We like our potatoes like we like our women: Oiled and buttered.

We’d be tempted to be cynical about the tuber experience as a whole and say the book was written a long time ago on all the ways to prepare America’s side-dish. But then we’re confronted with brave, daring potatonauts who’ve risked it all to bring us the bleeding edge of potato advancement.

Strip House’s Executive Chef John Schenk is one of those potatonauts.

The Ripped Potatoes are, essentially, steak fries on steroids. Whole, chopped potatoes are quickly fried in a little light oil and tossed in a hint of butter, then dusted with parmesan, sea salt and parsley. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Tequila isn’t just lurking, it’s daring you.

There are only so many ways to gussy up a traditional Margarita, yet the one that never fails is blowing it out of the water with high-end tequila.

The Strip House Margarita at the Planet Hollywood restaurant takes DeLeon Tequila Diamante — which retails around $100 to $125 a bottle — and mixes it with lime, agave nectar and Grand Mariner. Agave nectar aside, it’s a basic build that hews to the traditional recipe.

Still, the DeLeon is a smooth, smoky, woody, robust tequila that takes over the drink and lends a little elegance to a cocktail that we normally prefer to consume by the pitcher. (In all fairness, we prefer to drink most of our cocktails by the pitcher — your mileage may vary.)

It’s surprising in that for a Margarita, it’s not overly sweet — a little floral touch of agave nectar underneath, notwithstanding. If anything, it’s unbalanced, but in a good way. This is a Margarita that lets you know who’s in charge.

By Jason Scavone

Don’t make him angry. … You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. It makes him sing power ballads.(Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)

Terror struck Las Vegas Saturday night as Cabo Wabo at Palnet Hollywood was hit by the largest hostage crisis the city has ever seen. Hundreds of diners were submitted to an impromptu concert by rocker and owner Sammy Hagar prior to his concert with Aerosmith on Sunday.
While details on the terrifying situation are sparse, we can only assume that the innocent victims, kept against their will most likely at knifepoint, heard Hagar perform hits like “55″ and “Why Can’t This Be Love” while dancing around stage in clothing most people keep at the bottom of a drawer for when they have to paint a room or do auto work.
Listen, we are unabashed David Lee Roth supporters at DailyFiasco, so maybe we’re biased. We just don’t get it. But we can admit when we’re outnumbered. The guy does seem to have a lot of fans and supporters and has obviously figured out what America wants.

By Jared Harmon

“Thriller” zombies: two-for-one.

What better way to honor the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death than by selling off some of his creepy, creepy stuff. Sure, the big prize is the red “Beat It” jacket for the three-day auction that starts June 25, but there’s some other choice swag up for grabs. Including: A white glove from the Victory tour, the ’80siest T-shirt ever, this thing and, naturally, a shady painting of a little boy. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

OK. We’re listening.

Here we go with MAGIC and Project. The fashion show is getting off right, though, with a lingerie show from Forplay at Prive inside Planet Hollywood Resort. Ladies can take part in a gifting suite — and we’re all in favor of any giveaway that increases the lingerie quotient in general. DJ Five and DJ Finesse spin. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

(Photo by Erik Kabik. Additional photos by Kabik, Scott Harrison | Retna, Isaac Brekken.)

Kendra Wilkinson Baskett, in full-on Valentine’s Day mode, was spotted at Silk Road inside Vdara Saturday night, with husband Hank where fans were stopping the couple in the Vdara lobby telling Hank he played great in the Super Bowl, before the couple were scheduled to host at Eve inside Crystals that night.

First, they did dinner at Beso before heading over to the club. It was their first weekend away from newborn Hank Jr. Hank’s parents were watching him, and sending out photos in the meantime.

“This is the biggest Valentine’s Day we’ve had, and we’re really celebrating what brought us together,” Hank said. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

The Phantom of the Seinfeld. (Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)

Jason Alexander, in a stunning reversal for Seinfeld alums, got on stage this weekend and didn’t once drop an N-bomb. There’s hope for these crazy kids yet.

Alexander launched his Donny Clay Experience Friday night, the song-and-dance-and-comedy schtick where he plays a motivational speaker. He was also spotted last night next door to the showroom at Strip House. The show returns Feb. 25 to 28, March 4 to 7 and 11 to 14.

By Jason Scavone

Super Bowl III MVP, Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron. She had a great game against the Colts. (Photos by Scott Harrison | Retna)

Not even a dancing Rush Limbaugh could stop the Miss America train from a-rollin’ Saturday night at Planet Hollywood, where Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron took the tiara. We think Miss Puerto Rico kind of got robbed, but whatever. When we get our Fantasy Miss America League up and running, we’re still going to take her ahead of Kyle Orton, who’s completely overrated.

It was the backdrop for a big weekend for Mario Lopez, who’s emerged as the new dude-face of Miss America. On Friday he had dinner at Strip House with nine friends, including Eva Longoria’s mother, Ella Eva Mireles Longoria. That’s … kind of weird. To be hanging out with your friends’ moms. We’re pretty sure if we tried to hang out with some of our friends’ moms they’d still yell at us for like, leaving our bicycle in front of the driveway, or eating all the good junk food on a sleepover 20 years ago.

Lopez also brought his girlfriend, Courtney Mazza, to Prive Friday night

By Jason Scavone

WARNING: There’s no guarantee that you won’t get K-Fedded.

Steve Aoki returns to Prive inside Planet Hollywood tonight. We’re pretty sure he’s there just to lure in the National Finals Rodeo crowd. Actually, come to think of it, if they threw on a strobe light and some house music to freak out the bulls, there’s zero chance we wouldn’t DVR every rodeo on TV. Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone

Mas, por favor. (Photos by Scott Harrison | Retna. Additional photos courtesy.)

Looking a lot more like The Dude than the leather-pantsed Red Rocker of yore, Sammy Hagar — pink polo shirt, madras shorts and all — had a couple of surprises for the crowd Friday night at the Cabo Wabo grand opening inside the Miracle Mile Shops, but there were a few waiting for him, too.

Not only did Hagar get passed a note to watch his language, as the hour-and-a-half set was being shown on Planet Hollywood’s Strip-side video screens (which he immediately responded to with a hearty, “Well, fuck.”), but close friend Kenny Chesney jumped on stage to do two songs — and even Hagar’s crew kept the surprise a secret from him until it was time to bust out “I’ll Fall in Love Again.”

After gleefully bantering with Chesney and backing band The Waboritas about Tiger Woods, Hagar brought up Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul to break out VH’s “Poundcake” (A song less about baked goods than about sex with women who aren’t strippers, or possibly Eddie Van Halen’s ability to power-drill his guitar without tangling up his hair in the Black & Decker.) and “Heavy Metal.” Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith took over for Paul for a closing set that included Zeppelin covers “Whole Lotta Love” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Click for more words and pictures »

By Jason Scavone