Category: Chefs

CAFE BA BA REEBA – Tapas Tales

It was probably unfair to visit Cafe Ba Ba Reeba two days after returning from munching on tapas prepared by three of the finest chefs of Spain — Alfonso Beltran, Paxti Bergara and Jose Manuel Crespo. Crespo, for one, has published a book on the elevation of the traditional Spanish tortilla de patatas and its many variations, and Begara, for another, has won a “Best Tapas” award in Spain. All of them dazzled the crowds at the CIA’s World’s Of Flavor Conference with an array of small plates you usually won’t find outside of San Sebastian.

But with tastes sharpened and senses heightened, we kept an open mind and went to the Fashion Show Mall last week for a lunch of small plates — as opposed to a small plate lunch. And what we found was food as solid as it has always been at this Lettuce Entertain You outpost.

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Letter Of The Week

For some reason, many of the most hostile letters we get come to us through the KNPR Web site (www.knpr.org). Here’s a recent one that had us scratching our head, and feeling sorry for uber-chef-and-nice-guy Vincent Pouessel of Aureole. With friends like this, who needs enemies?

Hey John,

I think I’m going to start writing to you more often. What do you think about doing some segments about these failed chefs you praise like Bryan Ogden; how he left his santa monica opening or his dad who is spending time in jail or your other buddy David Varley who shot costs through the roof at DJT, which closed down; who couldn’t see that coming.

But on a positive note, You should do a special segment on Aureole, considering it truly lead the path for a successful prefix, fine ding house in Vegas and still pushes strong and definitely high light Vincent Pouessel. I would say hes the most hardworking, passionate executive chef in las vegas, and yes he still works in his kitchen. His name should be on a restaurant.

Maybe you should help guys like that, instead of kissing the ass of these shallow fools you have been praising.

I bet you $100 bucks I know las vegas food scene better than you. You will be hearing from me some more. You wouldn’t believe what I do for a living out here.

Unsigned

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Dear Mr. Unpleasantandunsigned,

If you think it’s good to promote one chef or restaurant by badmouthing others, ELV (and the chefs on either end of your opinions) would beg you to reconsider.

Whatever personal or business issues a chef has are none of our business. Whether they’re talented or not is. The ones you mention so derisively are creative professionals who have enhanced our dining scene in numerous ways, and given immense pleasure to many customers.

As for knowing the Vegas food scene better than us; once you’ve eaten in every major restaurant in town at least half a dozen times, we’ll talk.

Indigestively yours,

ELV

Guy Fieri At UNLV’s Chef-Artist Series

This year’s event featured one of UNLV’s own — Food Network Star Guy Fieri — who returned to host and showcase the efforts of numerous UNLV Hotel School students as they strutted their stuff to an appreciative crowd of Las Vegas’s finest and foodiest movers and shakers.

The point of this yearly soiree — introduced and overseen by UNLV professor Dr. Pat Moreo — is to teach and display what our University’s finest have learned about the “art” of fine food and service.

All of this took place a month ago, but it happened in the midst of the Best Food Week Ever for Las Vegas, so ELV’s staff is just now getting around to posting the snaps. As you’ll see from the pics, the event was top drawer, thanks in no small part to Fieri — who was a good sport as he spent the day working with chefs and servers alike; helping everything to gel — just like his hair.