The award is one of the most prestigious in the food service industry.

Recipients are nominated by former Ivy Award recipients, and winners are decided by a readers poll in Restaurants & Institutions magazine.

Bartolotta's first Ivy Award came in 1993, when he was chef and managing partner of Chicago's Spiaggia.

"Its cool," Bartolotta said by telephone from Chicago, "to be recognized twice for what was in essence doing two different (Italian) cooking styles."

During his nine years at Spiaggia, he specialized in "very modern and contemporary" Italian fare, he said. At Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn, he moved to the traditional coastal cooking of Italy.

He thanked Steve Wynn for "giving me this incredible showcase." And he thanked the staff at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare "for their commitment to the vision: Chefs get all the credit, but the staffs do all the heavy lifting."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Steve Schirripa continues to find life after "The Sopranos." He has been cast as a lead in "The Hungry Ghosts," the directorial debut of "Sopranos" cast mate Michael Imperioli. Shooting starts today on the film. Schirripa also has a recurring role in ABC Family's "The Secret Life of an American Teenager," which comes out in July. ...

Bryan Cheatham, lead singer of the Chippendales, was awarded the "No. 1 sexiest moment" on "The Maury Show" during Friday's episode. The "moment" came from his appearance last year featuring a smitten California fan who spent more than $5,000 on trips to see him perform at the Rio.

SIGHTINGS

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, making a surprise appearance on the orange carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday at the MGM Grand. ... At Simon at Palms Place on Saturday: Toby Keith, Seth Green and former Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees. ... At "Love," at The Mirage, on Saturday: Reba McEntire, accompanied by a group of friends, which included Kelly Clarkson and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. ... NBA star Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers, on the VIP balcony Saturday at The Bank Nightclub in Bellagio. ... At Tryst in Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday: Taye Diggs, Vivica A. Fox, Keyshia Cole and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ... At LAX Nightclub in Luxor on Saturday: Audrina Patridge of "The Hills," celebrating her birthday with friends and family after dining at Company American Bistro. Also at LAX: Ben McKenzie, formerly of "The O.C." and Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks. ... At Pure in Caesars Palace on Saturday: Keith, Green, Jason Mewes and English soccer player Matthew Oakley. ... Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu of the band Korn, dining Saturday night at Social House in Treasure Island.

PUNCH LINE

"The Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on gay marriage. You thought it was hard to be a single girl before. Guys were either gay or married; now they're gay and married." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.