Food critic claims Wynn booted him

A five-star food fight has erupted with restaurant critic John Curtas claiming he was "thrown out" of a closing-night party at Steve Wynn's most-honored eatery.

Curtas, Nevada Public Radio's food and restaurant critic since 1996, said he walked into Alex restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas about 7:15 p.m. Saturday and was told by a Wynn publicist that he wasn't welcome because of "inappropriate comments" in his EatingLasVegas.com blog.

In an interview Sunday, Curtas said he initially was invited, then disinvited on Friday, and only intended to show up for a drink to support chef Alex Stratta and staff for elevating the restaurant to five-star status.

Curtas said it was clear he was unwelcome and left within minutes after a publicist told him his blog comments were "in poor taste and everybody at the restaurant and the hotel is very upset with you." He declined to identify the publicist, saying she was merely the messenger for Wynn.

At issue were some low brow terms in his Friday blog that suggested the Wynn and Encore properties were "selling out" to the nightclub crowd. Wynn's decision to emphasize nightclubs, while more profitable, have had a negative impact on Wynn restaurants, according to Curtas, a longtime local attorney.

"Sayonara to Steve Wynn and his cast of Philistines," Curtas wrote on his Twitter feed shortly after his exit.

A Wynn rep said Curtas "walked out, wasn't kicked out."

MISS AMERICA NOTES

Newly crowned Miss America Teresa Scanlan, who hopes to pursue politics, will get her first look at the White House this spring.

The 17-year-old Nebraskan, who's in New York City this weekend on the TV circuit, will lead a delegation representing the Children's Miracle Network, which raises funds and awareness for U.S. children's hospitals. Before that, she'll be attending the Super Bowl in Dallas on Feb. 6, her 18th birthday.

She's the youngest Miss America since Miss South Carolina Kimberly Aiken, the 1994 winner, who also was three weeks shy of her 18th birthday when she won.

After winning the crown Saturday night at Planet Hollywood Resort and meeting the media, Scanlan went to a ballroom to address her fellow contestants. Stunningly mature for her age, she told them, without the benefit of notes, "We're going to make sure no one forgets the Class of 2011 and I'm so honored to be representing all of you."

A chant broke out among the 50-some contestants in honor of Nebraska's first Miss America: "Go Big Red! Go Big Red!"

The Miss America Pageant's move to ABC-TV paid off in a 47 percent rating boost Saturday, up from 4.5 million viewers to 6.6 million.

SIGHTINGS

Snoop Dogg, making a surprise appearance at the 30th birthday party of recording artist/reality show star Ray J at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. Also joining Ray J: sister Brandy and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ... At Marquee (Cosmopolitan) on Saturday: "Dancing With the Stars" co-host Brooke Burke, fresh from hosting Miss America, with her partner David Charvet and, at another table, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Leinart, with a blonde. ... At "O" (Bellagio) on Saturday: ABC talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel, with a group of friends, including his girlfriend, Molly McNearney, who is head writer of his show, and newlyweds Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada") and John Krasinski ("The Office"). ... Hall of Fame running backs Eric Dickerson and Marcus Allen, with friends at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crabs (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday. ... At the Palms on Saturday: Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, with girlfriend/TV reporter Alicia Jacobs and comedienne Lisa Lampanelli at the Playboy Club. Earlier at Lampanelli's show: Neil's attorney David Chesnoff. During the show, Lampanelli started doing Chaz Bono jokes when someone who bore a striking resemblance to Bono stood up in the audience.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The Golden Globes will be on soon. It's an excellent predictor of how boring the Academy Awards will be." -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.