In a
town where there are outstanding executive chefs from around the world
presenting their
cuisine at local dining spots, there is a unique cook among them. Steve
Martorano is cooking up a storm unlike anyone has anywhere else in the country.
Martorano, who I proclaim to be “The Cook of the 21st Century” because of his
fabulous presentation and his home-style family recipes, has a unique flair all
his own: He serves as a deejay playing music and videos right from his highly
proficient kitchen!
Martorano found his love for cooking at the age of eight in his parents’ South
Philly restaurant. Martorano’s favorite recipes today are based on the same
family recipes from Cou’s Little Italy, his parent’s restaurant, where they
served homemade gnocchi, shrimp scampi, veal parmesan, and other scrumptious
dishes.
Wow! I
must say that Martorano’s Café at the Rio All-Suites Hotel carries the family
traditions and their homemade desserts.
What’s
unique about his presentation is the way he handles playing old-school artists,
such as the Temptations and Marvin Gaye, while he shows vintage and classic
movies on an array of at least 10 plasma screens located throughout the
restaurant and the adjacent VIP room.
Martorano does all this while conducting the operation of the restaurant with a
staff of seven cooks and posing for photos with celebs, such as Robin Leech and
Jerry Rice. He does all this while never missing one beat.
While
most professionals in the culinary field consider themselves chefs, Steve
Martorano considers himself a “cook.” My guest, Beryl Warren, who has traveled
extensively, was totally enthralled with Martorano and his staff. She and I sat
in Martorano’s private cooking station overlooking the kitchen where his entrees
go for as much as $150. It’s a work of art, the way his cooks prepare an average
of 400 meals per night. It’s definitely a nightclub setting with mood lighting
to enhance the atmosphere in a clean, contemporary decor.
So
what’s not to like watching characters of the old mob, comedy and dramatic
movies, while enjoying patrons singing, moving and rising to dance to old school
music?
It all
would be to no avail without those family recipes. Quite frankly, I’ve never
tasted Italian cuisine of this stature; and I’ve enjoyed many Italian dishes,
but none so scrumptious as those served at Martorano’s Café.
Among
our tasty menu selections, my guest and I partook of the Linguini and Clams,
Traditional Chicken Cacciatore with those thin San Marzano tomatoes, which carry
the Italian government D.O.P. certification. In addition, we sampled the Shrimp
and Scampi dish, and the Veal Parmesan, which was excellent. While we had dined
sufficiently, our wonderful server, Heather, surprised us with the delightful
Cannoli and Apple Walnut Cake.
Martorano, with his vision and accomplishments, is a true example of
persistence, considering that he began running a sandwich delivery service back
in 1981 from his apartment.
Reservations at (702) 221-8279 are suggested and highly recommended due to the
packed house nightly. Plus, Martorano travels between his Las Vegas location and
his original South Florida restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. They serve big
portions at a gourmet price. CSN rates this 10-plus.
The Social Register
Goes Networking
CEO-Owner Clair Zeto of The Social Register of Las Vegas is taking on an added
service—Speed Networking. The Social Register is a private, professional
organization that represents decision makers and movers and shakers of the
Southern Nevada area. Speed
Networking originated in New York City, according to Zeto. The event is where
guests, mainly professionals and entrepreneurs, gather in a group to introduce
themselves around to each other. This is guided by the three-minute rule: each
person must not exceed that time speaking to another guest. Speed Networking
events take place with about 100 participants monthly at the Four Seasons Resort
on the Strip.
As Zeto
explains it, this allows each person to focus on what he or she needs to say in
a short time span, yet in a gracious way. At the end of the 90-minute event,
each participant is expected to have collected numerous business cards from
the new business contacts made.
Another
benefit is that the more introverted guests greatly benefit from Speed
Networking process because it encourages them to open up in conversation,
eliminating the discomfort of feeling pushy or intrusive. Zeto says it develops
multiple skills and focuses a business person’s presentation, and it’s fun. For
more information, call (702) 256-0123 or visit online at www.SocialRegister.com.
Sternberg’s Lunchtime
with Ira
Ira
David Sternberg, a 20-year veteran in public relations and the director of
public relations for the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, has re-introduced “Lunchtime
with Ira,” his half-hour entertainment TV show.
The show
he hosts covers an array of entertainment and community issues and airs on Cox
Cable Channel 4 on Thursday through Saturday at noon and repeats at 8 p.m.
Audiences are welcome at the shows taped at the Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret Lounge.
Riviera’s
Entertainment is Tops
The
Riviera Hotel and Casino on the Strip, former home to legendary greats Sinatra,
George Burns, Liberace and others, is noted in the Las Vegas history record for
being the first to pay headliners big money. Back in the 1950s, Liberace was the
first to get $50K per week. Today,
the resort has “Ice,” a skating spectacular show, as its main production. The
Riviera also has four other shows, including “An Evening at La Cage” starring
Frank Marino, “Crazy Girls,” a sexy-topless show, along with “The Riviera Comedy
Club.” Their latest addition, “The Sopranos Last Supper,” is an audience
participation show based on the old mob days. The
Riviera also has the La Bistro Theatre with the outrageous comedy hypnotist, Dr.
Scott Lewis; Jay White in his tribute to Neil Diamond; “Barbra and Frank: The
Concert that Never Was,” and “An Evening with Dean and Friends.” Call (702)
794-9433 for information.
My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based celebrity
interviewer and media personality. E-mail him at
peteonthescene@yahoo.com or
phone (702) 265-9099.
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