Miss USA Alyssa Campanella surprises 10 contestants after their Gordon Ramsay Steak dinner with her sticky toffee pudding.

On Friday night, reigning Miss USA Alyssa Campanella traded her sash and crown for Gordon Ramsay’s chef coat as she made the acclaimed chef’s signature sticky toffee pudding at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Paris Las Vegas under the direction of chef de cuisine Kevin Hee.

Meanwhile, 10 Miss USA contestants enjoyed a decadent four-course meal including the girls’ favorites of beef Wellington, Caesar salad with Scotch eggs and pork belly. Near the end of the dinner, the double doors of the private dining room opened to reveal the surprise guest Alyssa Campanella holding the sticky toffee pudding she made, which the 11 girls quickly dug into along with a spread of other desserts.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Benny Benassi at Marquee

Kaskade made his way to Marquee Nightclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Friday night to catch Benny Benassi on the decks, followed by young phenomenon Madeon, who wowed the veteran DJ.

Also spotted at Marquee with Kaskade were Reggie Bush of the Miami Dolphins and Shaun Phillips of the San Diego Chargers. DJ Cedric Gervais was seen checking out the rest of the DJ talent as well.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Trey Songz on the red carpet at Tao.

Memorial Day weekend festivities continued at Tao at the Venetian on Friday night when Trey Songz hosted a party that drew a huge crowd and notable names. The singer/songwriter fueled up for the night with dinner at Tao Asian Bistro before heading up to the sold-out nightclub.  Taking over a VIP table on the stage, he wasted no time, grabbing the mic and treating the crowd to a surprise performance of his hits, backed by DJ FIVE. Songz even dropped his new unreleased single, a collaboration with TI, for guests.

Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent were spotted taking in the scene and chatting with Songz.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Meagan Good, Robin Antin and Pussycat Dolls on the red carpet.

“Act like a Pussycat Doll, think like a man” was the theme of last night’s adorable guest Pussycat Doll performance by Meagan Good, star of the hit movie, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.”

The stunning actress and bride-to-be celebrated her bachelorette party by making a long-time dream come true with the performance, and 20 of her closest family members and friends were there to cheer her on at Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon inside Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort.

The bachelorettes dressed like Pussycat Dolls for the special night out. Pussycat Dolls creator, Robin Antin, she faced a first-time challenge in dressing a guest Pussycat Doll who is about to marry a preacher. “We covered Meagan up a little more than our past guest Pussycat Dolls,” said Antin. “But, she is so stunning that it didn’t matter.”

Good’s Pussycat Doll advice? “Be true to who you are.” The self-proclaimed goofball said it’s sexiest just to be yourself; and that quality is something she felt she brought to her character in the movie as well as to her performance in the Pussycat Dolls.

To congratulate Good on her upcoming nuptials, the Pussycat Dolls and Antin presented Good with a stunning three-tier burlesque-themed red velvet cake. Good picked up the cake and bit into it for the cameras, just moments after shooting photos and videos of the elaborate cake for herself.

Before changing for her performance, Good wowed on the red carpet in a white full-length gown by BCBG. “I think my future in-laws wanted to see how I would look in white,” joked Good, who noted her future mother-in-law helped pick out the dress. The ever-stylish Antin wore a black leather dress by The Row paired with nude Christian Louboutin pumps.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Gabe Saporta performs at Pure Nightclub.

On Friday night, Pure Nightclub kicked off the highly anticipated Memorial Day weekend with a special live performance by Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship.

Guests were in for a real treat as the lead singer entered the nightclub along with band members Victoria Asher, Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton and prepared to shoot a music video for the bands newest single “#1 Nite.” Joined by a gorgeous entourage of 20, the group took over the main stage and settled into their VIP booth.

Around 1:30 a.m., the singer got on the mic and welcomed partygoers to Pure. As cameras cued to shoot, Saporta began his performance with the hit “Good Girls Go Bad” accompanied by key artist and vocalist Asher. The energy of the crowed soared as the duo jumped and danced around on stage.

Leading into the second song “#1 Nite,” Saporta welcomed the featured artist Kay to the stage. The adorable blonde hopped on the mic and joined Saporta as they showcased their new single for the nightclub. The duet was a sight to see as their flirtatious energy filled the room while dancing around one another. The couple surprised the audience as they ran into the middle of the dance floor and made the reveling guests a part of the music video.

Saporta and Asher closed the performance with “You Make Me Feel.” The singing heartthrob had the entire club on their feet and singing along as he reached the mic out to the audience giving them the opportunity to show off their singing skills. “Thank you, Vegas!” Saporta shouted as he ran up and down the stage giving high fives to his admiring fans.

The band and their entourage spent their evening celebrating a successful video shoot and performance as they drank and danced into the early hours of the morning.

Also spotted dancing the night away was Carson Kressley, host of Las Vegas’ newest show “Dancing with the Stars: Live in Las Vegas.”

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Holly Madison celebrates Memorial Day weekend at Bazaar on the rooftop at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens.

On Friday night, Las Vegas’ “it” girl and star of “Peepshow” Holly Madison was seen celebrating Memorial Day wWeekend at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas. Madison looked gorgeous dressed in a mini summer-satin, pink pastel, Black Halo dress with a black belt synched around her waist showing off her figure along with Christian Dior stilettos.

Before heading to the nightclub Madison made a pit stop at the oversized candy bin wall at Sugar Factory’s retail store. She picked up some candy-coated gum balls and fell in love with a pink fuzzy Sugar Factory teddy bear.

Madison and her friends started the night sipping on Grey Goose cocktails and champagne inside the mega-club. The night was dedicated to having fun for the group of 20, which included Madison’s good friend Josh Strickland. The “Peepshow” singer entertained his friends by dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and “Crazy In Love.”

Later on, the group made their way up to Bazaar, the late-night event that is held on the rooftop of the nightclub, where Felix Da Housecat was spinning. Also joining the table was Madison’s boyfriend and founder of Electric Daisy Carnival and CEO of Insomniac Events Pasquale Rotelli, as well as an internationally renowned DJ Kaskade. Posing for photos, dancing and waving to fans, the blonde bombshell looked blissful as she and the group spent the night kicking off their holiday weekend at Chateau.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Chris Daughtry and his band Daughtry played a concert Thursday night at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. The finalist from Season 5 of “American Idol” played a set that included “Renegade,” “Break the Spell,” “Feels Like Tonight,” “Crawling Back To You,” “Losing My Mind,” “Out of My Head,” “Crazy,” “Start of Something Good,” “Rescue Me,” “What About Now,” “Home,” “Louder,” “Over You/No Surprise,” “Running Down a Dream,” “September,” “Rebel Yell” and “It’s Not Over.”

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Chef Tom Moloney of Aquaknox

The Palazzo hosted the Las Vegas Epicurean Affair presented by the Nevada Restaurant Association featuring nearly 75 renowned restaurants and beverage purveyors on Thursday night. Approximately 1,800 guests mingled amongst the elegant Pools at the Palazzo and sampled culinary delights from local celebrated restaurants. Recognized as one of the city’s premier tasting events, this year’s sold out Epicurean Affair dazzled once again as world-class chefs tempted guests’ palates throughout the evening.

Guests started their culinary journey with chilled melon soup with bleu camen lemon grimala and citris gastrio from Lagasse’s Stadium and prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella and heirloom tomato salad from The Capital Grille before venturing to Bouchon’s short ribs and STK’s spiced pickled prawns.

Those looking for more exotic flavors didn’t have to travel far to find TAO’s tuna tenaki with wasabi salsa, Diego’s huitlacoche braised beef tacos and Bacio’s conchiglie con gamberi e arugula.

The three restaurants of celebrity chef and restaurateurs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianch —Carnevino, B&B Ristorante and Otto Enoteca — were combined into one booth while other favorites included Craftsteak’s beef tenderloin carpaccio with argula, parmesan and asparagus and Public House’s rabbit loin in porchetta with duck rillette fritter and raspberry passion fruit verrine.

Laguna Champagne Bar kept the bubbly flowing from the center bar with their signature Flower Eclipse champagne cocktail and a touch screen “Smart Bar” poured perfectly concocted libations. Diageo set up an ultra-lounge in Azure Pool’s rotunda where guests posed for silly photo booth pictures.

Sweet endings came from The Cupcakery’s mini cupcakes, Hash House a Go Go with strawberry shortcake and their ever-popular kiwi watermelon drink, Bouchon’s key lime pie parfait and Canyon Ranch Grill’s orange ginger mousse with praline.

Other participating restaurants included Mint Indian Bistro, Gilley’s Saloon, Delmonico Steakhouse, Maggiano’s, Origin India, Zine Noodles Dim Sum, Ferraro’s, FIRST Food & Bar, Double Helix, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Postrio Bar & Grill, Aquaknox, Taqueria Canonita, Fogo de Chao, Beam Global, Il Mulino and SushiSamba.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.

Hidden away within the colossal structure of the Dubai World Trade Center, Donatello Restaurant and Lounge boasts lavish décor and an enticing Italian menu. Yet situated not far from DIFC, known for its abundance of high-end dining options, one immediately wonders at how the placement of this new Italian  venue can compete with the  nearby haven of renowned luxury eateries. With such musings in mind my guest and I ventured inside the restaurant and were pleasantly enraptured by the appealing ambiance furnished with gold tables and chairs and plush gold-toned tie-back drapes. Friendly staff welcomed us eagerly within the interior which we found was surprisingly – empty. While a bit dismayed by this realization, we were equally intrigued by the restaurant’s level of sophistication and knowledgeable staff. We were quickly seated and waited upon as the only guests in the house – a rare and uncommon treat when dining out in Dubai.

Subtle Italian rock music played in the background and I immediately recalled years of living in Rome where the sweet and passionate tunes of Vasco Rossi would often permeate through popular sidewalk trattorias. The music seemed a bit out-of-place within such a lavishly decorated venue and yet also provided a heartwarming ambiance in place of the evident lack of guests. It was Tuesday, one of the restaurant’s least busy evenings affirmed Assistant Manager Richard Somelius. As we nodded, we couldn’t help but be a bit startled by just how large the restaurant was – its very size loomed even bigger by the multitude of empty tables. We equated the fact to the restaurant’s recent opening and a bit awkward location, which we ascertained would soon bring forth more guests in the coming months. We opened a large menu and feasted our eyes on eloquent cursive font explaining in detail a variety of Italian specialties. Fresh home-made bread was whisked to the table while we perused over our options.

With the help of our waiter, a lovely man from Tunisia who couldn’t have been more explicative when recommending such enticing Mediterranean cuisine, we eventually settled on starters of Parmigiana di Melanzane in cocotte, Burrata Pugliese con pomodorini, pesto ed olio al tartufo bianco and Carpaccio di manzo, rucola, insalatina di sedano, Parmigiano e salsa alla mostrada. The Burrata was an immediate hit – the creamy version of mozzarella was deliciously juxtaposed with the fresh tastes of tomato, basil and pesto and heightened with the more earthy flavor of white truffle oil. While the eggplant parmesan was satisfying, its demeanor seemed to be a bit overcooked and could be likened more towards the constitution of lasagna rather than what would usually be its ripe and supple state. The paper-thin slices of beef carpaccio were deliciously salty, rustic and accompanied by a zesty celery salad, shaved parmesan cheese and a light Dijon mustard dressing. Recommended to us as well was the Insalatina mista Donatello – a mixed salad made with buffalo mozzarella, tuna, corn and a poached egg which appeared smack in the center of the glistening tower of greens – a refreshingly simple and tasty concoction in comparison to the sumptuous surroundings.

Our plates were cleared and our waiter brought out a range of small bottles of olive oil. Each flask comprised of its own flavor suited for a particular dish. Our main courses of Linguine all’astice (Linguine with Canadian Lobster), Filetto di Halibut in guazetto con pomodorini, zafferano e patate novelle (Halibut fillet) and Filetto di merluzzo nero al cartoccio, olive taggiasche, capperi e pomodorini arrived and he recommended the lemon-infused olive oil to compliment the halibut. Fresh tomato and basil complimented the lobster linguine which was deliciously rich and savory. The halibut,  seasoned with saffron, clams, mussels, potatoes and cherry tomatoes, was a disappointment. The taste was bland and weak in comparison to the fullness and succulent flavor of the linguine – a dish which was out of character when juxtaposed to the rest of our order, yet partially saved with a splash of lemon olive oil. The Black Cod was an immediate winner. An explosion of flavor to the taste buds, the dish was roasted with black olives, capers and cherry tomatoes and served “al cartoccio” – an Italian cooking method whereby fish is wrapped within a parchment paper and baked until cooked. The method requires very little oil and renders the fish moist, tender and bursting with flavor – exactly the sensation of the Black Cod which we eagerly consumed.

Delightfully filled from our main course, we were impressed by the artful dessert which made our way across the floor. A white chocolate and yogurt pannacotta served in an elegant pedestal bowl resembling that of a drinking chalice and laden with an array of colorful fruit – a sight which recalled that of a Renaissance still-life painting. Also arriving at our table was a rich chocolate delice – one had to break through the hard chocolate shell to uncover the sinfully creamy under layer. We were pleased.

While the opulent surroundings might seem to try a bit too hard, the food provides a genuine and fulfilling solution. Donatello certainly has promise. Give this restaurant a few more months and hopefully, its tables will begin to fill.

Dubai World Trade Center, +971 43863577 www.donatello-group.com

Memorial Day weekend festivities kicked off with a big splash today at Encore Beach Club at Encore Las Vegas.

NFL names including Shaun Phillips, Reggie Bush, Nic Harris and Kasim Osgood and more were on hand to check out Sebastian Ingrosso’s electrifying deejay set. Afrojack surprised the packed dayclub by joining Ingrosso in the DJ booth.

AN21, Lil Jon and Max Vangeli were among the other spinsters seen soaking up the hot music scene at the daytime pool destination celebrating its two-year anniversary this weekend.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.