Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

TASTE OF THE TOWN: Wild Truffles celebrates chocolate

The scent of chocolate was in the air when I walked into Wild Truffles at 7905 W. Sahara Ave. It emanated from a four-tiered waterfall of dark, rich fondue, surrounded by cut-up fruit, ladyfingers and marshmallows for dipping as well as a couple of nameless women calculating how they could redirect the chocolate flow into their open mouths without getting caught.

And so it is at Wild Truffles, a European-style deli and catering business owned by German-born chef Georg Paulussen. The shop's name refers in part to the chocolate truffles -- sold by three, six or "the pallet," Paulussen said -- made in gratifying variety according to Paulussen's recipes.

The shop also carries imported chocolates (some combined with little figures), wood and leather boxes custom-filled with nuts, bags of nuts, salads, Starbucks coffee and other items. Several grab-and-run sandwich varieties -- such as chicken Waldorf salad on a French baguette or a gravlax wrap with spinach tortilla and dilled cream cheese -- are available, as are made-to-order sandwiches.

The fondue waterfall is, alas, not usually in the shop, but is part of Paulussen's catering business that offers several other action stations. Ice sculptures and carved cheeses are other services, and Paulussen does cooking classes, too, in small groups on whatever topic is desired. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 242-1542.

Speaking of things at 7905 W. Sahara Ave.: At Bella Luna, in the same center as Wild Truffles, Marco Porceddu, a veteran of restaurants at Treasure Island, Desert Inn and MGM Grand, is the new chef-owner. ...

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville has opened at the Flamingo, offering fresh fish including grouper, a sirloin steak with pineapple-rum sauce, Key lime pie and, of course, a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Be on the lookout for the three-story volcano that erupts -- not lava, but margaritas -- over the Volcano Bar.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. More information is available by calling 733-3111. ...

New for downtown diners is Boyo's, at 827 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, it has a sushi chef and all-you-can-eat sushi bar. The menu also includes rice bowls, soups, salads, lunch specials, noodles, combos and desserts. Free delivery is available and catering is offered. For more information, call 658-4214. ...

The All-American Buffet at Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, has new food stations. The buffet's now open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A champagne brunch runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. ...

Readers helping readers: For Debbie Wright, who is looking for Big John's Beans & Fixins', readers report that availability in Southern Nevada is limited. Those with commissary privileges can find the beans at Nellis Air Force Base. James Nevill said they're available in Southern California at stores in the Stater Bros. chain -- the nearest of which is found in Barstow -- and Leigh-Ann Gerow said they can be found at www.hometown

favorites.com. ...

For Harvey Godorov, looking for kadota figs, Kathy Hulse of Munster, Ind., said she found them at www.asiamex.com. And I'd definitely call before going, but the Web site of Oregon Fruit Products Co. (also suggested by Hulse) says its kadota figs are available at Stater Bros. as well. ...

For Jeanette Neikirk, looking for small cans of escargots, Cathy Katcher said her Caviar Baron Fine Foods, 3711 Industrial Road, carries cans that contain six dozen, but are 14 ounces. She also carries shad roe and other hard-to-find foods. ...

Reader requests: Dean Pomerantz, who recently moved here from Los Angeles, is seeking British, Argentine or Spanish blood sausage, plus Peruvian products and fresh Ethiopian injera bread. John St. Amour also is looking for blood pudding. ...

Judy Richards would like to find the New York Deli Brand beef franks that she used to get at Vons. ...

Jane Worrell is looking for Wishbone Western dressing.

Lillian Bean is on the lookout for polenta that is prepared and packaged like sausage.

Judy Norton would like to find a local supplier of seasoned flour tortillas, such as restaurants use for

wraps. ...

"I am finding it next to impossible to find bilberry jam and black-currant jam here in America," wrote Carmen Montoya. ...

Tom Strauss is on the hunt for halloumi cheese.

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 383-4676 or e-mail her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com.