Congratulations to the Nevada Restaurant Association for hosting yet another smash hit 'Epicurean Affair' last week. The 17th annual installment was held at the Flamingo pool for the second year in a row giving 'The Big Flamingo' (a.k.a. Flamingo president Don Marrandino) a chance to spread his wings with another well executed event. With each passing year, The Epicurean Affair cements itself as one of the premier annual events in a city with a lot of them.

We wanted to wish a happy birthday to two longtime Eye friends; transportation czar Alan Waxler and former Hard Rock executive Lou Carrier.

In response to Tony Fisher's departure (see Dos Scoop above) to operate the Dos Caminos Las Vegas expansion, Strip Steak has named Brad Bitterman as the outlet's new general manager. Bitterman had served as the outlet's assistant general manager while working under Fisher.

With the concept for the Maxim Magazine Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip having gone bust, Dennis Publishing has turned its hotelier gaze to the Dominican Republic. Reports have the publishing company joining forces with real estate developer Frederick C. Elliot to build two luxury driven 'Maxim Bungalows' properties, one on the north coast of the island and another on the south coast. The Vegas project officially died when MGM Mirage picked up the parcel of land where the project was intended to launch a few weeks back.

Now that the path has been cleared for Aussie mogul James Packer to set down in Las Vegas, he's wasting no time already announcing plans for a second Sin City project. This one, The Crown Las Vegas, will occupy 27-acres on the north side of Las Vegas Boulevard, neighboring the upcoming Fontainebleau Resort. While he hasn't officially applied for a gaming license, the only hurdle was thought to be a joint venture in Macau with son of monopoly man Stanley Ho, since Ho's daughter, Pansy, landed a gaming license in partnership with MGM Mirage, common thought is that it won't be an issue for Packer either.

Word from behind the bar has world renowned flair bartender Christian Olden, who ply's his craft at Caesars' Shadow Lounge, preparing something special for the upcoming Flair Championships. Something about aerial tricks being used for the first time ever in competition…

Congratulations to Vegas Eye pal Seth Rogan who launched the new Judd Apatow blockbuster 'Knocked Up' this past weekend. If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out. 'Knocked Up' opened with a $30 million weekend, $7 million more than Rogan's last flick, 40-Year Old Virgin, which went on to cross the $100 million marker. Congrats Seth, it's nice seeing a good ole Canadian kid doing so well!