Sorry, Ari, Nobu for you. Jeremy Piven’s behavior at Matsuhisa in Aspen during the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival a few weeks ago has the Internet burning up.
Columnist Ben Widdicombe at the NY Daily News broke the story Monday. Seems Piven, who plays agitated agent Ari Gold on HBO’s hit series “Entourage,” went to Nobu Matsuhisa’s trendy Aspen sushi joint, Matsuhisa, and made such a scene he was asked never to return – and to keep away from Nobu’s NYC and L.A. joints.
I saw Piven walking around Aspen during that weekend, and at the “Entourage” salute, and at a private dinner for NetJets members and at a VIP “Entourage” party at the Caribou Club – and he was always well-behaved. But maybe not at Matsuhisa.
“He came in with a large group of 12 or more without reservations and asked for a table,” a snitch is quoted. “It was a very busy night, but a table, although cramped, was provided. On his way out, he made a nasty comment to the manager: ‘Thanks for nothing.”‘
As for the tip, Piven reportedly left a DVD set of “Entourage’s” first season. An employee ran up the stairs and threw it at Piven as he left, or so the story goes.
Through his rep, Piven replied to Widdicombe’s charges in Ari Gold form: “I’m such a fan of all of his restaurants. I had a great dinner at the Nobu in Aspen. As always, the meal was excellent and the service was great.”
Calls to Matsuhisa’s GM Todd Clark on Wednesday were not answered.
Happy campers
Janet Elway’s Janet’s Camp party is skedded for June 9 at her Cherry Hills Village manse – and everyone is hoping it won’t rain like it did at its debut last summer. The camper-themed party, with camp games and camp food, raises money to send kids to YMCA summer day camps. Last year the party raised $110,000, sending more than 200 to camp.
It gets going April 26 at Saks with a Campy Couture fashion show. Sassy radio’s Gloria Neal will emcee; models include Janet, Peggy Shanahan, Aimee and Dan Caplis, Gary and Nicole Gait, Milan and Zlatuse Hejduk and Billy Thompson.
We’re the best
Colorado cities turned up on Men’s Journal’s annual roster of America’s 50 Best Places to Live. Denver is one of the best downtowns – MJ credits Coors Field for its rebirth. “In a matter of a few years the rundown Lower Downtown that served as Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady’s drunken playground in the ’40s was converted into the polished, oh-so-hip ‘LoDo’ that served as, well, the drunken playground for the Real World brats in 2006.”
Basalt is a best hideaway. “It’s like getting Aspen at half the price and with none of the attitude.” Boulder is, of course, the fourth-healthiest place – no explanation needed or given.
City spirit
Cooking at the April 17 I Have A Dream’s Roast of Chamber boss Joe Blake: Michael Bennet; singing trio Andrew Hudson, Tom Clark and Dick Hinson; Mayor John Hickenlooper; Annie Patterson and Joe Blake Jr.; Tamra Ward and Sheila MacDonald … Sez who: “Men want to be really really close to someone who will leave them alone.” Elayne Boosler
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at denverpostbloghouse.com/husted.
