I hate that stupid “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” slogan. What’s the point of having fun and not sharing?

Yeah, if your trip ends with a dead hooker in your hotel room and a CSI investigation, keep your mouth shut. But too much food, too much booze, poker, David Wells, Jason Giambi, and Mario Batali -- that’s a weekend to blab about.

I was supposed to have this column in on Friday night. I figured I’d get into my room at the Hard Rock, write it and then go get some food, have an early night and wake up fresh for the poker tourney. The best laid plans….
I texted my buddy Joe Bastianich (co-owner of Mario’s restaurant empire) to see if he was in Vegas and it turns out he was. They are opening a new spot, Carne Vino, at the new Palazzo tower in the Venetian and were doing a soft opening. I called my buddy Paul Crook and we headed over for dinner.

The Palazzo is massive. Even by Vegas standards, it’s giant. Carne Vino reflects its surroundings. Beautiful bar, super high ceilings. The main dining room as well, open and huge but nothing gets lost. Joe told me there are more dining rooms off of the main room. With their restaurant B&B literally just a few hundred yards away, it’s a testament to Mario’s power that he can open another place on such a grand scale.

Joe started pouring wine (Bastianich Vespa available at K&L here in LA, killer white) and it was on. I don’t know if it’s a Vegas thing, but the menu was huge. Bigger than Babbo in NY or Osteria Mozza here. There had to be twenty-five antipasti choices, a dozen pasta choices and then the meat. It’s called Carne Vino. There are separate columns for Beef, Veal and Pork. I had the Romana salad with anchovies, the Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare (lobster, shrimp, clams, calamari) and the Veal Marsala. All perfect; all Mario-ized. When you eat Mario’s food you realize why he can have thirteen or so restaurants. It’s just fucking great. No bullshit -- simple, quality ingredients cooked perfectly.

After diner Joe invited us back to the curtained off main room where Mario was holding court. Paul and I joined the crew and spent the next five hours drinking wine and Amaro (it’s basically Italian Jager). Tom Colicchio was there as well so I was in full-on dork mode sitting with him and Mario. Both of them are so cool and down to earth. Tom gave me a bunch of behind the scenes stuff about "Top Chef" which I can’t repeat here under threat of being filleted.

At some point I got up to pee and ended up in a taxi. I could barely speak; the Amaro hit me like a Hatton right.

I made it back to my room and somehow played online poker at Ultimate Bet 'til the sun came up and my head stopped spinning. Fucking Amaro.

I was still drunk when the poker tourney started. It was a charity event hosted by Randy Couture to help injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. One hundred fifty people entered; celebs, poker pros, MMA fighters and the public. David Wells (ex-Yankee) was at my table. I’m a huge Yankee fan and a huge Wells fan. I found it hard to concentrate on the game at first being half drunk and sitting next to one of my idols. He introduced himself and we ended up hanging out til 4 AM. Turns out he was in the same boat as me when the game started so we just started drinking again. What a fucking blast. Ended up meeting up with Giambi later that night and I was in Yankee heaven.

What does this have to do with food? Nothing. We did eat at the new Ago at the Hard Rock and it was very good.

Oh, I made the final table, finished 10th. They raised 100K. Great event.

Until next time, your newly sober friend,
Scott


Scott Ian plays guitar for revolutionary metal band Anthrax and also for Pearl.

Artwork credit: Shepard Fairey