This Just In….Forgione Out At Wynn. Some Guy Named Lefebvre Also Leaves.
Larry Forgione, the iconic American chef who invented free-range chicken (both the concept on restaurant menus and the word), and who was a proponent of farm-to-table, organic, healthful, American, locavore eating 25 years before most folks had ever heard of the concepts — has parted ways with the Wynn Hotel.
ELV knew sumpin’ was up over the past few months as he was hearing nuthin’ from Wynn about the (previously) much touted launch of a Forgione-signature restaurant in the Tableau space there. We bid au revoir to Larry and wish him well, whatever the circumstances of his departure.
As for Ludovic Lefebvfre leaving Lavo (yawn)…ELV couldn’t care less.
The reason ELV doesn’t drink the Kool-Aid when it comes to guys like Lefebvre is we know that they’re not here for the long run, and are only padding their bank accounts and/or their resumes. The fact that LL cooked mediocre food in the process for a bunch of credulous tourists and hotel executives, didn’t exactly enhance his stature in our eyes either.
And of course, he knows this, and his restaurant publicists know it too, and know that we know it. And we know they know that we know it; yet they persist in trying to get ELV and his staff interested someone who’ll probably knock around half a dozen venues in SoCal before someone recognizes his genius.
Give us one Forgione over a dozen Lefebvres any day. At least Larry, like Louis Osteen before him, was trying to do something special. Lefebvre was just cashing a check.
Restaurant reviews, quips, picks and pans-with some seriously salivating history-from the man who eats his way through Sin City every day.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 pm
BRAVO AGAIN John!! Not only is the chef to blame, but the owners Rich Wolf, Marc Packer and Luis Abin who think they are gods gift to the restaurant bis. All they do consistantly is serve average food, rape their guests and screw their help out of OT pay and in their offices (Rich and Luis)
March 5th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Yeah, I didn’t really get the whole Lefebvre episode… didn’t understand the menu concept, didn’t get the execution. Oddly enough, he seemed like a really nice guy, tho…
Could we get Osteen into the Tableau space? He’s got free time now, right? Or even his chef de cuisine… ;)
March 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
EC Gladstone, that’s an idea worth considering!
Would a genteel Southern restaurant or something like a Commander’s Palace work over at the Wynn?
March 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I actually had a decent meal at Lavo, better than decent actually, it was pretty good. I didn’t like the place as it was too loud and obnoxious – but that’s what you get when you have dinner inside a space that also houses a club. But the food was ok. Oh well, I wouldn’t have gone back anyway, and certainly won’t now. Breadbar is an interesting concept though…who wants to partner up?
March 6th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Lou and Rich enjoy the McLovo food, Thats all Ralph knows
March 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
After this change at Lavo, I am sure a buffet restaurant will be next for them,from Lavo to Lavo Garden to Lou and Rich All you can eat.
March 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I thought the meaning on Lavo was to bathe, I think it means the owners are taking a bath
March 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
lou abin is a creep and the only way he can get (any) is by using his authority. he is a pathetic 1/2 man and he knows it. i hate tao and lavo
March 9th, 2009 at 11:36 am
The new chef at Tableau is David Spero. He and I worked together at the Ryland Inn. Great guy, Solid technical cook, Sharp palette, lets see what he can do!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:07 am
LOUIS ABIN INVENTED THE WORD 2 FACED
March 10th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Also and Rick wote the book “how to cheat on your wife”!!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
It was just a matter of time that Ludo would loose his lavo and leave. Its the fault of Dick Wolf who thinks that by having a “star” chef the masses would throng to his establishment in the Palazzo. It takes a lot more than a star chef, a colon chewer(Lou) and “yes” men to create a great restaurant. What happened to the “vibe” Dick, Lou and Marc? Ludo hopefully still retains his vibe. Great chef with a mediocre restaurant group, never understood that “concept”.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hey Tortaluver- Lou Abin learned from the best, his mentor Richie Wuff who is the inventor of being two faced. Both are spineless and luv to intimidate their employees, treat them unfairly and take their pants off. BTW, Richie kisses like an ape.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Rich the WOLF only surrounds himself with losers, that’s the only way he can make himself look good,go get em Richy the WOLF
March 11th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Dick Wulf is a hypocrite and a liar to his staff. Learn to treat people with respect you a-hole. No wonder Ludo left, he saw through the BS. There are a lot of good people that work there or worked there (and are alot better off now) who are/were loyal to your kingdom. The people still there are only there to support there families. The employees cringe at the sound of Dicks nasaly winey voice or have to hear about his “visions”. I’m sure those visions are fueled by too much puffing on the hooka. Go back to New Yawk loser and take your ho’s, cronies and suck boys with you.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
These guys belong together (Rich Wolf and Louis Abin). Lou is Rich’s mini-me, unfair, pompous and repulsive. Lou, were you born with blue tooth connected to you head, do everyone a favor and lose it, and can you stick your tongue back in your mouth or are you getting ready to lick Richs a**? They are both weazels!
March 11th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
A jellyfish has more spine than Lou. Weak person. Sit, shake, roll over, good boy Lou.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
The outporing of support from unfortunately named individuals is impressive. Methinks sour grapes are best fermented into a reserve label. (Read: If you got fired by the people in question be a man and quit whining). I know neither Lou nor Rich, but I am sure they don’t deserve such a ridiculous lashing. But I do appreciate the irony of a person using fake names calling others spineless. Always one of my favorites.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Can I set the record straight on a few things.
Ludo is an incredible chef as I has tasted quite a few things he has made for me. The items he was forced (Yes I mean Forced) to cook for Lavo were all from the creative palette of Rich Wolf. Ludo made some incredible dishes with great passion during many tasting sessions only to have them shot down by Rich Wolf and have his reasons to saying no confirmed by his two yes men. I listened to Ludo on many occasions complain about how his hands were tied and how he sould have been working in a burger king rather than Lavo but was forced by contractual obligations to sit like a puppet monkey and dance for the circus masters at their request. Ludo only had really 2 of his own dishes on the entire menu and everything else was chosen by (B)rICH. If you thought the menu was bad before you just wait and see whats comming out of the minds of the 3 musketeers now. I know some of what they are planning and I can only say you will find a better taste and quality at the San Gennao festival.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Lets be serious ELV … You really think Larry”washed up ” Forgione came out here for anything but a quick pay day? The guy is soooooooooo passe . His food and style is ancient and boring . Ludo is a solid chef , as at one point, about 30 years ago so was Forgione . They are both mercinaries who hit sin city for a big pay day.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:58 am
having eaten ludos food many times, i took one look at the menu and the plating at lavo and knew right away it wasnt ludos food. things change when you are not able to cook whatever you like or want to cook, ludo is a creative type cook not a cook who needs to turn out a bunch of tourist food, i definitely dont think vegas was the place for him. for all the haters out there i am sure i will see you at ludo bites when it starts up again.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:57 am
It seems the web site domain name Lavo.com has come on the market. They have set up a site to send in offers at http://miwww.com/lavosale/index.html
Maybe Lavo will have a new website name soon? Or maybe the competition will snap up that domain an give them hell? Time will tell.