Columnist Muriel Stevens: Love can come at any cost

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003 | 8:17 a.m.

Heartfelt wishes accompanied by flowers, candy or jewelry are all good choices for a Valentine's Day gift, but how about adding a book of love poetry? What could be more romantic?

Of course, there's all kinds of love.

"The Lover's Book of Quotations" edited by Helen Handley (Pushcart Press) includes this from Walt Disney: "I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I've known."

More Valentine's Day options:

Ritz is rich: Only two couples can enjoy the ultimate Valentine's Day package created by the new Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. This once-in-a-lifetime extravagant offering was timed to coincide with the "Diamonds and the Power of Love" exhibit that will be unveiled at the resort on Valentine's Day.

Ante up $95,000 and receive three nights in the 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite; a VIP invitation to the private, star-studded premiere party for the exhibit; a personal welcome that includes chocolate, champagne, caviar and cigars for two; unlimited use of Spa Vita di Lago at the resort, including a full day of treatments for him and her and the spa's signature couple's massage; a personal butler throughout the weekend; two days of unlimited golf at the Falls Golf Club; breakfast in bed each day; his and hers Bulgari watches; limo pickup at a local home or at McCarran International Airport; and a brand-new Mercedes SLK convertible to take home -- it's yours.

Call (800) 241-3333 for reservation information.

So precious: For Valentine's Day, gift shoppers this is the time to shop such fine jewelry stores as Fred in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Amid the fabulously precious jewels are such small treasures as earrings. Bulgari, also in the Forum Shops, offers silk scarves and many small items for men and women. Tiffany & Co. at Bellagio has a number of sterling silver gifts for under $100.

One gift I've treasured for years is an Elsa Peretti teardrop design pen. That same pen is still part of the Peretti collection and at prices that are not much more than they were 20 years ago. The sterling silver Peretti pen is $95; the black, blue or red lacquer one is $65.

Peretti has been designing beautiful baubles for Tiffany for 25 years. Most of her collections are on display through Feb. 28 at the Bellagio Tiffany & Co. A separate catalog (without prices), "Elsa Peretti, Twenty-Five Years With Tiffany," features many of her designs.

Cartier at the Appian Way at Caesars offers dozens of well-priced gift items including boxes of stationery that can be personalized. Some have motifs that need no extra touches.

Candy still dandy: Ethel M Chocolates continues to create terrific Valentine's Day presentation boxes. The satin boxer shorts box for men is a knockout. Slim and trim, with a small red heart on one "leg," this hand-packed box of chocolates is an exclusive Ethel M design ($28).

The sexy ceramic "lips" mug ($12) is emblazoned with pouty lips and inside are Dreamy Pink lips, a creamy melt-in-your-mouth confection (wash the mug by hand). For an ice cream fan give a month or more of sundaes with bottles of double chocolate or chocolate caramel sauce (12.5 ounces, $20 per bottle).

Or design your own box of chocolates. Stunning red satin boxes are embellished with a black satin ribbon anchored with a rhinestone heart. Available in gigantic to favor sizes -- priced from $22 to $120. Order by noon Thursday for Valentine's Day delivery.

More dandy candy: See's Candies offers a wide array of classic heart-shaped boxed candies in a variety of sizes and colors. A heart-shaped "Tuxedo" box for men of all ages includes a red rose boutonniere.

A red velvet heart filled with four pounds of chocolates and truffles is $96 (includes delivery and handling). All Valentine items are available for delivery through Friday.

Be creative: If your Valentine budget is small, head for one of the many 99-cent stores. All that's needed is a little creativity, plenty of red tissue paper, lots of hearts and red ribbon and a pretty basket. There are dozens of items in these bargain emporiums that would be fun to include in a gift basket.

Dine out

Caesars Palace's 808 restaurant will serve a four-course prix fixe Valentine's Day meal ($60 per person) that includes the 808 oyster sampler.

Service is from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The regular menu is also available.

Terrazza Italian restaurant will offer a special Valentine's Day meal in addition to its regular menu, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Neros' four-course prix fixe dinner is $60 per person. Included are Maine lobster bisque, pepper-crusted filet mignon and shrimp scampi.

Palatium buffet is offering a special seafood and champagne dinner buffet Valentine's Day from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. -- $24.99 includes a whole one-pound steamed Maine lobster. Extra lobsters are $12 each.

Flamingo Hilton's Conrad's Steakhouse will offer a four-course Valentine dinner for two for $79.95. Reservations advised. Call 733-3333.

Paradise Garden Buffet will feature prime rib, shrimp and crab legs on Valentine's Day -- $15.95 per person. Service is from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Lindy's Coffee Shop will feature a dinner for two priced at $29.95. Lindy's is open 24/7.

Billy Bob's Steakhouse and Saloon at Sam's Town will feature many Valentine's Day entrees and dinners. Service is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Valentine's Day.

Firelight Buffet will offer a Valentine's Day Brunch and a Champagne Holiday Menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in addition to the regular breakfast and brunch specialties for $10.99. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. the buffet will serve a special all-you-can-eat seafood buffet that includes prime rib and champagne -- $16.99 per person.

And finally, love advice to women from that old marriage maven, Zsa Zsa Gabor: "Husbands are like fires -- they go out when unattended."