the first of 13 episodes for their new Showtime series, "Penn & Teller: Bullshit!" which debuts Jan. 24.
The Punch Line
"No offense, Fez, but you're one good cry away from being a total woman." --Steve Hyde (Danny Masterson) to Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) in "That '70s Show."
Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can reach him at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
