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| Bubble-Licious |
Bubble-Licious
On
Thursday, April 16, UNLVino kicked off with its inaugural event,
Bubble-Licious, in The Venetian Las Vegas’® beautiful Doge’s Palace Plaza.
Guests imbibed on exclusive champagne and sparkling wine selections from the industry’s
top suppliers and feasted on selections from a collection of The Venetian and
Palazzo’s restaurants.
The
Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence was given to James Beard Award-winning Chef
Daniel Boulud, recognizing him as one of America’s leading culinary authorities
as well as for his commitment to encouraging aspiring chefs in the hospitality
industry. The award was presented by Larry Ruvo, Senior Managing Director of
Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada; Michael Severino, Southern Wine &
Spirits of Nevada’s Director of Marketing & Special Events; Stowe
Shoemaker, Dean of UNLV’s Hotel College; Len Jessup, President of UNLV; and
UNLV scholarship recipient, Emma James. The evening was filled with memorable
moments for Chef Boulud, including a birthday cake presented by Buddy V Las
Vegas, a signed chef jacket from UNLV’s Hotel College senior class and an
unforgettable rendition of “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” performed by
award-winning singer and songwriter, Chadwick Johnson.
A
UNLVino staple for several years, Bubble-Licious commenced with the traditional
“21 Cork Salute” as local sommeliers and restaurateurs popped 21 bottles of Dom
Pérignon. Fantastic champagne and sparkling wine flowed to accompany small
plates from The Venetian and Palazzo’s collection of restaurants, including
B&B Ristorante’s Coteachino with Insalata Primavera and Aceto; Mango Crunch
Ice Cream Pops Dipped in Dulce Chocolate from SushiSamba; Garlic Sausage
"En Croute” from Bouchon and Lobster Boudin Blanc by Chef Boulud’s db
Brasserie. Other culinary highlights included Farro Verde with Spring
Vegetables from Otto by Mario Battali; Carlo’s Bakery’s Cake Bites, Cannolis
and Italian Cookies; and Smoked Pork Terrine with Pickled Watermelon Rind and
Root Beer Syrup by Delmonico.
Bubble-Licious
was brought to life by Chadwick Johnson, who had guests singing along to his
soulful set. Additionally, The Venetian’s Streetmosphere performers rounded out
the entertainment lineup with festive actors, acrobats, dancers and living
statues, adding the jubilation of the evening.
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| Naked Fish Carves Up 240 lb Tuna |
Sake
Fever
UNLVino
continued with Sake Fever, an outdoor soiree spanning Red Rock Resort Casino
& Spa’s scenic pool on Friday, April 17. The night was filled with
incredible sakes and Asian spirits, as well as cuisine from Las Vegas’ hottest
restaurants.
During
a special presentation, Don Snyder, Presidential Advisor of UNLV, was given the
Dom Pérignon Award of Excellence for his contributions to Las Vegas’ community,
including landmarks such as Fremont Street Experience and The Smith Center.
Larry Ruvo also took a moment during the ceremony to honor Don’s wife, Dee
Snyder, for her leadership in the community and as a partner in Don Snyder’s
Las Vegas endeavors. Ruvo and the Snyders were joined on stage by Len Jessup,
Stowe Shoemaker, Michael Severino and Abby Pancoast, a UNLV senior who is a
recipient of the scholarships that UNLVino generates for students in the Hotel
College.
To
kick off the festivities, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, Ruvo and Severino took part in
the ceremonial sake barrel cracking. After opening the barrels with traditional
mallets, guests were treated to an exciting performance by a Japanese Taiko
drum troupe, featuring Rob DeTie, Ryan Sampson, Jordan Hoss, Mike
"Pip" Ullemeyer, while they lined up for a sip of sake to toast.
The
East and West were united as guests sampled dishes from a variety of Asian
eateries, as well as Sin City’s hottest barbecue joints to pair with a variety
of sakes, cocktails and spirits. As per tradition, Naked Fish’s Sushi and Grill
treated guests to the rare experience of tasting impossibly fresh sashimi
skillfully carved from a 240-pound bluefin tuna; and Katsuji Tanabe, a Food
Network “Chopped” champion, served up his famous Dirty Tacos. Guests also
nibbled on bites from 8 Noodle Bar; Aburiya Raku, District One, Double Barrel
Roadhouse, Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar, Chef Heather Zheng of Shibuya, J
Karaoke Bistro, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Lucky
Foo’s Restaurant & Bar, Mercadito, Monta Ramen, Pot Liquor Contemporary
American Smokehouse, T-Bones Chophouse, Tonkatsu Kiyoshi, Yusho Japanese Grill
& Noodle House and Zenshin Asian Restaurant. Also on-hand was “Top Chef:
Season 12” winner, Mei Lin, who created a private dining experience for guests
in one of Red Rock’s cabanas.
Emcee
Chet Buchanan kept the energy high throughout the night, while local musical
group Franks & Deans energized the crowd with a live performance. The party
continued late into the night with the Official Sake Fever After Party at Hearthstone,
where guests enjoyed complimentary beverages as thanks for their support of the
event.
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| Grand Tasting |
Grand
Tasting
This is the event that the blog attended! What great good and wonderful wine. Half of the fun is meeting different people and comparing the wines. My faves were:
Francis Ford Coppola - Sofia, Rose - (Calif.)
Alluring
and refreshing, our Sofia Rosé is perfect for easy-sipping on a lazy afternoon.
Elegant
blend of Monterey County Syrah and Pinot Noir.
A
lightly sparkling wine with fresh, lively fruit flavors and is refreshingly fruity with bright effervescence and fragrant notes
of passion fruit, pears, honey, and acacia flowers. It’s light and elegant on
the palate and should be enjoyed well chilled at 45 degrees.
Marlborough Estate Sauvignon Blanc Reserve - (New Zealand)
The
bouquet is fresh, tightly concentrated and penetrating with an amalgam of
pungent passionfruit and gooseberry aromas, lifted with subtle tropical fruit
elements.
While not being a beer/ale person this REALLY was delicious and I could see myself drinking more than one on a hot summer day!
Birra
Etrusca Bronze
The
backbone of Birra Etrusca comes from two-row malted barley and an heirloom
Italian wheat. Specialty ingredients include hazelnut flour, pomegranates,
Italian chestnut honey, Delaware wildflower honey and clover honey. A handful
of whole-flower hops are added, but the bulk of the bitterness comes from
gentian root and the sarsaparilla-like Ethiopian myrrh resin.
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| Fleur by Hubert Keller and Burger Bar Bloody Mary's |
Who does not love a flavorful Bloody Mary? This one was perfect! Spicy and fresh with just a hint of Worcestershire sauce...PERFECT! You can go try one at The Burger Bar located in Mandalay Bay.
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| Frankie Moreno |
Italian-American
cook and restaurateur Steve Martorano was the night’s guest of honor as Larry
Ruvo, Michael Severino and Stowe Shoemaker presented Martorano with the Dom
Pérignon Award of Excellence. After receiving the award, complete with a cased
bottle of Dom Pérignon and a chef’s jacket signed by UNLV Hotel College
seniors, Martorano gathered students around the stage and told them to “never
say no” when reaching for their dreams. Following Martorano’s encouraging
acceptance speech, acclaimed musician Frankie Moreno sang Frank Sinatra’s “That’s
Life” to congratulate the honoree.
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| Oysters Rockafeller (so GOOD!) |
“Top
Chef Season 12: Boston” winner Mei Lin showcased her winning snapper dish and
“Chopped” champion Katsuji Tanabe joined UNLV Hotel College culinary students
to create delicious small plates and passed appetizers, such as bacon-wrapped
dates, ahi tuna poke and Oysters Rockefeller. Additionally, Vegas’ favorite
restaurants provided bite-sized portions of their signature dishes,
including meatball skewers from DW
Bistro; foie gras mousse from Andre’s; meatballs and chorizo by Herbs &
Rye’s; JinJu Chocolate’s chocolate truffles and candies; cold-pressed coffee
and ceviche shooters from Makers & Finders Coffee; short rib and bone
marrow agnolotti by Scarpetta/D.O.C.G; a variety of treats made by O Face Doughnuts;
MTO Café’s mini bacon dippers; yellow tail tiradito and a signature bloody mary
from Fleur by Hubert Keller and Burger Bar, personally served by Chef Hubert
Keller himself; and snacks from The Goodwich. “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in
Paradise” contestant Marquel Martin showcased scrumptious confections from his
newly opened business Social Cookie, including the exclusive UNLVino Strawberry
cookie.
Frankie
Moreno serenaded the crowd with his modern jazz hits while guests danced the
night away in between drinks and bites. During his performance, Moreno made
guests swoon with his piano playing and smooth vocal talents. Chet Buchanan
emceed the final night of UNLVino and hosted the event’s live auction, which
brought in thousands of dollars for UNLV’s Hotel College.
A few pointers:
Arrive early as parking really becomes scarce the closer to the beginning of the event
Ladies! Wear comfortable shoes! Lots of walking
Pace yourself! So much to taste and drink
Be prepared to wait in line for tastings, but the lines move quickly.
Bring $$$ for silent auction items. They are amazing!
Enjoy!
About
UNLVino
UNLVino
was cofounded in 1974 by the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the two organizations which continue
to sponsor it today. Over the past four decades, UNLVino has raised several
million dollars for scholarships and other academic developmental needs of UNLV
students. UNLVino is differentiated through unparalleled, hands-on student
experiences at all levels of event planning, execution and promotion, as well
as the impactful funds raised each year – all testaments to the celebratory
weekend’s broader purpose – scholarship. For more information, please visit
www.UNLVino.com and follow UNLVino on Twitter @UNLVino_Vegas.
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