Arts & Entertainment
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
Vegas, Frisco ••• And Venice?
An erzatz Rat Pack, a wayward wharf, and Rivers cruising a river.
T
he evening's brightest spot was
and bus driver at a Las Vegas
provided by two former Detroiters Strip hotel and Chris is at Hard
... It was at the Sahara Hotel
Rock Cafe's sports book.
in Las Vegas where I had gone to hear
All three go under their
another attempt by four gents trying hard
true family name of Slepsky,
to impersonate former showbiz legends
but on musical gigs like club
that wowed audiences at the former Sands
dates, weddings, casino lounge
Hotel ... Rat Pack guys Frank Sinatra,
acts, etc., they still use Rose
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey
... Chris on drums, Tony, bass,
Bishop ... Peter Lawford was the other
and Gary, guitar ... David's
member.
brother, Kevin DiCosta, piano
Many folks will remember the drummer tickling, sometimes accompa-
in the seven-piece orchestra that backed
nies the boys.
up the Sahara show ... He is localite Billy
I like to stay at the Flamingo Hotel
Rose's grandson and played with the Billy
because it brings back many memories,
Rose Quartet at the former Excalibur on
but also enjoy Las Vegas's other proper-
Northwestern and 12 Mile, Southfield,
ties with their distinctive qualities ... The
before it became Pi and
Venetian, where I stayed
now the Pub.
on this trip, is owned
Doing Frank Sinatra
by Sheldon Adelson and
was David DiCosta,
beyond comparison
son of the late Ronnie
as probably one of the
Shandor, Billy's cousin
most beautiful hotel
and former songster
sights in the world ... A
and bass player.
FRAN% SIN.s.": RA
replica of Venice, Italy's
FAN MARTIN
The four guys mak-
SAMMY 3AVIS JR
St.
Mark's Square (with-
P=T ER taWF
;
ing up the Rat Pack
out the pigeons) with
impersonation at the
restaurants, continuous
Sahara worked up a big
stage entertainment,
sweat in trying their
puppets, guys and gals
darnedest to please ...
on stilts, walking stat-
It wouldn't be fair for
ues, magnificent archi-
me to make any com-
tecture, etc. ... Lunch at
ments about a copy
Wolfgang Puck's Postrio
after being one of the
Bar & Grill in St. Mark's
lucky ones to have seen The Rat Pack
Square, although well-
the real Rat Pack that
designed did not seem
wowed them at the Sands.
to live up to the magnificent surroundings
Buddy Hackett's son Bobby is the show's while failing to please with the bland over-
producer.
priced food presented by gracious servers.
Remember Billy Rose's three sons who
But this is Las Vegas today, much unlike
also played in groups with him? ... Gary
yesteryears when every stop brought more
is a dealer at the Luxor Hotel, Tony a limo
enjoyment ... The commercialism has
•
taken over in a cold big busi-
bib and prepared to dig into the simmer-
ness way, omitting so much
ing bowl filled with sea-faring goodies
many of those wonderful per-
... But our joy was short-lived ... Higher
sonal touches.
priced and little taste ... It was quite obvi-
A food winner on the strip
ous that something seemed to be lacking
is at the Venetian ... I enjoy
... Just a bad experience in my opinion ...
good food, good service and
This could not be he same one I had heard
reasonable prices that don't
about and so will try it again at another
have rip-off odors ... These
time ... Scoma's is too highly regarded as
I discovered at the Venetian's
a fine seafood restaurant not to have a bet-
Grand Lux Cafe, a sister
ter Cioppino.
of Cheesecake Factory ...
Delicatessens in
Excellent menu, tasty food,
San Francisco
goodly portions and down-to-earth prices. are everywhere
Seventy-seven-year-old Joan Rivers
it seems, but
appearing at the Venetian, loves riding a
not Jewish
gondola and "having a gondolier sing to
ones ...
you:' but former Detroiters Joe and Helen
mostly Italian,
Mimmerman came over to take a gon-
Polish, German,
dola ride in remembrance of their visit to
etc. ... Fisherman's
Venice and Joe says they had a gondolier
Wharf is an experience,
at the Venetian that never uttered a peep.
with the crowded walks and open-air stores
Productions shows have taken over
that sell everything, even the kitchen sink
entertainment in Las Vegas ... The regu-
... The wharf itself is a must-see, especially
lars acts are always on stage, like the best,
when boats come in filled with catches of
David Copperfield, but only a few big
the day for restaurants to serve ... And,
names, Cher, Donnie and Marie and Barry of course, the many outdoor stalls selling
Manilow while I was there ... Going to
seafood catches folks drool over ... Miami
Las Vegas used to be so much more fun as has its South Beach famous for the diet
hotels outdid each other with name acts.
named after it and San Francisco has its
If you're dressed smartly or wear a
North Beach, a "Little Italy" noted for Italian
jacket, you are seemingly out of place ...
restaurants with their putting-on-pounds
The look is informal comfort, but to yes-
pasta dishes.
teryears visitors looking good was also an
CONGRATS ... To Melissa Litvin on
important feel of comfort.
her 42nd birthday ... To Wilbert "Willie"
IN SAN FRANCISCO, I had sort
Blake on his 72nd birthday ... To Hyman
of a mission ... It was to find a better
"Hy" and Marilyn Blinder on their 63rd
Cioppino than the one I've had at Tadish
anniversary ... To Bernard "Bernie" and
Grill with its clams, prawns, scallops,
Charlotte Biegel on their 65th anniversary
bay shrimp, crabmeat. whitefish, etc.
... To Allan and Dorrann Rosenberg on
... Hearing so much about Scoma's at
their 68th anniversary. ❑
Fisherman's Wharf, it was with an antici-
pated taste treat that we donned a plastic
Danny's address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .
0. 000fIllr7"1" ::%N.
•
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off
Your Food
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B
I Try the new Tavern On 13 and receive 25%
off your food bill* with this coupon
Valid thru November 15th, 2010
17600 W 13 mile Rd. Beverly Hills Mi. 48025
(248) 647-7747
www.mattprenticerg.com
68 October 28 • 2010
Not valid with gift cards, certificates .or frequent diners rewards.
Does not apply to private parties, alcohol or any other promotion
Limited to parties of 8 or less
MI
IIMM NMI MN MI