Au Revoir
Andre's Downtown, the beloved French eatery that defined gourmet dining a decade before the wave of star chefs arrived, is closing.
If all goes as planned, owner Andre Rochat will bid au revoir to his Sixth Street gem on New Year's Eve.
"It is time. Everything's got to end," said Rochat, who wants to reduce his workload after 50 years in hot kitchens.
Since 2001, he has overseen three fine dining restaurants, Andre's at the Monte Carlo, Alize at the Palms and his downtown location, which he opened in 1980.
"It is my heart and soul," Rochat said. "I built it with my own hands." He bought the land in 1978 and worked double duty, starting construction at 5 a.m. before taking a break for a shower and heading off to the Dunes, where he worked until midnight as a sous chef.
When it opened, many an entertainment icon -- and a few infamous types -- helped make it one of the most popular restaurants in Las Vegas.
Frank Sinatra stirred the buzz when he came in with three bodyguards. Other celebrity patrons included Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey and famed dancer Juliet Prowse.
Actor Joe Pesci came in during the filming of "Casino." Mob hit man Tony Spilotro, who was portrayed by Pesci in "Casino," camped out at the restaurant's round table, said Rochat, "handing out $100 bills like they were going out of style."
If a remodeling of Andre's Monte Carlo is done in time, Dec. 31 will be the last day for Andre's Downtown. Rochat will move his crew to the Monte Carlo and reopen a few days later. Otherwise, "we would stay open through Jan. 3."
Rochat, who arrived here in the early 1970s, wants to enjoy his golden years.
"When everybody plays, you work. You never have Christmas off, or New Year's. When friends say, 'Let's go fishing or hunting,' you can't go. I'm lucky to be healthy and I have super people working for me.
"The economy is part of it," he said. Rochat and his longtime partner, Mary Jane Jarvis, split earlier this year.
CIRQUE OFFERS $49 SHOW DEAL
Cirque du Soleil is offering $49 tickets to "Mystere" (Treasure Island), "Zumanity" (New York-New York) and "Ka" (MGM Grand). Call (866) 241-2833 and mention "local."
COMING UP
"Germany's Next Top Model by Heidi Klum" will be filming with Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo in January.
COCKTAIL SERVERS TOURNAMENT
The Stratosphere is hosting the first Cocktail Server Blackjack Tournament Wednesday. Registration ends Tuesday for the field of 48 three-person teams. The grand prize is a trip to Hawaii, along with a chance to win $100,000 in cash. To register, call 383-5245 or 380-7637.
APPEARANCES AND SIGNINGS
Legendary guitarist George Lynch of Dokken and Lynch Mob fame will be playing at Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel on Nov. 14. ...
Hayden Panettiere, who stars in the TV series "Heroes," unveils her Hayden Clutch at Dooney & Bourke in The Venetian on Nov. 22. ...
OVERHEARD
"So do we want to go to Lake Las Vegas tomorrow or the Erotic Museum?" -- A woman, asking her husband before "Criss Angel Believe" by Cirque du Soleil at Luxor on Thursday.
GULBIS AMONG WENDY'S FIELD
Lake Las Vegas resident Natalie Gulbis is among nine players in the 17th annual Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge on Tuesday at Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson.
The event consists of threesomes from the three tours, PGA (Stewart Cink, Rocco Mediate and Kenny Perry), LPGA (Helen Alfredsson, Cristie Kerr and Gulbis) and Champions (Fred Funk, Jay Haas and Nick Price). Both the pro-am on Monday and Tuesday's event are free. Play begins at 8:30 a.m. both days. For more information, call Rio Secco, 777-2400.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. His new book, "Vegas Confidential: Sin-sational Celebrity Tales," comes out this month.
