by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

What a week this writer has had. It started out with only one item on the agenda and that was for Vinnie Favorito at the O'Sheas Casino on the Las Vegas Strip Friday evening. Then we were invited to partake of some fabulous servings Tuesday at the new Strip House at Planet Hollywood, with an invite to catch The Scintas at the Hilton Wednesday night. This was followed with yet another invite - a birthday party Thursday for Steve Sorrentino. So, gang, we will report in order of attendance.

This reporter had not been in the new Planet Hollywood since it changed names. So upon turning the Camaro over to valet, we were taken aback with the new décor and remodeling of the casino floor. Wow, what a difference! It is beautiful inside and very modernistic. We rode the escalator to the mezzanine level where the Strip House was located. Another wonderful surprise: the décor is ultra-retro with the walls done in dark wood with red wallpaper and mirrors displaying photos from another time. Music is piped throughout but you hardly notice it - which is nice.

We were greeted by General Manager Dave Gonzales, who made sure we had a great table. Ben Grosse of Chicago was assigned to be our waiter for the evening and what an excellent choice that was. I selected tomatoes and red onion with sweet basil and tomato water vinaigrette ($15) as an appetizer. It arrived in a bowl made of thinly sliced cucumbers - which was really neat. My lady, Nancy, had a mixed baby green salad ($10) with a sherry vinaigrette dressing. Both were excellently presented and the dressings were especially tasty.

Of course we had a very nice California Chardonnay as our wine of choice throughout the meal. We both ordered Filet Mignon ($44) as our main course. Nancy had a huge serving of steamed broccoli ($9), while this writer had a great baked potato ($9).

We ended the evening with Grosse recommending a 12-tiered Chocolate cake along with coffee and Irish Cream. It was a fabulous evening of fine dining without the feeling of being rushed. Both our waiter, Ben Grosse, and the general manager treated us like we were celebrities. But, to be honest with you, I watched how others were being treated and it appeared to me that everyone is made to feel like royalty. I highly recommend a visit to The Strip House for a great dining experience.

The Scintas are back home where it all started for them in Las Vegas - the Hilton Hotel and its Shimmer Cabaret room. It was seven years ago that the then unknowns took a shot at entertaining a tough Las Vegas audience. This writer did a major article on the group after a couple months (they quickly became the talk of our little village) and I got a good insight as to their personalities. They went on to headline their own room at the Rio Hotel for a number of years (continuing to appear each year in some very special-to them - rooms across the country). And now they are back exactly where they belong. And, gang, they are better than ever!

For once the show actually has a title that fits: "Laugh Out Loud with the Scintas (LOL)" is an exciting new blend of entertainment from the group we have honestly enjoyed over the years. It is a non-stop action-packed mix of music, comedy and impressions that will literally leave you exhausted from LOL. And, you know what, they are happier than ever and it shows in their performance. Brothers Joe and Frank are having fun again. Sister Chrissi is trying new things - attire and songs. The "Irish Scinta" Peter O'Donnell has more to do and is happy. All four are "Happy Campers" once again.

What is so neat with The Scintas is that the typical Scinta show is, in reality, not typical at all. So, here again, I personally recommend that you plan on visiting one of the funniest musical groups in Las Vegas, the Scintas. Show times are 9:30 p.m., with a special Monday matinee, 2 p.m., and they rest on Thursdays. Tickets are priced at $49.99 and $64.99 plus.

Vinnie Favorito is without question the young Don Rickles of stand-up "Insult" comedy. Favorito's act is comprised of finding strange people in the audience and not letting them get away. Like the evening we were there, a lady sitting in front wouldn't tell him her name. She became target number one the rest of the evening (as were many others). One lady was asked what was the name of her air conditioning company in Phoenix, Az (she was the president of the company)? She didn't know. Well, that opened another door. Another lady was asked what kind of a company she worked for and the reply was "low voltage." Another door was opened. Like Rickles, Vinnie opens with a set number of jokes and within minutes is opening those doors to the minds of his audience. From that moment to the final second it's insult time. He loves picking on the Mexicans (and they laugh right along with him) as he does with other racial types, be they black, yellow or brown. He has no favorites and it shows - he loves finding an Arab type since he opens the show with a question: "Are there any terrorists in the audience tonight?" When he finds one "oh, my, God, its Barney lock the barn door time." Favorito is in seventh heaven.

We have known this very funny guy since he first appeared in Las Vegas in the early '90s. And like a fine wine aging in the cellar, Vinnie Favorito just gets better with age. Another great show to go see. Show times are 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with tickets priced at $41.80 and $51.80 plus.

Oh, yeah, and for those of you planning any special events or parties through the remaining weeks of the year, please remember my very special friend, Nancy Barr, who is one of the top physics in the country. She's available for private parties and special events. To contact her, just send me an e-mail and Nancy will get back to you.

That's about it for yet another thrilling week of news.

I'm outa here!

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