BravoTV / Trae Patton
Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 | 3:07 p.m.
The Carnivale du Vin brought together many of the top chefs in the country: Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Bradley Ogden… most of the big names were at the Venetian this weekend.
The Sun caught up with eight of the culinary heavyweights and asked them eight questions, including their take on their signature dishes, restaurant trends, favorite kitchen gadgets, and what they would have for dinner if they had just one last supper to enjoy.
Chef #7: Nancy Silverton
How many restaurants do you currently have?
I have two restaurants (Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza, both in LA) and just opened a to-go, so two and sort of a half of one.
What would you say your signature dish is? What defines you as a chef?
Our fennel sausage pizza. I mean, that was the first pizza that I knew I wanted to do at the pizzaria.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
I had such a great breakfast and that's because I went to Bouchon for brunch. I had soft-scrambled eggs with boudin blanc sausage and sautéed spinach. It was so good.
What is your favorite food-related trend right now?
Value. It doesn't mean cheap, overly-filled plates or anything like that. It just means being satisfied by the total experience, the food and the service.
What would you have at your last supper?
I would definitely have a big green salad and a rare, well-seasoned steak.
Who would cook it?
I think Matt (Molina), who's the chef at Osteria (Mozza). He knows how to season well, and cook it rare enough for me.
What is your favorite Vegas-based restaurant (other than your own)?
I have to be honest, I haven't been to that many. Brunch today (at Bouchon) was extraordinary, and when I come here I usually go between B&B and Carnevino.
What's your favorite kitchen gadget?
My mortar and pestle. It's not really a gadget.
Next Chef: Mark Tarbell
Jump to: Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Bradley Ogden, Kerry Simon, Sammy Hagar, Nancy Silverton, Mark Tarbell.
In the spirit of Venice, The Venetian is a little piece of romantic Italy right here in Las Vegas. The Venetian is an "all-suite" hotel, with rooms accented with plush linens and Italian marble. The 4,027 suites are divided into two towers: The 36-story Venetian Tower that offers guests a taste of luxurious Las Vegas and the Venezia suites, which guarantee 12 floors of high-end elegance. The top five floors are the hotel's highest level of luxury with its private access, concierge lounge, upgraded features and even a dedicated staff.
Entertainment at the Venetian includes shows such as Tim and Faith - Soul2Soul, featuring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Rock of Ages.
The flagship of Venetian nightlife is TAO, an ultra-hip nightclub located inside of TAO Asian Bistro. V Bar is The Venetian's super smooth ultra lounge, made by the owners of New York City's club Lotus and Los Angeles' super swank Sunset Room.
The Venetian features 19 restaurants including Thomas Keller's award-winning French restaurant Bouchon, Mario Batali's B&B Ristorante, Aquaknox for fresh seafood and the 42,000 square foot TAO Asian Bistro. There's also the food court inside the Canal Shoppes for those looking for a quick bite.
Guests can float along The Grand Canal Shops in an authentic Italian gondola ride and pass stores like Burberry and Kenneth Cole along the way. And if you haven't caught a real celeb, on the street in Vegas, you can head over to Madame Tussauds to check out a wax version.