Michael's, at Barbary Coast, won't serve only desserts or salads at any price. It's a whole meal or nothing, maitre d' Jose Martel says.
Who knew? Apparently money can't buy everything.
An out-of-town high roller passed along this story: After dining at one of the more popular restaurants in town, he was in the mood for Cherries Jubilee.
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Aware that they were on the menu at Michael's, the high-end restaurant at Barbary Coast, he put in a call.
He was told Michael's does not serve "just dessert." He offered $500 for a single order.
"Money makes no difference," he was told. "We will not serve just dessert to anyone."
The high roller upped the ante to $5,000.
No, again.
He offered to order an entire dinner "to go," except for the dessert, which he wanted to eat at Michael's.
No and no, was the answer.
Undeterred, the caller made one more desperate try: He said he was an agent for a well-known celebrity ("I gave no name") who wanted the Cherries Jubilee, which goes for $22 per person.
No means no, he was told.
"That's a true story," said Jose Martel, the maitre d' at Michael's.
It's been a longstanding policy, he said.
"It would tie up the table, and it's a losing proposition. We can't have somebody come in for a salad," he said.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Proceeds from Celine Dion's 500th performance of "A New Day" on May 7 will go to 10 local charities. Specially priced tickets are available at 1-877-4-CELINE, at www.ticketmaster.com (keyword "Celine Dion") or at Caesars' box office. ...
Terrazza, a Caesars Palace Italian eatery for about 20 years, is closing on Sept. 1 and being replaced by Rao's, a tiny New York hot spot with a big name. Word is Rao's, a family operation in Harlem since1896, will open around Dec. 1. ...
Tony Dovolani of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" will provide a special performance at the Fred Astaire Dance Championships on April 21 at the Green Valley Ranch Grand Ballroom. Dovolani teamed up with Stacy Keibler on the hit ABC show. The box office opens at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45. ...
Friends of Joey Villa are gathering Sunday at the Bootlegger Bistro from 2-4 p.m. to hoist a few in his memory. ...
Planning a dinner out but need a menu to fit your budget? Erik Foubert has come up with an Internet version of the Las Vegas restaurant menu directory. Check it out at: www.menusearch.net ...
Clarification: The mountain resort that Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are backing is called Tamarack and is located in Donnelly, Idaho.
SIGHTINGS
Sting, back at Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay) on Thursday night. ... Sean Penn, checking out D12, the Detroit-based rap group, at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday night. ... Chicago Cubs slugger Derrek Lee, at a table with friends at Light (Bellagio) on Thursday. ... James Beard Award-winning chef Luciano Pellegrini of Valentino Restaurant (The Venetian), taking the oath of citizenship on Friday at the federal courthouse with 96 others. ... Ted Allen, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez of Bravo's "Queer Eye," in the audience at the Fashionistas show Thursday at Krave (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood). ... Country singer Trace Adkins and 12 members of his band and crew, taking in the Penn & Teller show (Rio) on Thursday night.
THE PUNCH LINE
"It was such a nice day here that Britney Spears' baby was driving a convertible." -- David Letterman
