Spago

Spago Cafe

These days, Wolfgang Puck is virtually a household name. You see casual sandwich shops inside malls with his name on it, takeaways inside airport terminals, frozen pizzas, and even a line of cookware.

Some may argue that this well-known chef personality has diluted his name by slapping it onto so many different products.Who was Wolfgang Puck. originally?

Wolfgang Puck initially became famous through his well known and uber popular restaurant Spago in Beverly Hills, which drew lots of stars from the area. Through Spago, Puck really pioneered "California Cuisine" - popularizing dishes such as funky designer pizzas and eclectic pasta dishes. The restaurant has won numerous awards, including the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Service Award and of course, two Michelin stars (one of only three restaurants in LA to have this honor - there are no three star Michelin restaurants in LA).

In 1992, Spago opened up a second location in Las Vegas inside Caeasar’s Palace after the smashing success of the original one. Puck was really the first elebrity chef to come to Vegas. He seriously started a trend. Nowadays, every major casino houses numerous celebrity chef restaurants.

This second Spago has two parts: a fancier sit-down section (in the back) and a “Spago Café” (in the front) that serves more casual and reasonably priced fare.

Having already tried the “fancier” Spago a few years ago with Bryan’s parents, we decided to stop by Spago Café for lunch before we headed out to CES.


The Spago Cafe is in the outer section of the Spago space. You can sit "outside" and face the forum shops (this is what we did). Bread came almost immediately, which is a huge plus when you're hungry! The generously filled bread basket was brimming with several different kinds of bread. I loved the flatbread, although in general I liked all of them.

Hearts of Baby Romaine Lettuce "Caesar"
Creamy Garlic Caesar Dressing, Lavosh-Herb Crouton and White Anchovies

Bryan started with the Caesar Salad, which he thought was only so-so. It was nice that it had anchovies in it. Unfortunately, the dressing and cheese were only average.

Hand Cut Fettuccine
Wild Oregon Mushrooms, English Peas, Arugula, Glazed Shallots and Parmesan-Reggiano

Bryan was super thrilled to see hand cut fettuccine on the menu, so it didn’t take him too long to decide what to order. He was very pleased with the texture of the pasta as well as the flavors of the wild mushroom sauce.This was definitely a solid choice.

Spago Classic Chopped Vegetable Salad
Diced Vegetables: Carrots, Celery, Corn, Green Beans, Red Onion, Radicchio, Cherry Tomato and Provolone Cheese
I opted for the "Spago Classic" chopped salad because I was starting to feel the toll of all our crazy dining in Las Vegas. My stomach needed a break. To be honest, I thought the salad was only OK. Granted, it had a reasonably nice assortment of fresh ingredients. However, at the end of the day, the flavors did not wow me. I found myself muttering, “I think like the salads at The Cheesecake Factory better.”

ANYWAY, the "not-bad-but-not-amazing" dishes coupled with the "higher-than-average-hello-you’re-in-Vegas" prices left me leaving a bit dissatisfied. Perhaps I let price get to me too much. Bryan, who is much more immune to prices and spending in general, is able to be more objective about food quality sometimes because he doesn’t let price bother him as much. Of course, Bryan liked his dish a lot better than I liked mine, so that could explain why he had a much more positive experience than I did.

In any event, Spago Café is not bad, though don’t expect anything close to the quality of what you’d find in Spago proper. Instead, see it as a casual Italian café that serves pretty good food at slightly higher prices than you might expect outside of Vegas.

Spago Cafe
Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109

The Wolfgang Puck Company

Company Information

OVERVIEW

The Wolfgang Puck companies are comprised of three separate brands: Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group; Wolfgang Puck Catering; and Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. (WPW), which includes the fast-casual restaurants and branded products.

• Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group operates a growing number of award-winning fine dining establishments in cities throughout North America.
• Wolfgang Puck Catering provides custom catering services and event planning at selected Wolfgang Puck restaurants, preferred venues and client-designated destinations.
• Wolfgang Puck Worldwide operates and franchises the Wolfgang Puck Bistros, Wolfgang Puck Expresses and Wolfgang Puck Cultural Center Cafes. WPW also licenses Chef Puck’s name for a variety of consumer goods including kitchen wares, cookbooks and food products.

With the opening of Spago on the Sunset Strip in 1982, Wolfgang Puck changed America’s attitudes about food and dining and started a restaurant empire. With an emphasis on using only the finest, freshest ingredients, fusion of classic French techniques with Asian and Californian esthetics and original signature pizza, Spago became an overnight success and Wolfgang Puck was an instant celebrity. Over the years, the Spago phenomenon has been repeated in various locales and Wolfgang’s approach has evolved into a collection of unique fine dining restaurants and concepts. Today, the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group continues to set the standard for exceptional cuisine, exemplary service and exciting style.

Whether you’re the host or director of an event, no matter how many guests you’re entertaining, stress should not be part of the equation. Wolfgang Puck Catering will create a seamless, smooth-flowing, memorable occasion that is a unique reflection of you or your organization. For ten or two thousand, our menu items are prepared to order and the quality is consistently outstanding.

We use the freshest, finest ingredients to provide award-winning restaurant-quality cuisine and service. Our unique combination of restaurant, catering and special event experience makes us the ideal partner from your special occasion. Expect unparalleled expertise, innovation and professionalism from beginning to end.

Our strategic partnership with Compass Group PLC, gives us the stability and versatility of the world’s leading food service organization - a $17 billion company, operating in 96 countries across the globe – and has fed our growth into thirteen markets across the country.

Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. (WPW), a privately held corporation, includes a rapidly growing international franchise of fast-casual Wolfgang Puck Bistros, Expresses and Cultural Cafés, featuring many of Wolfgang’s signature dishes along with innovative menu items. WPW also is the licensing and franchising arm for a line of Wolfgang Puck-branded consumer products; book publishing; television, radio and Internet programming; and other licensing and merchandising projects.

Wolfgang Puck-branded consumer products include a signature cookware collection, Wolfgang Puck All-Natural Pizza, All-Natural and Organic Wolfgang Puck Soups, Stocks and Broths, Wolfgang Puck All-Natural Cooking and Baking Sprays and Wolfgang Puck’s Coffee.

Wolfgang has authored six popular cookbooks, and his weekly syndicated newspaper column, “Wolfgang Puck’s Kitchen,” appears in more than 30 newspapers throughout the United States and Canada, with a combined circulation of more than 5.3 million.

Since 1986, Wolfgang has been a regular featured guest on ABC's "Good Morning America," and his Emmy-winning television series, “Wolfgang Puck,” debuted on the Food Network in 2000 and aired for five seasons.

Wolfgang Puck offered

• Fresh quality of ingredients used
• Fusion style of cuisine
• Fine dining and Casual dining restaurant
• Catering

Woflgang Puck Menu Specialty

1. Wood-oven pizza

• Tomato Sauce, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil
• Wood Oven Roasted Mushrooms, Asparagus, Leeks, Thyme, Taleggio
• Roasted Chicken, House BBQ Sauce, Corn, Pasilla Peppers, Red Onions, Cilantro
• Meatball, Fresh Mozzarella, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Basil
• Prosciutto, Kalamata Olives, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Basil Pesto, Goat Cheese
• Italian Sausage, Roasted Peppers, Mushrooms, Smoked Ricotta, Onions, Parsley
• Spicy Sopressata, Salami Toscana, Pepperoni, Sausage, Red Onions, Goat Cheese, Green Chilies

1. From the charcoal burning grill

• Organic Chicken, Yukon Gold Potato Puree, Sautéed Vegetables
• Calves Liver, Pancetta, Honey-Roasted Pearl Onions, Sage-Balsamic Brown Butter*
• Grilled Prime Burger, Vermont Cheddar, Smoked Onion Marmalade*
• Mesquite Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Blue Cheese Butter, Red Wine Sauce, French Fries*
• 9 oz SRF “American Kobe” Rib Eye Steak, Crisp Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Argentinean Chimichurri

MENU

Dine on Spago classics including Handmade Sweet Corn Agnolotti with Mascarpone, Chino Farms Roasted Beet Salad and Grilled Prime Côte de Boeuf for Two. Or enjoy the daily-changing selections of fish and produce of the season.

• DINNER MENU
• LUNCH MENU
• SAMPLE WINE MENU
• MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH MENU

PRIVATE DINING

Spago Special Events has built a reputation over the years as host for celebrated parties from 12 to 2,500. These have included the Democratic National Convention, the Emmys, and intimate dinners for the President of the United States. Still, our greatest achievement remains the diversity of our clients and the uniquely individualized service that made Spago and Wolfgang Puck world-renowned. Please call the Special Events office to discuss your event needs. We will do everything possible to make your next entertaining experience a major success.

FACT SHEET

Spago Beverly Hills

PRIVATE DINING ROOM FACT SHEET

Spago Beverly Hills Address: 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Contact: Alexandra Pribuss, Director of Special Events
Tel: Special Events 310.777.3711
Tel: Restaurant Reservations (9pp or less) 310.385.0880
Fax: 310.385.9690
Email: alexandra.pribuss@wolfgangpuck.com
Web: www.wolfgangpuck.com

Total square footage:
Private Dining Rooms 1035 sq feet
Gallery 456 sq feet
Main Dining Room 1400 sq feet
Patio 600 sq feet
Private Bar Area 368 sq feet

Capacity:
Private Dining Room 15 to 90 seated, 175 for a reception
with the Gallery up to 125 seated, 250 for a reception
Entire Restaurant up to 250 seated, 550 for a reception

Costs*:
The cost to buy out the entire restaurant will vary.
Lunch menus beginning at $55 per person
Dinner menus beginning at $88 per person
Reception menus beginning at $60 per person
Corkage Service is available for bottles not represented on our wine list. There is a $35 corkage fee per 750ml, with a maximum of three bottles.
Valet parking $8 per car
*Prices are for food only. Beverages, service charge and sales tax will be in addition.

Amenities:
patio (perfect for weddings!), private bar, private entrance, personal staff, exceptional wine list, personal assistance with menus, flowers, décor, specialty linen, entertainment, city permits (if needed)

An event at Spago Beverly Hills promises to be as effortless as it is impressive. The beautiful Patio and Private Dining Rooms of Wolfgang Puck’s most celebrated restaurant are unique in design, full of exquisite detail and extremely versatile. We will work with you to create a perfect menu based on fresh seasonal ingredients infused with the award-winning styles of Executive Chef /Partner Lee Hefter and Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard. Whether hosting a sit-down dinner for 20 or a buffet reception for 500, Spago’s level of service and innovative, world-class cuisine are of the highest standard.

Spago Beverly Hills
Address: 176 North Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Contact: Alexandra Morrall-Pribuss, Director of Special Events
Tel: Special Events 310.777.3711
Tel: Restaurant Reservations (9pp or less) 310-385-0880
Fax: 310-385-9690
Email: alexandra.pribuss@wolfgangpuck.com
Web: www.wolfgangpuck.com

FLOOR PLANS

The Private Dining Rooms at Spago are beautifully designed, full of exquisite detail and extremely versatile. Whether hosting a sit-down family dinner for 15 or a post awards show reception for 550, Spago's superlative level of service and innovative, world-class cuisine are of the highest standard. View Private Dining Floor Plans and Fact Sheet.

• Spago Restaurant Floor Plan
• The Gallery
• Private Dining Room 1
• Private Dining Room 2
• Combined Private Dining Rooms
• Spago Beverly Hills Fact Sheet

PRIVATE DINING

• SPAGO SPRING 2011 LUNCH MENU
• SPAGO SPRING 2011 DINNER MENU
• SPAGO RECEPTION MENU
• SPAGO WINE LIST
• INFORMATION SHEET

Wolfgang Puck Company and Lupo Restaurant comparison

-Wolfgang offered a Fusion style of cuisine while Lupo restaurant only serve a Italian style of cuisine
-No catering management available in Lupo Restaurant
-Fast service than Lupo restaurant

My Friend Tragic Fight With Outsider

On 14th of April 2010 are the day of my friend tragic and unlucky day. It was Wednesday night, he and one of his friend plan to hang out at Sembulan. So he drive on and pick up his friend at Penampang. After he pick up his friend at his friend house, he try to call his other friend who live nearby the Sembulan area. He ask his friend in Sembulan whether or not if he want to follow him hang out and gossiping at the Sembulan area. But then his friend declined the offer because its already pass 11pm. Surely his parents does not allowed him to go out.

After his friend decline the offer, he hung up his cellphone and then drive fast with a loud sound of his music radio to Sembulan. After about 15 minutes of driving from Penampang, they finally arrived at Sembulan. As they arrived at Sembulan, they straight away find a parking. After he park his car, he and his friend then go to cafeteria called Matahari Cafe. As they sit there and ordered their drinks, there was a group of guys sitting nearby from them. The group of guys keep on staring at my friends like they want to have a fight. So as time goes by, a guy go to my friend table and say `Hey you, my friend over there say that you spit on purpose at his shoes.` And so my friend say `Huh?? Since when do I spit on your friend shoes?? You mistaken a wrong person`. After awhile staring at each other the guy then speak again `Where are you from?` and so my friend say `Penampang`. Suddenly the guys choke up my friend neck with his arm and then 6 person of his friend comes and beat my friend up. My other friend tried to help him up but there are 3 person block him from helping. After awhile he got beaten up, the group guys then ran far away from the cafeteria. Luckily my friend does not suffers from broken bones or any kind of severe injury. He just suffer a small bruises on his head and body....

---To be Continued--

101 Dirt Cheap Ways to Enjoy Yourself

Sometimes we just need to kick back and enjoy ourselves. What follows is a list of 101 simple pleasures and enjoyable activities to explore without breaking the bank. This list only skims the surface… the possibilities are endless.

1. Check out a book from the library and read the afternoon away.
2. Break out the old mix-tapes and mix-CDs of yesteryear… soak up the memories and sing your heart out.
3. Picnic in secluded areas.
4. Bake and eat homemade cookies.
5. Start a blog.
6. Hike outdoors and explore Mother Nature.
7. Head downtown with a friend and two digital cameras. Shoot as many funny and interesting photos as you can. Then go home and sort through them all.
8. Find old stuff in your attic, put it up on eBay and watch the bids role in.
9. Play old-school board games like Monopoly and Scrabble.
10. Read interesting articles online… Reddit, StumbleUpon, Digg, Metafilter, etc.
11. Brew a fresh pot of coffee (or tea) and share it with someone over an interesting conversation.
12. Take a candlelight bubble bath.
13. Learn to play guitar (or any musical instrument) online.
14. Go swimming.
15. Crank up the tunes, break out the Wii and invite some friends over.
16. Fly a kite.
17. Research and discover new bands and musicians similar to the music you already like.
18. Stargaze.
19. Re-watch a great movie you haven’t seen in years.
20. Host a long night of $10 Texas Hold’em Poker with 9 of your friends. Make sure you understand poker odds.
21. Learn to play other card games too… especially Spades!
22. Find and pick beautiful wild flowers.
23. Test-drive a really expensive car.
24. Drink cheap beer and share funny stories with your friends.
25. Fire up the backyard BBQ.
26. Browse around thrift stores.
27. Take a moonlight stroll holding hands with someone you love.
28. Make a pizza pie from scratch.
29. Craft some artwork.
30. Write poetry.
31. Eat fresh strawberries sprinkled with sugar.
32. Go camping.
33. Take an easy, breezy bike ride.
34. People-watch in high traffic areas.
35. Build a backyard bonfire and roast marshmallows.
36. Feed small wild animals… like geese, squirrels, etc.
37. Rent 3+ funny movies and host a funny movie marathon.
38. Happy Hour! …but only if it’s a really good deal.
39. Hit up local carnivals, zoos, museums and weekend festivals.
40. Prepare a big ice cream sundae or a banana slit and share it with someone special.
41. Massage her feet if she promises to massage yours.
42. Share an interesting, true story with someone.
43. Go canoeing or kayaking (if you can find a local establishment with cheap rentals).
44. Sit lakeside and skip rocks across the water.
45. Watch the sunrise and sunset.
46. Organize a sports game with your friends. Touch football, anyone?
47. Tailgate and attend a local college sporting event.
48. Learn cool magic tricks online.
49. Master a new simple skill you’ve been meaning to learn.
50. Go bowling on discount bowling night.
51. Dance.
52. Create and maintain a square foot garden.
53. Watch old home movies or look through old photo albums.
54. Create a digital video highlight reel of all your favorite digital photos and video clips.
55. Go fishing.
56. Visit model homes to get simple DIY decorating ideas.
57. Play Catch Phrase or Charades.
58. Spend a day surfing or boogie-boarding… if you live near the coast.
59. Host a water-gun war with water-balloon grenades.
60. Remember, really long Slip ‘N Slides never get old… especially when they end in a pool of water.
61. Pick fresh fruits and veggies at a local pick-your-own fruit / vegetable farm.
62. Try letter-boxing or geocaching.
63. Dream an afternoon away in your cozy bed.
64. Host a paper airplane distance competition.
65. Learn new jokes online and share them with friends and family.
66. Go rollerblading.
67. Get to a peaceful, scenic location and stare off into the distance.
68. Hit the magazine rack at the local book store (just don’t buy any).
69. Hmm… #69. Umm… Sex?
70. Host a wine tasting party where everyone brings a cheap bottle of wine.
71. Challenge someone to an exercise competition. Choose 10 simple exercises and see who can go the distance.
72. YouTube
73. Take on a small DIY woodworking project and build something.
74. Play Twister.
75. Call an old friend and catch up on things. Use your night and weekend minutes.
76. Climb up a large oak tree, hang out and think (not too high).
77. Host an outdoor egg toss competition.
78. Learn to juggle.
79. Explore a local college campus.
80. Plan your next vacation.
81. Look at the current ingredients in your cupboard, find some recipes online and cook a feast (or something simple) you’ve never made before.
82. Karaoke anyone?
83. Attend a local college Improv comedy show.
84. Put together a framed photo collage.
85. Give a cat some catnip.
86. Wink at complete strangers in a busy public setting.
87. Play with puppies at the local pet store.
88. Give people unexpected compliments and watch them smile.
89. Make a rope and tire swing.
90. Go sledding or play in the snow.
91. Clean the bed sheets, make the bed, and snuggle into the freshness.
92. Relax outdoors on a sunny day.
93. Reminisce about old times with your closest friends.
94. Take a short jog and a long relaxing shower.
95. Stretch.
96. Watch children play.
97. Eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
98. Give someone you love a long hug.
99. Cuddle with your partner.
100. Pillow fight!
101. Make your own list…

LIFE IS SHORT. SO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY YOURSELF TO THE FULLEST BEFORE OUR LIFE TIME ENDED!!!

Punk Rock

What Is Punk Rock??

Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed the perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock. They created fast, hard-edged music, typically with short songs, stripped-down instrumentation, and often political, anti-establishment lyrics. Punk embraces a DIY (do it yourself) ethic, with many bands self-producing their recordings and distributing them through informal channels.

By late 1976, bands such as the Ramones, in New York City, and the Sex Pistols and The Clash, in London, were recognized as the vanguard of a new musical movement. The following year saw punk rock spreading around the world. Punk quickly, though briefly, became a major cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom. For the most part, punk took root in local scenes that tended to reject association with the mainstream. An associated punk subculture emerged, expressing youthful rebellion and characterized by distinctive styles of clothing and adornment and a variety of anti-authoritarian ideologies.

By the beginning of the 1980s, faster, more aggressive styles such as hardcore and Oi! had become the predominant mode of punk rock. Musicians identifying with or inspired by punk also pursued a broad range of other variations, giving rise to post-punk and the alternative rock movement. By the turn of the century, pop punk had been adopted by the mainstream, with bands such as Green Day and The Offspring bringing the genre widespread popularity.

The 7 deadly Sin

The Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the Capital Vices or Cardinal Sins, is a classification of the most objectionable vices that has been used since early Christian times to educate and instruct followers concerning (immoral) fallen humanity's tendency to sin. The final version of the list consists of wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. The Catholic Church divided sin into two principal categories: "venial sins", which are relatively minor and could be forgiven through any sacramentals or sacraments of the church, and the more severe "capital" or mortal sins. Mortal sins are believed to destroy the life of grace and create the threat of eternal damnation unless either absolved through the sacrament of Penance or forgiven through perfect contrition on the part of the penitent. Beginning in the early 14th century, the popularity of the seven deadly sins as a theme among European artists of the time eventually helped to ingrain them in many areas of Catholic culture and Catholic consciousness in general throughout the world. One means of such ingraining was the creation of the mnemonic "SALIGIA" based on the first letters in Latin of the seven deadly sins: superbia, avaritia, luxuria, invidia, gula, ira, acedia.

Biblical Lists

In the Book of Proverbs, it is stated that "the Lord" specifically regards "six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth." namely:

• A proud look
• A lying tongue
• Hands that shed innocent blood
• A heart that devises wicked plots
• Feet that are swift to run into mischief
• A deceitful witness that uttereth lies
• Him that soweth discord among brethren

While there are seven of them, this list is considerably different from the traditional one, the only sin on both lists being pride. Another list of bad things, given this time by the Epistle to the Galatians, includes more of the traditional seven sins, although the list is substantially longer: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, "and such like".

My favorite guitarist SLASH

Who is SLASH??

Saul Hudson (born 23 July 1965), better known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician.[2] Best-known as the former lead guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he performed and recorded between 1985 and 1996, he later formed the eponymous Slash's Snakepit and co-founded Velvet Revolver with his former bandmates Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. His debut solo album, Slash, was released in April 2010. Slash has received critical recognition as a guitarist. In August 2009, Time Magazine ranked him #2 on its list of the "10 Best Electric Guitar Players of All-Time". He was also ranked #21 on Gigwise's list of the "50 Greatest Guitarists Ever".

Slash are the reason why i am playing guitar. The first ever song i heard Slash shredding the notes of the guitar are Sweet Child Of Mine played by the band Guns N Roses. He played the solo lead wonderfully that blew my head away by its sound. The way how he played the guitar are different from other guitarist because the way how he harmonized the sound of its solo lead are very catchy and marvelous!!