by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Was invited to try out the food and beverages at a new restaurant in Summerlin, Via Brasil Steakhouse, 1225 S. Fort Apache Rd, and left filled to the gullet and feeling no pain. Of course this writer had his trusted designated driver along just in case.

Via Brasil is an authentic Brazilian "Churrascaria," (steakhouse) and let me tell you, the food is fantastic. What is neat about this particular restaurant is that they serve fourteen different types of meats, including "Picanha," (Brazilian cut top sirloin), poultry and fish. Each of the entrees are carved tableside, as well as delicious appetizers and desserts to die for. I asked the executive chef, Cediadro Cambruzzi, to give me an approximation of just how much meat will be served in an average week? He replied with a good guess, "About 5,000 pounds."

The 9,200 square foot restaurant features a large full-service bar, a private room with a projection screen for special functions and corporate events, two beautiful interior waterfalls, and a floor to ceiling wine cellar. It's very spacious, and if every table was in full use, one would still not feel crowded. This new Via Brasil is an extension of the award-winning Via Brasil restaurant in New York City, and the owner has promised to continue its tradition of exceptional cuisine and service.

"We are pleased to bring Via Brasil Steakhouse to Las Vegas and present a taste of Brazilian cuisine and culture to local residents and tourists," Adam Gomes, co-owner of the restaurant, said.

Open seven days a week, Via Brasil serves lunch Monday through Friday starting at noon and is open until 10 p.m., with extended hours until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Happy hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. Reservations may be made by calling 804-1400.

Went back to see one of the best impressionists in Las Vegas, Larry G. Jones, who we reviewed last year. Jones, who is best known as a singing impressionist, does the gamut of singers from, Elton John, Neil Diamond (right on the money), to Cher and a duet between, Nat King Cole, and his daughter, Natalie. During any one performance, which usually runs about 60 minutes, he'll cover around 70 voices, including famous Las Vegas headliners. Making the most of his four octave range, Larry's signature dead-on voices will answer many age old questions like: What happened when the girls (huh, boys) from La Cage went to see the Jersey Boys, or what happened when Tom Jones got too drunk, and does the Phantom wear Depends?

So, should you be casting about some evening and want to see a great, inexpensive show, then the Larry G. Jones Show, at The Royal Resort Hotel, 99 Convention Center Drive, is where you outa be heading. For more information check out Jones' Web site at www.larrygjones.com.

Phillip Fortenberry, is a solo pianist, improvisational composer and assistant musical director of "Jersey Boys." But, Fortenberry, is much more than that, and he shows it, when he sits down at the ivory keys once played on by the legendary, Liberace. Phillip has agreed to present his new intimate acoustic cabaret-style piano performance, "Liberace and Me," for a six-month run through March 23, 2009, at the Liberace Museum on East Tropicana Ave.

The show, which runs about 45 minutes in length, offers a loving respect for the spirit and legacy of Liberace, and the impact he had on Phillip's life and career. From the moment Fortenberry opens the show with, Liberace's signature arrangement of "Chopsticks," while seated at "Mr. Showmanship's," own nine-foot Concert Grand Baldwin (you know it was his with all the glitter), you realize that this moment in time will be very special.

Phillip weaves the music around his own life story and personal journey as a pianist from a small Mississippi town, Hub, to Broadway, to command performances for royals and dignitaries. More than any other person, Liberace, has been a constant in Fortenberry's life. From hearing Liberace on a record and then going to a piano and playing what he had just heard (at age four and never having played the piano previously), to the moment you hear his magnificent rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," it is all very special.

Fortenberry plays the gamut of music (just like Liberace loved to do), from church music such as "Great is Thy Faithfulness," to "Malaquena" to "Getting' Ready Rag" from Ragtime. He does a beautiful tribute to his late friend, Laurie Beechman, who starred in the musical "Cats," and who died from cancer, by playing "Memory," (which brought back a memory of my friend, Robert Goulet), and closed out the show, just as Liberace would do, with "I'll be Seeing You."

"Liberace and Me" is presented in the 75-seat Cabaret Showroom at the Liberace Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. at Spencer. Performance time is 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. For $17.50 per person, it's the place to be. And, let me tell you, this is a show I would enjoy seeing again. For reservations or further information call (702) 798-5595 ext. 14

Well, gang, that's about it once again.

I'm outa here!

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