Las Vegas chefs star in Michelin

Two years after being wooed to America's hottest restaurant city, French star chef Joel Robuchon reigns as the king of Las Vegas kitchens.

Since the first Michelin restaurant guide was published more than 100 years ago, this was the first year Las Vegas and Los Angeles were added.

Only the MGM Grand's Joel Robuchon received three stars, Michelin's ultimate rating.

The announcement was to be made this week, with the presentation at a Wynn Las Vegas nightclub, but word leaked when Michelin inadvertently posted the ratings momentarily on its Web site.

Las Vegas and Los Angeles each had three two-star winners. The Las Vegas winners: Alex Stratta's Alex at Wynn Las Vegas; Bellagio's Picasso, under chef Julian Serrano, and Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace. The Los Angeles two-star winners: Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Mélisse in Santa Monica; and Urasawa, a Rodeo Drive Japanese restaurant with just 10 seats.

"I am pleased that the PR is going to go out everywhere. It is incredible recognition," said Serrano, who broke out Veuve Clicquot champagne and shared it with his staff after hearing the news Friday.

Robuchon, who was in Las Vegas checking on his two MGM Grand restaurants, celebrated with bubbly as well, joining MGM Grand executives at Tabu ultralounge after closing.

Robuchon won his first three stars from Michelin in 1983 at his Paris restaurant.

One-star ratings went to 12 Las Vegas restaurants: Alize, Palms; Andre's, downtown; Aureole, Mandalay Bay; Bradley Ogden, Caesars Palace; Daniel Boulud Brasserie, Wynn; L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, MGM Grand; Mesa Grill, Caesars Palace; Le Cirque, Bellagio; Michael Mina, Bellagio; Mix, Mandalay Bay; Nobu, Hard Rock Hotel; and Wing Lei, Wynn.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Look for a major Broadway-related announcement this week involving a local star on the rise. ...

ABC's late-night star Jimmy Kimmel and girlfriend/comedian Sarah Silverman, whooping it up with friends and family at Kimmel's 40th birthday party Saturday in the Hardwood suite at the Palms. Also there: pals Adam Corolla, Carson Daly and Huey Lewis.

SIGHTINGS

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell and his girlfriend, Terri Seymour, taking in "Love" (Mirage) on Saturday. ... At Koi's VIP opening Friday at Planet Hollywood Resort: Avril Lavigne and her husband, Daryck Whibley; Jeremy Piven; Rick Fox; David Spade; Chris Kattan; Chris Parnell; Seth Myers; Rachel Taylor; Petra Nemcova; Criss Angel; Penn Jillette and his wife, Emily; Pamela Anderson and her husband, Rick Salomon; Josh Meyers; Vince and Lia Neil; Rex Lee; Jon Cryer; Ian Ziering; Cisco Adler; Planet Hollywood brass Robert Earl and Mike and Sandy Mecca and Michael Boychuck and his wife, Karen; and Tao's Marc Packer, Rich Wolf and Noah Tepperberg. Many moved onto the after-party at Jet. Also at Jet: former Paris Hilton flame Stavros Niarchos, former "Baywatch" star Nicole Eggert and Jeff Beacher of "Beacher's Madhouse." ... A 2:30 a.m. fire alarm at LAX (Luxor) emptied most of the club temporarily. The celeb scene included: former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, who teamed up with DJ AM; Barker's wife, Shanna Moakler; Criss Angel; fashion model Petra Nemcova; actress Rachel Taylor; Niarchos and mixed-martial artist Dan Henderson. ... Lavigne and Whibley, at the Palms Pool & Bungalows. ... actress Gabrielle Union and Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil, having lunch with separate parties Saturday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... "Deal or No Deal" host Howie Mandel, catching lunch Saturday at Blondies Sports Bar and Grill inside the Miracle Mile Shops (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Adler, hip-hop singer Simon Rex and mixed-martial artist Keith Jardine, stopping by Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace). ... Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, dining Friday at Social House (Treasure Island). ... MTV reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of "The Hills," dining Friday at Stack (Mirage) before heading for Jet nightclub.