Columnist Muriel Stevens: Don a delicious Mask of sushi at the Rio

A gorgeous catalog of sushi awaits all who dine at Mask in the Rio Hotel.

Mask is one of two Asian restaurants at the Rio. Fortunes, the newest addition to the Rio, features authentic Chinese cuisine in elegant surroundings. Mask is a delightful mix of Chinese, Japanese and Thai.

Just recently, a super sushi bar was added. The sushi bar has replaced one of the faux rain forests. What makes Mask's sushi bar special, in addition to the sushi, is the marvelous sushi menu that is at once a primer on sushi as well as a prime souvenir. Eventually, the handsome piece will be sold at the gift shop. For now it is available to anyone who dines at Mask.

Included is the history of sushi, making sushi at home, an introduction to sashimi and chirashi and extensive descriptions of the various kinds of sushi and hand rolls.

There's even a Rio home sushi kit for sale in the restaurant ($39.95). The kit includes wasabi powder (Japanese green horseradish), pickled ginger and a rolling mat.

Reading about the sushi kit brought back memories of my own sushi-making attempts. My mat and kit came from Sears in Honolulu. I was spending the summer on the island studying Japanese cookery and vegetable carving and pu pu making (Hawaiian appetizers).

Sushi was a newfound love introduced to me by two school boys I met at the beach. Their Japanese cook made sushi for their lunches and they shared it with me. It was a natural progression to try to make my own.

Mask's price for rolled sushi ranges from $4.50-$6.50. Since the raw fish used for sashimi and the other raw fish dishes must be of the highest freshness and quality, expect to pay more for sashimi and nagirizushi (raw fish atop sushi rice). Sashimi assortments of nine to 17 pieces are priced at $12.95-$21.95. Nigiri prices are $3.75-$5.50.

Sushi is not exclusive to the sushi bar. Order it in any part of the restaurant. Prices are not included in the sushi guide. They are listed on the sushi card you mark with your order.

The sushi menu also includes salads and small side dishes, ideal summer fare.

Mask's hours are 5 to 11 p.m., daily. Reservations accepted, but not required.

New Gatsby's menu

Gatsby's at the MGM Grand has a new summer menu featuring a number of dishes created by Chef Terry Fong.

Fong has added a number of dishes showcasing fresh fruits and vegetables.

A baked pear salad ($10) includes a phyllo-wrapped pear and Roquefort cheese on a bed of oak leaf lettuce. An intensely nutty roasted walnut and pumpkin seed vinaigrette is a fine complement.

Jumbo asparagus ($12) are poached and accented with yellow and red bell peppers, wild mushrooms and a truffle coulis (sauce). A soup of roasted carrots ($7) is enhanced with cardamom and ginger.

Chef Terry creates a new dish every day with farm-raised abalone (market price).

Other specialities of the house are Kobe beef from Japan, grilled ostrich and seared ahi tuna with a sesame seed crust.

There's no question that Gatsby's is a pricey restaurant, but the six-course wine dinners give a lot for the money. The next dinner is July 29. Gatsby's will join with Lee's Discount liquor for the $75 all-inclusive dinner.

The event begins with canapes and Cava, Montsarra Brut NV at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30.

Included are a terrine of lobster, sea scallops and salmon wrapped in grape leaves; poached squab stuffed with foie gras and Perigord truffles; a "beggar's purse" filled with braised oxtail served with grilled baby artichokes and caramelized onions; an intermezzo; an entree of potato-wrapped lamb chop and beef medallion and a decadent dessert named Chocolate Oblivion.

The five wines presented by Gatsby's sommelier Luis de Santos are Bartholomew Broadbent wines from Portugal.

Reservations are requested in advance. Call 791-7337 after 3:30 p.m.

Short orders

* Silverton celebrates

Silverton hotel-casino is hosting a series of events in honor of its first anniversary. Now through the end of August, every Thursday is Luau night. The luaus ($9.99) take place poolside from 5 to 9 p.m. Included are a Hawaiian buffet with mahi mahi and roast pig, a free pina colada and an entry for the luau drawing. Three cruises will be given away each week (winners must be present). Silverton's All-American Birthday Bash ends Sept. 7. For a full calendar of events, call the hotel.

* New restaurant at LV Hilton

The Las Vegas Hilton has closed the Barronshire restaurant. Opening July 28, in the newly refurbished Barronshire location, is a new seafood restaurant, The Reef. Featured on The Reef menu are fish and seafood of every description as well as prime filet. Award-winning LV Hilton Executive Pastry Chef has come up with a menu of new desserts bearing such briny names as starfish, turtle and Hawaiian conch. Advance rumors say the caramelized bananas over creme brulee is a treat not to be missed.

* Sunset Station promotes

Dawn LaGuardia has been promoted to Food and Beverage Director at Sunset Station. She was formerly the assistant. This longtime Las Vegan held several food and beverage positions at the Sands Hotel and was the maitre 'd of the Xanadu restaurant until it closed. She was named Model Maitre 'd by the Las Vegas Maitre 'd Association in 1996, one of the few women to achieve the honor.

* New MGM Grand Buffet

MGM Grand debuted its new MGM Grand Buffet last week at an invitational party that included a very noisy appearance by robust entertainer John Pinette. Pinette is best known for his "buffet" routine. The new buffet is very pretty, but needs a little fine-tuning. Having similar ethnic foods placed together would be a good start. The selection of foods at the opening included Korean-style barbecued short ribs. Food selections rotate, but the ribs are worth asking for.

* Meeting at Chin's

The Asian Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon meeting July 23 at Chin's in the Fashion Show mall. Guest speaker is Somer Hollingsworth, President and CEO of Nevada Development Authority. The price to attend is $15 for members; $18 for non-members. For reservations, call 737-4300.

* Pasta cooking class

The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Dept. will sponsor a pasta class, "Cooking Light With Pasta," Aug. 1, at the Black Mountain Recreation Center. The Center is at 599 Greenway Road. The cost is $15, plus an additional $5 for supplies. For registration and additional information about other cooking workshops, call 565-2880.

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