The view sets Trumpets apart

     By Tiffannie Bond
     View staff writer
      Del Webb Anthem's Trumpets restaurant wants to be known for its personal service and revolving menu, but much of the fanfare surrounding the restaurant may be due to its view overlooking the Las Vegas Valley.
      Through paneless windows, the valley -- from Red Rock to Sunrise Mountain -- can be seen from any of the restaurant's 141 seats. Located inside the 75,000-square-foot Anthem Center, Trumpets overlooks the valley from an elevation of 2,833 feet, a height comparable to the glass-enclosed observation deck at the Stratosphere Tower.
      "(The view) is a focal point for the entire facility," said Ellen Marconi, Trumpets' food and beverage director.
      Since the restaurant opened in May, Anthem residents have gradually filtered in, but Marconi wants everyone from Southern Nevada to feel welcome. In fact, Marconi's goal is to make Trumpets a place where the staff knows the patrons by name.
      "Everybody needs recognition. You don't know what somebody's day has been like," Marconi said. "I like the challenge of getting a smile on their face and getting a return guest."
      Catering to diners, along with maintaining a working knowledge of the revolving dishes and their ingredients, are required of the staff.
      "They're very knowledgeable about the food," said Gene Seebacher, an Anthem resident and Trumpets regular. "They take care of you like you're one of the family."
      Seebacher, who has tried almost everything executive chef Rick Sordahl has whipped up, said the menu's variety is what keeps him coming back.
      "You could order six times, and each time it's going to be different," Seebacher said. "I don't want to eat the same thing over and over."
      Along with keeping customers' taste buds intrigued, the ever-changing menu keeps the kitchen staff's imaginations going strong.
      "It keeps it fresh and allows them to be as creative as they want to be," Marconi said.
      If a customer wants a variation on a menu item, the chef on duty obliges. Because ingredients are flown in fresh, the chef can improvise.
      When Marconi and Sordahl met to decide the style of food for the restaurant, they came up with "eclectic American fusion" cuisine -- healthy entrees with an emphasis on seafood, as well as traditional American-style favorites with a twist, Marconi said.
      Ranging in price from $5.95 to $10.95 for lunch entrŽes, the menu consists of salads such as the Pecan Chicken ($7.95), as well as sandwiches like the Slow Roasted Sirloin of Beef and Cheddar Cheese ($7.95).
      The dinner menu -- where prices range from $12.95 to $23.95 for entrŽes -- consists of four-course meals, as well as light fare and chef's selections, such as the Fresh Sea Bass ($21.95) and the Citrus Marinated Shrimp with horseradish and a dill tomato gazpacho ($10.95).
      Marconi doesn't want the words "fine dining" to sway anyone from trying Trumpets. Because it's located inside the Anthem Center -- home of Sun City Anthem's workout center, pools and recreation areas -- the restaurant sees its fair share of those in shorts, as well as shirts and ties.
      "Treat the guests as if they were coming into your own home," Marconi tells her staff.
      "What we do isn't brain surgery. ... How hard is it to make a guest happy?"
      Aside from lunch and dinner, Trumpets hosts a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $14.95, Sordahl prepares fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables and breakfast items. For $4 more, bottomless champagne, Bloody Marys and mimosas are available. Children ages 6 and older are $9.95, while kids 5 and under eat free.
      Trumpets is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
      Because of the popularity of the Sunday brunch, reservations are required. Those interested can call 614-5858.