Former dealer saw need for steakhouse
Restaurateur Marcel Taylor, a former dealer at Caesars Palace who cashed in on his conviction that Las Vegas was ready for steakhouses, died late Wednesday at Mountain View Hospital.
He turned 74 on Oct. 2.
Taylor was one of the restaurateurs hardest hit by the city’s worst recession.
At one time he operated three Ruth’s Chris Steakhouses, two in Las Vegas and one in Denver. His East Flamingo location and Denver restaurant closed a few months apart in 2009 after nearly 15 years. The Paradise Road location closed in 2011 after 22 years, when the corporate office moved to get franchise rights back after Taylor fell behind on royalty payments.
He grew up in New Orleans and settled in Las Vegas after a stint in the Navy. His Southern charm served him well as one of the city’s more affable hosts.
Longtime bartender John O’Donnell said Taylor will be remembered as “a pioneer and a great guy.” O’Donnell recalled one of his longstanding rituals: a pre-midnight steak and a glass of red wine.
SINCLAIR’S ‘INSANE’ PAINT JOB
Stratosphere headliner Claire Sinclair is featured in an upcoming episode of “Naked City,” the SyFy Channel’s docu-series about five Las Vegas body paint artists.
“It was the most tedious experience ever,” said Sinclair, who parlayed her 2011 Playboy Playmate of the Year into the burlesque-themed “Pin Up” show. “You stand there for 11 hours and take minimal breaks. It’s so detailed it’s insane. If you saw me walking you would think it was latex or leather.”
The “Pin Up” episode, which features Sinclair with several Playboy Playmates, airs Nov. 19.
Sinclair, 22, is the subject of this week’s Q and A at normclarke.com.
She reveals some of the weirdest questions she gets, her “grandma-ish” approach to dating, where she’s going on vacation (it involves a famous red light district) and her favorite memories of Holly Madison’s wedding.
Sinclair was the queen of the Las Vegas Halloween Parade in downtown Thursday night.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
“Flipping Vegas,” an A&E reality show featuring Las Vegans Scott and Amie Yancey, premieres Saturday at 10 p.m. They will be tweeting during the show: @Scott_Yancey and @Amie_Yancey with the hashtag #flippingvegas. ...
Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren is honoring former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel and singer Pia Zadora during the Nevada Day celebration Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission: a $10 donation.
SIGHTINGS
Rock star Marilyn Manson, stepping behind the confetti cannon and blasting the crowded dance floor at Hyde Bellagio on Wednesday. Alternative metal’s “Prince of Darkness” was with his fiancé, Lindsay Usich. They partied with rapper Lil Jon at Crazy Horse III, doing shots and smoking hookah.
THE PUNCH LINE
“A new study found that 30 percent of Americans admit to getting most of their news on Facebook. You can tell news anchors are trying to compete with Facebook because tonight Brian Williams’ top story was just a picture of his cat.” — Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
