Raid conducted at Beso and Eve
A daytime raid was conducted Wednesday by a private security staff at Eva Longoria Parker's Beso restaurant and Eve nightclub at CityCenter, according to a source.
The action was taken to wrest control of the restaurant and nightclub from a man who reportedly was taking over the venue at Crystals retail center without proper authority.
The source said a man was served with a restraining order barring him from the property, executive offices and contact with staff. The man's wife was barred as well.
A team of investigators put together by Beso ownership group was in charge of the raid, which included former federal and Metropolitan Police Department officers acting under the supervision of a former federal prosecutor.
There were concerns about violence as well, after the man in question threw bottles of champagne at a chef, the source said.
The raid was over in 10 minutes, and the restaurant never closed during a busy Cinco de Mayo celebration. It was business as usual on Thursday.
CityCenter management was informed in advance of the raid and helped monitor the situation. The restaurant had been under surveillance for about 10 days, I'm told.
feud goes on
The long-running Erik Estrada-George Lopez feud reheated, appropriately, on Cinco de Mayo.
Estrada, at the Luxor on Wednesday to host a Cinco de Mayo party at Tacos & Tequila, said Lopez has been trashing him for years because "he wants my crown. He wants to be The Latino."
The bad blood dates back to 1977, according to Lopez, who claims he got the brushoff during the first year Estrada filmed "CHiPs," the NBC-TV series that ran six seasons.
"He said I didn't shake his hand," said Estrada, who played California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Frank Poncherello.
Estrada isn't buying that as the reason for the feud. It doesn't make sense, he says, because about five years ago Lopez invited him to be on his TV series . At the same time , Estrada was invited to be on "According to Jim," starring Jim Belushi. Estrada opted for "According to Jim," helping the show get big ratings.
Estrada is convinced Lopez held it against him, especially after "George Lopez" was canceled in 2007.
Two years ago they ran into each other at a street carnival in Studio City and Estrada said he asked Lopez, "What's your beef?"
Lopez brought up the handshake. Estrada said he apologized "if that happened." But before the conversation was over, Estrada said he let Lopez know they could settle it with fisticuffs right there.
"I'm a comedian, not a fighter," was Lopez's response, according to Estrada.
may I recommend ...
All 51 of the 2010 Miss USA contestants are participating in a special runway show at 6 tonight at Fashion Show mall. Also this weekend, the Silverton casino will be sizzlin' with the San Gennaro Feast. And for the latest information on what events still have tickets at Vegas Uncork'd, presented by Bon Appetit, check out www.VegasUncorked.com.
SIGHTINGS
French star chef Alain Ducasse, opening a bottle of champagne with a saber at his Mix restaurant and lounge (The Hotel at Mandalay Bay) during Thursday's kickoff of Vegas Uncork'd . ... Earlier, chefs participating in Uncork'd, including Caesars Palace chefs Bradley Ogden and Todd Williams were at Three Square food bank, the event's charity for the second year in a row.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Oddly, Cinco de Mayo is more popular here than in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo to us is what David Hasselhoff is to Germany." -- Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
