Columnist Muriel Stevens: Delicious weekend on tap in May with national tasting tour

Las Vegas is readying for a weekend of exciting wine and food events that will take place at the Bellagio, Rio and Mandalay Bay May 7-9. For the first time, Bon Appetit magazine has included Las Vegas as one of its stops for its noted national Wine & Spirits Focus tour.

This is the 10th anniversary of the tour. The tour committee was so impressed with Las Vegas hotels and restaurants that we are now slated to be a regular stop for future tours.

The weekend begins with a Grand Tasting at Mandalay Bay on May 7, in which 40 fine chefs will present their best dishes. Bon Appetit has selected more than 100 wines, spirits and micro brews for tasting.

May 8 is devoted to a number of workshops, including sushi-making, caviar and vodka, chocolate desserts and more.

A Millennium Black Tie Dinner and Auction will take place at the Rio that evening. The wine auction will be conducted by Christie's illustrious auctioneer, Fritz Hatton, who will take bids on 10 Millennium Auction lots. Included are some of the world's finest vintages paired with fabulous trips and other luxury gifts. Each auction lot will represent rare wines, trips and gifts from each decade of this century.

Dinner will be prepared by noted chefs from many countries.

This evening will also include a separate Dine Around (food from many restaurants) at premium restaurants at the Bellagio, Mirage and Treasure Island hotels. Wine selection for the special menus were chosen by Bon Appetit Editor Anthony Dias Blue.

Rounding out this adventurous epicurean weekend is a special Sunday Gospel Brunch May 9 at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Bon Appetit's Wine & Spirits Focus events around the country benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill children. A portion of the local Wine & Food Focus will go to the Las Vegas chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The public is invited to attend these events. Full event-weekend packages are available. For ticket information, call (888) 34-FOCUS.

F.I.T. tasting

When the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow hosts its annual fund-raiser at the Bellagio May 7, supporters will be rewarded with an elegant evening.

F.I.T. is devoted to assisting woman and men in becoming self-supporting. The organization supplies business clothes, training sessions and job opportunities that open the doors to a better future.

Dinner committee members gathered recently at one of the Bellagio ballrooms for the delightful task of choosing the menu.

On hand were Banquet Manager Thomas Tazbaz and Catering Director Tom Cook. These gracious gentlemen were there to answer questions and discuss any possible changes. There weren't many.

Executive Banquet Chef Michael Patton and Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe Maury prepared a flawless meal that began with hot and cold hors d'ouvres served from a handsome three-tiered silver tray. Each savory mouthful was a delight. There were at least 10 terrific choices.

A demitasse cup of Maine lobster and roasted corn "cappuccino" won our hearts. The "cappuccino" topping was bourbon-chive whipped cream. We sipped the utterly delicious mix through the foamy topping.

We couldn't decide between a lovely, small tomato tarte or the heavenly creamy polenta with a ragout of wild mushrooms with a white truffle cream, but after many bites -- for research, of course -- the polenta was chosen. An entree of roasted rack of veal was so magnificently presented that it was the obvious choice. A fish alternative and a vegetarian entree will also be available.

Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe bowled us over with the selection of desserts. There were four from which to choose. "Mocha Grande" an edible work of chocolate art on an oversized plate, was dazzling and delectable.

Everything from the table settings to the flowers were gorgeous.

Good deeds and outstanding food. How delicious.

For ticket information, call the foundation at 731-5514.

Short orders

Hawaiian beer bash at Main Street: From 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Main Street Station will host the first Main Event, a micro brew competition featuring brews from Las Vegas and Hawaii. More than 100 hand-crafted brews will be available for tasting. Brewers will compete for prizes in three categories -- Best of Show, Closest to Brewing Specifications and People's Choice. The blind judging will be done by local certified beer judges. The festival will be held at the hotel's south parking lot, adjacent to the Fremont Street Experience. Entertainment and area vendors selling cigars, souvenirs and food are also part of the fun. Tickets are available in advance for $20 at Main Street's main casino cage and at Vons ETM ticket outlets. Buy them at the festival gate and the price is $25. For more information, call 386-4403.

Lobster at Harrah's: Harrah's Fresh Market Buffet is featuring whole lobsters throughout May. The spring lobster celebration is available at the buffet from 4 to 10 p.m. every day in May. For another $4.99 added to the regular $12.99 dinner price for adults (for children under 10, $7.99), diners receive a 1 1/4-pound lobster served New England style, with drawn butter, boiled potatoes and corn-on-the-cob in addition to all the other buffet foods. Additional seafood selections are included. The Asian station has been upgraded and now includes stir-fried roast duck.

New at T.G.I. Friday's: Four new "apprageous" (outrageous appetizers) appetizers have been added to the T.G.I. Friday's menu. A Tex Mex Tower is a trio of appetizers on a tower of plates that includes tostado nachos, quesadillas and the new Fire Bites; Sesame Jack Chicken Strips coated in a sesame breading; Buffalo Chicken Strips -- chicken tenders with a spicy Buffalo wing sauce; and Friday's Fire Bites, battered and fried jalapeno pepper slices. The zesty new appetizers are the ideal go-with for one of the restaurant's heady libations.

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