Monday, May 09, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Chef's pal Murray buys the burgers

Former pizza guy Bill Murray treats Iron Chef audience. Robert Goulet still drawing raves. Evangeline Lilly loses shirt at show. Stevie Wonder sings birthday songs.

Back in their Chicago teen years, actor-to-be Bill Murray and chef-of-the-future Kerry Simon worked in a pizza joint.

Fame didn't stop Murray from staying in touch over the years with his pie-slinging pal, now chef at Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock.

Last week in New York City, Murray was in the audience when Simon competed in the Food Network's Iron Chef contest against Napa chef Cat Cora, a previous winner.

Murray enjoyed the event so much that he took the entire audience to a burger joint and picked up the tab. The contest will air in July.

The Scene and Heard

Clark County Democratic Party exec Stephen Cloobeck was an election-day guest of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who won a historic third term on Thursday. Reached in London, Cloobeck, a time-share resort exec who serves on his party's finance committee, confirmed he was with Blair during election day but didn't disclose details on the visit. There have been rumblings that Cloobeck has been interested in a U.S. Senate run or a gubernatorial bid. ...

R-J reader Martin Elge of Las Vegas has issues with Jerry Lewis' claim that Frank Sinatra was trying to smuggle $3.5 million in $50 bills past customs for the mob. "That much cash in that denomination would weigh about 154 pounds. Maybe they should have called him 'Ol' Big Biceps' instead of 'Ol' Blue Eyes.' " ...

Las Vegas resident Robert Goulet is aglow after getting rave reviews from The Associated Press and the New York Post for his role in the Broadway revival of ''La Cage aux Folles.'' The Post's Clive Barnes wrote: "Robert Goulet should be named a Living National Treasure of our Theater." ...

New York-New York will be the first qualifying stop on the road to the 2005 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The contest takes place at 3 p.m. May 19. ...

Wildest Steve Wynn story of the week: Room occupants are being told not to lift that small box of candy more than eight seconds because it activates a motion device and guests will be charged for their suite- tooth cravings. It's the high-tech equivalent of the honor bar.

Sightings

Mary J. Blige and the Wallflowers, performing at the grand opening of La Bete nightclub (Wynn Las Vegas) Saturday night in front of a crowd that included Steve and Elaine Wynn, who were dancing up a storm. ... At Rain nightclub (Palms) on Saturday: sports stars Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dante Hall of the Kansas City Chiefs and car racer Michael Andretti, and "Alias" cast member Michael Weisman. ... NBA All-Star Jalen Rose, at OPM nightclub (Forums Shops at Caesars) on Saturday. ... "Lost" actors Dominic Monaghan and Evangeline Lilly got caught up in the steamy vibe of "Zumanity" (New York-New York) on Friday. Lilly was spotted taking off her shirt during the show. ... Wolfgang Puck's star chef David Robins and Anna Cohen of Southern Wine & Spirits, getting hitched at sunset Saturday in the back yard at the home of nightclub operator Robert Frey. ... At Fix restaurant (Bellagio): former hockey star Claude Lemieux. ... Paulie Shore, spotted at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) and Pure (Caesars Palace). ... Andy Dick, a planet unto himself Saturday at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. ... Stevie Wonder, performing at a private birthday party at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday night. Attendees included New York socialite Denise Rich and Tom Arnold.

The Punch Line

"You know you're getting old when ... your knees buckle but your belt won't." -- Anonymous

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.