Vegas Popular

She looks fantastic. She dances and sings like a woman half her age. But my long-time friend Suzanne Somers freely admits she's 60 and proud of it!

I've known her and hubby of 37-years, Alan Hamel, since she landed as Chrissie on 'Three's Company,' and we chatted backstage at the Orleans where, in her first appearance in 15 years, she introduced her new nightclub act developed by her Palm Springs neighbor and friend, Hilton headliner Barry Manilow. Suzanne and Alan used to live here on the farm-country outskirts of Vegas, but four-years ago sold the last of their bare acreage here as developers swooped in to expand tract housing. Said Suzanne: "We had horses running through our property. It was a serene life. We had to give it up as roads, lights and traffic signals began to surround us." Today Suzanne is celebrating the success of her 15th book, titled 'Ageless,' and she preaches the gospel of alternative hormone replacement and anti-aging. Suzanne says she feels better as she gets older and thinks she's discovered her own internal fountain of youth without illness. "I'm 60 and I'm cancer free," she declared proudly after her battle with the disease.

Suzanne's Vegas visit coincided with the launch of her newest home-marketing company of Suzanne products. Entrepreneurial women from all over the country came in for a weekend of training sessions to set up home-based businesses selling Suzanne's beauty products, food lines, jewelry, accessories at house parties. Her daughter-in-law Caroline hosted the demonstration food parties and Suzanne conducted the first national training classes. The best-selling author -- Suzanne has 10-million copies of her books in print -- told me: "There is a new science of anti-aging medicine. I'm proof of it. There is a revolutionary approach to achieving the ageless life. In The Sexy Years we introduced millions of women to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The new book is an inspiring approach to reversing the aging process and maintaining a vibrant mentally sharp, sexually active life and at the same time building the body's natural defenses against age-related diseases. Call it an anti-aging Bible. I honestly believe the 2nd half of your life can be better than the first half. I know it because I am living it. Eat correctly, exercise in moderation and use this new approach to health and I think the new medicine offers the greatest defense against cancer, heart attack and Alzheimer's. I proved it for myself"

DINING SENSATION
Quite frankly the guy is a genius! I may well have just discovered the best-kept Vegas culinary secret.Sensi is a dining sensation and executive chef Martin Heirling (left) is a master chef headed for super chef stardom. No wonder top European chefs, Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy are meeting with him in Paris next week hoping to lure him to head up their Asian expansion plans. But MGM executives aren't letting him get away and have given him a new Sensi restaurant in Macau and a deal to run day and night food services at the main residential tower being built at City Center at the heart of the Strip. Finding Sensi is easy, but knowing it even exists is a little bit of a puzzle. You'll find the unknown jewel en route to the Spa Tower at the Bellagio somewhat overpowered by the uniquely carved all-stone appearance with water splashing tranquility everywhere. The restaurant features four distinct kitchen groupings of glass and chrome so diners can check the progress of their meals at any time. Sensi is about the senses of food and taste, and the German born maestro who grew up "down under" in New Zealand , then cooked worldwide before landing in Vegas conjures up an ever-changing menu of delights from Italy, America, the Middle East and all versions of Asian cuisines! He calls it all Contemporary Continental Cuisine with a culinary journey to all four corners of the culinary world. Martin knew as a youngster that he wanted a culinary arts career. He served a 3-year apprenticeship in Germany but 13-years ago at just 23 he joined the Sheraton Hotel family in Auckland. His reputation "down under" slowly spread worldwide and Las Vegas called to open Sensi at the Bellagio. " My new family and my new home" he said proudly. Martin has already been named Las Vegas Rising Star Chef by such influential chefs as Daniel Boulud, Norman Van Aken, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Todd English, Marcus Samuelsson and Bobby Flay. There's an amazing brick oven and a separate wood-fired oven for pizzas! Here are just some of the amazing delights:

* Asian: Thai marinated crab and lobster, Spice Rubbed Chicken in a Clay Tandoor Oven; Roasted Duck in Banana Leaf, Red Shrimp Curry in Young Coconut

* Italian- Artichoke & Ricotta Ravioli, Swordfish Piccata

* American- New York Steak, Veal Porterhouse, Whole Live Lobster from the Tank -- yes pick your dinner! Plus sides of steamed asparagus with zabaglione or stir-fry snap peas in black bean sauce

* Raw- 3 Way Tuna, Oyster Shooters and live Santa Barbara Prawns again that can be plucked fresh from the tank.



To say they are sensational is an understatement. They are ultimate taste-treats: mind-blowingly delicious and dazzling in their presentation. Their precision cooking in the open kitchens is a Vegas Strip spectacular show in its own right! How on earth one has room for the desserts is a miracle- and with Sensi's Chocolate Temptation, Cardamom Crème Brule served in a sweet basil emulsion you will swear you have died and gone to heaven contented that the last meal you ever ate was finally and simply The Best!! Despite all the restaurants I've eaten in here and all the chefs I've met here I'd never heard of Martin or his Sensi palace. Thankfully I found it- and it will now go on my best-recommended list for as long as he is cooking up his unbelievable magic! You simply wont believe it until you try it for yourself, and my advice is simply to tell your waitperson just have the super chef select the entire dinner for you!

STRIP SCRIBBLES

My stranded 'Get me Out of Here' Australian rainforest cast mate, Nikki Zeiring (above) dined on a special tasting menu at Social House before going downstairs to Tangerine to host an autograph signing party. ... Mindfreak magician Criss Angel visited the restaurant for the 3rd time this month! ... Up and coming actress Kaley Cuoco (below) who stars currently on 'Charmed' and previously on '8-Simple Rules,' celebrated her 21st Birthday at TAO with seven of her girlfriends dining in the Asian bistro on Chicken Satay, Chilean Sea Bass and Lobster Wontons. After dinner in the TAO nightclubs VIP section Kaley received a sparkler Birthday celebration from the clubs cocktail cuties and danced the night away on the clubs famed catwalk. ... The Lure ultra lounge at Wynn is set to be replaced with a new club concept titled "Vanity-Original Sin" being brought in from LA by the owners of the hot A-list celebrity crowd club Element.


TONIGHT'S TIP
Pop-royal Prince continues his policy of presenting guest stars at his new 3121 venue in the Rio, so tonight say hello to Corinne Bailey Rae. If you missed gorgeous Angela Chittenden and feature model Rachel Moore last night at PURE you've got a 2nd opportunity to catch their Christmas Snow Bunny Bikini Showcase at Tangerine in Treasure Island.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
The newly renovated Golden Nugget hotel downtown will continue to expand with even more way-out attractions as new owner 49-year-old Tilman Fertitta promises to add more than just his new "Swimming with the Sharks" tank. You'll also join an all-star lineup hitting the party circuit playpens of pleasure plus you decide if aliens really abducted a Flamingo Hotel employee as he revealed under hypnosis.

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