Special delivery for Ali’s sweet tooth
A "care" package from Las Vegas is on its way to Muhammad Ali for his 71st birthday Thursday.
Local businessman and philanthropist Larry Ruvo has been sending Ali the treats since The Champ fell in love with the goodies from the Red Velvet Café, a popular vegan restaurant and bakery.
The boxing great's affection for dessert is legendary. Shortly after the Palms opened in 2001 and hosted a screening for the movie "Ali," he was smitten by the bread pudding soufflé at N9NE Steakhouse and ordered three for himself.
Last February, Ruvo combined a 70th birthday party for Ali with the 15th Keep Memory Alive Foundation Power of Love fundraiser at the MGM Grand Garden arena.
Red Velvet Café chef Aneesha, who goes by her first name, said eight mostly coconut cakes and three kinds of cookies - vegan chocolate chip, oatmeal and a new red velvet recipe - were shipped.
Chef Aneesha's pastry background includes working in Thomas Keller's kitchens in Napa, Calif., and at The Venetian.
SHOT DOWN
Overheard in a Verizon store on Maryland Parkway the other day: An older man let it be known he was not happy with a smartphone plan that apparently included three family members.
When politely told he couldn't remove himself from the plan for another six months, his voice grew louder as he repeatedly insisted he wanted out.
Finally, he erupted.
"I guess it doesn't matter to anyone that I'm the grandson of the Red Baron," he sputtered, before storming off.
He was referring to Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary aristocratic German pilot who was the ace of World War I with 80 air combat victories.
He was never married and had no children when he died at age 25 in 1918 during an aerial battle.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Twitter rumblings hint Pasquale Rotella of Electric Daisy Carnival fame (and Holly Madison's beau) may be selling Insomniac Events, with SFX or Live Nation mentioned. ...
Two winners, in my opinion, with long runs ahead: Fresh from Broadway, the 1980s musical "Rock of Ages" will be a party-starter destination for The Venetian, and Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace surprised from the first bites of the bacon cheddar pretzels with horseradish cheese spread to the wildly exciting desserts. Our media table had raves for the Spotted Dog bread pudding, sticky toffee pudding and the Peanut Butter & Jelly, which featured blackberry cobbler with peanut crumble. ...
The Vegas-set film "Burt Wonderstone," with Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi and Jim Carrey cast as magicians, is being released March 15, a week after its debut at the SXSW Film Conference & Festival in Austin, Texas.
SIGHTINGS
Carlos Santana, dining at Vintner Grill on Tuesday. He was with his wife, Cindy Blackman. ... Jim Belushi, spotted in the casino at the Palms on Monday. ... Grammy winner Bruno Mars, dining at Lupo by Wolfgang Puck at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. ... Mirage headliner Terry Fator, taking in Celine Dion's show Sunday at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Fator was with his wife, Taylor Makakoa, and her mother, Nani Koki.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Congrats to 23-year-old Mallory Hagan from Brooklyn, who won the Miss America pageant on Saturday. You could tell that she is from Brooklyn because instead of saying she wanted world peace, she was like, 'War? Forget about it.' " - Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, 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. "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs Thursdays on the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
