Columnist Muriel Stevens: Menu for 'Fantasy '98' fund-raiser dreamy

The tasting menu prepared by Desert Inn Executive Chef Arnauld Briand and his culinary staff for Lied Discovery Children's Museum's upcoming "Fantasy '98" fund-raiser was a first of its kind. This is the 17th year for the museum's major benefit, and it promises to be better than ever.

Most tastings are of a pre-selected menu. The purpose of the tasting is to fine-tune the menu, making any necessary changes. Leave it to the innovative Briand to put his own spin on the process. The tasting took place in the private dining room in the Monte Carlo dining room.

"We will start with seven soups," the irrepressible chef said. Of course, we all laughed, but he was serious. There were actually only five soups. Rich and unctuous, each was a delight: pumpkin drizzled with pumpkin seed oil; carrot-ginger; wild mushroom with white truffles; and a double chicken consomme with a chiffonade of crepes and a savory lobster bisque, the only one enriched with cream. All of the others were fat-free. We tasted and talked and tasted again before making our decision -- the savory, aromatic pumpkin soup.

Four salads were tasted -- more talk, more tasting. The unanimous decision: a colorful grilled vegetable salad.

Entrees followed. Each of us got a different one, and a platter of additional choices was set in the center of the table for us to taste: Chicken Wellington; Chicken Florentine; chicken in phyllo dough; and filet mignon with assorted sauces. The vegetable variety included potatoes Parisian, pear-shaped potatoes; duchess potatoes; garlic mashed potatoes; and baby vegetables. Our winning choices: the filet with morel sauce and the chicken in phyllo with a pear potato and vegetables.

Desserts from Pastry Chef Alan Gontowski were created around the "Casablanca" movie theme of this year's party. Again, there were many versions. Not an easy choice, but we opted for the scrumptious sampler plate. All of the presentations included "reels" of edible chocolate film. Chocolate "Casablanca" stencils and film scenes marked the plates. Gontowski's version of tiramisu is so decadent it should be outlawed. A mini version is part of the sampler we chose.

"Fantasy '98" will take place at the Desert Inn Oct. 24. You must remember this. The "Casablanca" theme will be carried throughout the event, even the cocktail reception/silent auction. The auction items are smashing.

Co-chairpersons of "Fantasy '98" are Judy Cebulko, Judy Kropid and Dee Snyder. Honorary chair is Claudine Williams. For information about this event or to receive an invitation, call 382-3445. Ask for the Fantasy coordinator. Tickets are $250.

Stratta debuts menu

Tonight, Alex Stratta will debut his first new menu at Melange in the Mirage. Stratta, formerly of Mary Elaine's restaurant in the Phoenician Hotel in Phoenix, is a superb chef. The dinner I attended there recently was outstanding.

Menus will change seasonally and will reflect the best poultry, seafood, meat and game each season has to offer. The current menu features pasta, salad and vegetables ($12-$23), crustaceans, shellfish and seafood ($16-$23) and meat and fish dishes ($30-$39).

A separate menu of desserts ($7.50-$10), designed and prepared by Pastry Chef Christophe Ithurritze, includes a caramelized lemon parfait, a pineapple Napoleon, a crunchy dark chocolate mousse cake and other tempters.

Melange is open for dinner only. Reservations are suggested. In December, Melange will close briefly for redecorating. It will open with a new name -- Alex Stratta's.

Short orders

*Sunset Station rocks

Sunset Station will jump this weekend with the sounds and tastes of "Rock in America." In addition to top-name entertainment, seven past World and National Rib Champions from as far away as Australia will cook up a heap of ribs and barbecue. Events each day (except for the concert by Night Ranger) are free. Prices for the winning ribs and barbecue start at $3. The festivities begin today at 4:30 p.m.

*Emeril visits Prime Cable

Emeril Lagasse, the golden boy of the Food Network, will make a personal appearance at the Prime Cable offices today from 4-7 p.m. Those attending will receive autographed bookplates for his soon-to-be-released book, "TV Dinners." Other Emeril cookbooks will be available for purchase. This is the first of many personal appearances Emeril will make as part of his fall book signing tour. Prime Cable's offices are at 121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. The Food Network is part of Prime Cable's "Value Package" on Ch. 73. Both Emeril shows, "Emeril Live" and "The Essence of Emeril," air daily.

*Garlic Cafe reopens

Former entertainer and longtime Las Vegan Nalani Kele and her spouse, Jesse Jones, have reopened the Garlic Cafe in the Decatur Twain Shopping Center, at 3650 S. Decatur Blvd. Their partner and General Manager Tom Padaca is Nelani's brother. She convinced him to move from Hawaii when she acquired the failed restaurant. Padaca is an experienced restaurateur with years of experience in the hotel industry. "Creating food is an art form," Padaca said. "We wanted to create a restaurant that was unique in its concept towards garlic." The new Garlic Cafe's head chef is Neal Salvino Jr., formerly of Chicago. Prices are moderate. Lunch hours are: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner, Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m. For dinner reservations, call 368-4000.

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