Yvonne Strahovski at Sugar Factory in Paris Las Vegas.

Actress Yvonne Strahovski from “Chuck” celebrated her birthday at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas last night. The Australian beauty, who stars in the upcoming blockbuster “Killer Elite,” looked stunning in a gold sequined French Connection cocktail dress as she dined with friends at the sweet eatery. The table indulged in macaroni and cheese pops, bruschetta, creamy artichoke dip, pan roasted Pacific salmon and turkey sliders before a round of Patron shots in honor of the beautiful birthday girl.

Strahovski was surprised by a fresh bowl of mixed fruit for dessert, adorned with a birthday candle, as her friends sang her “Happy Birthday” while the stunning blonde smiled and laughed. After dinner, Strahovski took a stroll around the attached retail store picking out a famous Couture Pop and signing autographs for crowds of fans.

Also seen dining in the hot eatery was UFC fighter Zab Judah with his kids ordering cheese pizzas, reality star and rap artist Flava Flav enjoying eggs and bacon and journalist Robin Leach sipping on Tokaji dessert wine.

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Yvonne Strahovski with her birthday cake from Gallery Nightclub in Las Vegas.

Yvonne Strahovski, Cedric Ceballos and R&B legends K-Ci and JoJo, Bell, Biv and DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Toné! and T-Low partied at Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Strahovski, who stars on “Chuck,” was celebrating her 29th birthday at the sexy hot spot with friends. The bombshell blonde looked hot in a gold sequined French Connection cocktail dress as she kept to sipping club soda while her table poured Grey Goose and danced with her girls to the hot tracks all night long. The Australian actress, who stars in the upcoming film, “Killer Elite,” got surprised with a gorgeous birthday cake, presented by Gallery’s costumed feather dancers at her VIP booth and her friends cheered her on as the entire club sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Strahovski partied at the venue until the early morning hours, saying that it was the best birthday she’s ever had.

NBA all-star Ceballos showed his skills off outside the court as he commanded the DJ booth as Gallery Nightclub’s guest DJ for the night. He got revelers pumped, spinning hot tracks like “New York, New York,” “Billie Jean,” and “In Da Club.”

K-Ci and JoJo, Bell, Biv and DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Toné! and T-Low were all in attendance celebrating the Urban Legends clothing line official after-party in an ultra-exclusive VIP booth. The crooners drank Ciroc and Grey Goose as they partied in their secluded spot with multiple beautiful women who couldn’t keep their hands off the performers.

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Pamela Anderson celebrates her birthday at Chateau Nightclub and Gardens.

Pamela Anderson celebrated her birthday at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas in an over-the-top bash hosted by real estate entrepreneur and professional gambler Don Johnson.

Arriving at the luxurious nightlife destination around midnight, the former “Baywatch” beauty showed off her famous assets in a sheer white, lingerie-inspired corset dress and strappy silver heels. Walking the red carpet alongside Johnson, Anderson posed for adoring fans and photographers who gathered to snap photos of the Canadian-born actress who turned 44 July 1.

With more than 40 friends in tow, Anderson and crew took over most of Chateau’s exclusive VIP area overlooking the main dance floor. Champagne flowed and the extravagant party continued into the early morning hours. The group drank Grey Goose vodka and popped several bottles of Ace of Spades Champagne while dancing to sounds by DJ Casanova.

The birthday girl was delighted when Chateau’s French maid cocktail servers, wearing pink “Happy Birthday, Pam” tank tops, surprised the actress with a glittery pink and black, three-tiered birthday cake by Gimme Some Sugar, as the packed house sang “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor.

Also spotted at Chateau on Saturday night was UFC star Chuck Liddell, as well as Public Enemy rapper and reality television personality Flava Flav.

Also walking the red carpet at Chateau on Saturday night was “Chuck” actress Yvonne Strahovski. Wearing a gold sequined French Connection dress, the tall blonde smiled for photographs and signed several autographs for fans before heading next door to celebrate her birthday at Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort.

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A quick shuffling of cocktail glasses, a mix and a shake, and pretty fluids coupled with colorful fruits become the divine concoctions that Zuma bartender Jimmy Barrat de Cecco is known for. Just two weeks ago, the 33-year old barman took fifth place at the prestigious Diageo Reserve World Class 2011 contest for World’s Best Barman, and fourth place in the European and Middle East category. We caught up with Jimmy at Zuma to learn about the competition, how he got involved with Zuma, and the inspiration behind his award-wining creations.

What Led you to your career as barman?

My farther owned a restaurant. As kids we were always playing around with food to try and create something. My grandfather was a bartender so when I got older I started learning how to make traditional drinks from him. When I was 17 I opened up a bar with my father in the south of France but it was more music oriented. I worked there until I met Arjun Waney, the owner of Zuma, who offered me a position at Zuma London in 2006. The job was supposed to be just for one year as a way for me to learn English and improve my bartending skills, but I ended up staying on. Bartending at Zuma really opened my mind.  I was taught how to develop a palate and explore my creative skills. Yet it wasn’t until I came to Zuma Dubai that I began creating drinks on my own and really incorporating my passion into what I make.

What were your biggest influences?

I was initially influenced by the mid-19th century period of the Golden Age of Forgotten Drinks. This was a time when bartending was an aristocratic pastime and also when pioneering American bartender Jerry P. Thomas wrote the 1862 Bar-Tender’s Guide, the first book solely dedicated to drinks published in the United States. I take my roots from this period and try to mix old drinks with a contemporary feel. Knowing the history of the craft is a crucial part of the trade. So I began mixing drinks; sometimes they were good and sometimes they weren’t. The point is that you keep creating until what you make comes out right.

Bartending is not just about drinks. It is about entertaining. A bartender needs to sell the drink. There is a theatrical part to bartending. It is a “bartender art.” It is also about being a psychologist meaning it is important to get a feel of what people want to taste at a given moment. Judging a drink is difficult; it is hard to say if a drink is bad or good because it all comes down to personal tastes. The right hand of a bartender is always the customer.

What do you love most about your work?

I love the creativity and the opportunity I get to entertain. The bar at Zuma is always full which is great because it allows me to continuously put my bartending skills into practice. I love creating and adding to an already successful cocktail list. I also love the challenge of continually developing something new which will prove pleasing to clients.

How does it feel to be one of the top 5 barmen in the world?

The Diageo Reserve World Class competition is not a cocktail competition; it is a bartender competition. It tests your creativity, your capacity to adapt, work under pressure, and perform. The competition took place over four days at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi, India and included six challenges meant to cover all of your skills. For example, for one you are sent to a spice market and you have forty minutes to shop and make a drink. Another challenge featured a food pairing where you need to choose two dishes out of eight and pair them each with a cocktail. There is also the theater section. For this year’s theme you needed to make drinks inspired by a diva. I chose Edith Piaf and her song La Vie en Rose for which I made a pink drink using Johnnie Walker blue. I played Piaf’s music and gave pink tinted glasses to the judges accompanied by a chocolate fondue. A few of the judges even had tears in their eyes due to the sentimentality of the performance.

The competition was really hard. It basically took years of experience and placed them into the span of four days. It is something you need to go through alone. Having the UAE as part of the top five was a surprise for many because it is not a country renowned for its bars. After such an achievement, it is easy to think you have accomplished the most that you can in your career and loose your focus. For me it is important to remain humble and maintain my professionalism. I have more attention on me now that I have won. My reputation is something I need to build on and uphold.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a bartender?

My biggest challenge is that people are so brand-led these days. This means that they are reluctant to try new things. At Zuma, since we’re constantly developing our quality and style, I often have to coax people into trying something different. Yet once they’ve tried it, it is very rewarding to see how they learn to develop their palates. Overall, I’m doing what I love to do and wouldn’t give it up for anything.

What are your favorite drinks to recommend?

The Old Fashion because of its complexity. It really challenges the skill of the bartender and also one’s ability to perform. I also recommend the Cosmopolitan simply because I make a great Cosmopolitan.

What are your favorite non-alcoholic drinks?

Non-alcoholic drinks have gone through an evolution and in the Middle East. They are highly coveted because of the culture. At Zuma, we have an extensive range of cleansers and boosters so-called because the ingredients are natural and fresh while also energizing. My favorites are Norisan made from orange, pineapple, passion fruit and fresh mint; Namakemono made from cucumber, raspberries and apple juice; and Zuma Ice Tea made from green tea, fresh raspberries, blackberries, cucumber, mint, lemon and oranges.

Zuma

DIFC, 04 425 5660

www.zumarestaurant.ae

Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss closes the 30th anniversary performance with his song "Lovely Las Vegas."

“Jubilee!” at Bally’s Las Vegas marked its 30-year anniversary last night with a special show featuring new costumes, a touching tribute to long-time company manager Fluff Le Coque and a special encore performance by Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss singing “Lovely Las Vegas” as he descended the show’s grand staircase appropriately flanked by the stunning showgirls of of the longest-running production show on the Strip.

The milestone anniversary performance was immediately followed by a gala celebration inside the Vendome Ballroom at Paris Las Vegas, featuring the unveiling of “Jubilee!: Last Showgirls Standing, a Photo Essay of Vegas’ Classic Showgirl” by Denise Truscello. The renowned photographer has spent the last few months photographing the “Jubilee!” performers, collecting rare behind-the-scene glimpses of the girls who make up the longest-running show in Las Vegas. Also in attendance was famed costume designer Pete Menefee, who recently designed 20 new costumes for the show’s Titanic Pier scene, which were unveiled for the first time during the 30th anniversary performance.

The iconic and ultra-glamorous showgirl has become synonymous with Las Vegas, and “Jubilee!” proudly stands as the last production show of its kind. Conceived, staged and directed by the legendary Donn Arden, the elaborate retro-glam extravaganza features lavish costumes, dazzling scenery, world-renowned specialty acts, dynamic music, graceful pageantry and, of course, gorgeous showgirls wearing their trademark bright shade of red lipstick.

The grand-scale production numbers of “Jubilee!” are astounding in size and scope. The stage itself is 190 feet in length and 73 feet deep — making it half the size of a football field and 15 stories tall from the bottom of the orchestra pit to the roof. The show contains sequences not found on any other stage in the world, including amazing aerial stunts and memorable scenes such as “The Sinking of the Titanic” (where 5,000 gallons of recycled water cascade across the stage during the “iceberg” scene) and “The Destruction of the Temple by Samson.” The finale, which includes the famous Red Feather Fan number, has remained a show-stopper for the 30-year run.

From beginning to end, “Jubilee!” features 100 different sets and backdrops,100,000 light bulbs and more than 125 miles of wiring. Additionally, 4,200 pounds of dry ice are used every week to create the smoke effects, and 10 pounds of explosives are used nightly in the 50 different pyrotechnical effects.

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Seth Rogen helped a pal celebrate his upcoming nuptials at Surrender Nightclub.

Actor Seth Rogen was spotted with friends last night at Surrender Nightclub at Encore Las Vegas. The funnyman, in town to celebrate with a pal about to get married, partied in a luxurious bungalow where he enjoyed Grey Goose cocktails and Heineken and moved to the sounds of DJ Morten Breum. Rogen and company kept the party going until about 2:30 a.m.

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Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, Chuck Liddell and Cain Velasquez at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas.

Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas welcomed UFC superstars Chuck Liddell, Cain Velasquez, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck on Friday night, in addition to former NBA baller Cedric Ceballos, “Baywatch” actor Jeremy Jackson and “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” actress Katrina Law.

With a NuvaTV “Fight Factory” reality television crew in tow, “Team Zinken” filmed the festivities as they celebrated Velasquez’s 29th birthday at the nightclub.

The group was greeted with cheers as DJ Casanova announced the Ultimate Fighters as they settled into a VIP booth overlooking Chateau’s main dance floor upon their arrival. Drinking Grey Goose vodka, Red Bull and water, the notable mixed martial artists partied with more than 20 friends. “The Iceman” Liddell, joined by his fiancee Heidi Northcott, and Velasquez with wife his Michelle, danced together to such classics as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Montell Jordan’s “This Is How We Do It,” as well as current club favorites like Rihanna’s “Only Girl” and LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem.”

Also seen partying at Chateau on Friday night was former Phoenix Sun Cedric Ceballos dancing with two lovely lady friends while sipping on Ciroc vodka cocktails with orange and cranberry juice mixers. Across the club, “Baywatch” stud Jeremy Jackson was spotted at a VIP table located near the heart of Chateau’s pulsing dance floor, looking handsome in a fitted white T-shirt and jeans while “Spartacus” actress Katrina Law was seen dancing with her fiancee Kevin Andreen.

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UFC Stars Chuck Liddell, Josh Koscheck, Cain Velasquez and Jon Fitch inside Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas.

On Friday night, UFC stars Chuck Liddell, Cain Velasquez, Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch dined at Sugar Factory American Brasserie inside Paris Las Vegas last night while filming for an upcoming reality show, “Fight Factory,” and celebrating Velasquez’ birthday.

The guys enjoyed bruschetta, turkey sliders, pan roasted Pacific salmon, steak sandwiches, tomato basil pizza and Chinese chicken salads. The group capped off their meal with a round of decadent milkshakes and assorted ice cream sundaes.

Liddell proved to be his wife’s true champ when he bought her Sugar Factory’s signature $1,000 Gold Fondue for a sweet ending. After the last drop of chocolate was devoured, the fighters shopped around the attached retail store and each picked up a world famous Couture Pop.

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The sprawling mass of luxurious Miami Beach hotels makes choosing a place to stay in the city a difficult decision. What makes most of them unique is their place in history, a traditional art deco spirit embedded in those originals still standing.

Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach is one of those iconic destinations, combining the spirit of the old with the new. The historic gem, now a Marriott hotel, just received a $220 million makeover, still possessing the modern, yet vintage feel it’s known for.

Open since 1956, names like Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor have walked through its doors.

With breathtaking views from a selection of different rooms and suites, The Eden Roc experience surely captures the beauty of the Atlantic Coast.

Guests can choose to pamper, by indulging in the newly added and first ever ELLE Spa, which includes 18 luxe treatment rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge by the infinity pool, or play, engaging in water sports off the hotel dock or teeing off at the Miami Beach Golf course nearby. Fine dining at the 1500 Degrees restaurant, Cabana Beach Club, and Lobby Bar are all hit spots under the Eden Roc roof. The location also hosts events spanning business meetings to weddings.

The hotel offers several promotions, including an ELLE Spa Package with discounts on treatments, AAA offers, and an Ocean Escape Package, that features an ocean view room with daily breakfast.

Eden Roc Miami Beach’s chic new look comes with an attitude to serve its guests an unforgettable and classic experience that is, The Magic City.

Photos courtesy of: Marriott.com

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When in search of luxury, there is no better place to find it than at the Plaza Athenee in Paris. This historic hotel opened in 1913 and is located on Avenue Montaigne, the ultimate fashion district in Paris. With designer shops from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, this street has become famous as the “avenue of haute couture.” Also located on Avenue Montagine is L’Avenue, an intimate and delicious restaurant from the owners of Hotel Costes. Just steps from all of this, is the Champs Elysees and Eiffel Tower, making the location of the Plaza Athenee centrally positioned in the heart of Paris.

If that wasn’t enough, the Plaza Athenee is also home to the Dior Institut, the ultimate location for luxury pampering. With floor to ceiling screens showcasing the latest Dior runway show, the tone of the spa is set from the moment you walk in. I spent three nights at the Plaza Athenee, and treated myself to some “me time,” an actual spa treatment on the menu at the Dior Institut. In addition to the five treatment rooms in the spa, there is also a relaxation lounge, tea room, steam bath, sauna, and fitness center. The marriage of the Plaza Athenne and Dior brands creates an establishment that is now a landmark in the city, and breathes the true Parisienne essence.

(images sourced from google)

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