Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 | 8:31 a.m.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching, so if you're planning a romantic dinner for two at a fine restaurant, don't delay making reservations.
Make reservations wherever possible. Romance thrives under hassle-free conditions.
Charlie Palmer's Aureole at Mandalay Bay is an award-winning American restaurant with an illustrious new French chef, Philippe Rispoli. It is a winning combination. For Valentine's Day, Chefs Charlie and Philippe have created dishes Eros would have adored. This is in addition to the prix fixe cartes featured in the main dining room ($69) and in the Swan Court ($85).
Among the dishes that can be added on Valentine's Day to the standard menus for a modest supplement are a lobster-stuffed artichoke, roasted sea bass with a Swiss chard stuffing and Angus beef Wellington with Sonoma foie gras fresh black truffle sauce. A la carte dining options priced for two people are offered in the comfortable bar and lounge.
Lovers will find pastry chef Megan Romano's selection of a la carte desserts (featured at the bar) perfect for a delectable rendezvous. Designed for two people ($14), the selection includes a chocolate raspberry parfait, a flourless chocolate torte, chocolate framboise mousse and raspberry creme brulee ice cream. Have a glass of bubbly or a mellow dessert wine and enjoy the moment.
Reservations are requested for the main dining room and the Swan Court. Call 632-7401.
Medici Cafe and Terrace at Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas swings on Valentine's Day: La Festa di San Valentino at the Ritz-Carlton ($70 per person) includes live swing jazz and a three-course dinner. Many appetizer choices are available, including Maryland lump crab cakes and a potato, bacon and leek tart with roasted porcini mushrooms.
Entrees are equally enticing -- classic beef Wellington or crispy black bass with fingerling potatoes or duck breast with foie gras or diver sea scallops with arugula risotto.
A signature strawberry consomme precedes dessert. For the ladies, a dazzling chocolate financier with chocolate cream, caramel ice cream and raspberry ginger marmalade; for the males, a heady banana martini with caramelized banana ice cream, coconut sorbet and a passion fruit beignet. Dinner service is from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations call 567-4700.
Romancing the prime rib at Lawry's: Dine with Lawry's The Prime Rib from Monday through Feb. 15 and enjoy a special prix fixe dinner ($99 for two) that begins with a romantic toast. A half bottle of Domain Chandon is included. The regular menu will also be available.
Savor a prime rib dinner complete with the spinning salad bowl and side dishes and a divine Grand Marnier torte finished with a raspberry coulis. A choice of Kenya-Sumatra coffee or Sir Lipton tea and a gift of signature truffles completes this enjoyable meal. Seating is limited. For reservations or additional information call 892-2223.
Valentine's Day at MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas: Strolling violins, gondola rides and much more await Valentine's Day celebrants Saturday and Sunday at MonteLago Village Resort.
Saturday night Joseph Keller's Como Steakhouse will feature a three-course dinner. All sorts of giveaways and tastings are available. For a complete list of events, to learn about overnight Valentine's Day packages or to make a reservation call (866) 399-2753 or visit www.montelagovillage.com.
Gustav Mauler restaurants celebrate Valentine's Day weekend: Dinner at BullShrimp in the Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson ($36 per person) includes a choice of appetizer, a choice of tournedos of beef and lobster Newburg turnover or grilled escolar and a choice of dessert. Dinner is offered Feb. 13 through Feb. 15. Reservations recommended; call 942-4110.
Spiedini at JW Marriott will offer the same menu as BullShrimp at the same price throughout the weekend. Call 869-8500.
Sazio at The Orleans will offer dinner service Feb. 14 ($19.99 per person). Included are an appetizer, a choice of sliced tenderloin or chicken breast amore and Godiva cheesecake. For reservations call 948-9500.
Valentine's Day at Billy Bob's: Billy Bob's Steakhouse inside Sam's Town on Boulder Highway is featuring a veritable feast for two for $89.99. Included are a choice of soup or salad; a choice of appetizer, Louisiana crab cakes or shrimp cocktail; a Maine lobster half, stuffed with seafood and topped with bearnaise sauce, accompanied with a 6-ounce filet mignon; a "Sweethearts Dessert for Two;" and a bottle of the house red or white wine, a domestic beer, tea, coffee or soda.
For reservations call 456-7777.
Willy & Jose's Cantina at Sam's Town will add zest to such Valentine's Day entrees as asada con camaron, a New York steak, thinly cut and marinated in lime juice, beer, garlic and spices and served with fresh jumbo shrimp or pollo con carne, chunks of filet mignon sauteed in ranchero sauce with a breast of grilled chicken -- $16.99 for either special. Price includes a choice of soup or salad and Jose's tortilla chips and salsa.
Call 456-7777.
Mama Jo's Italian Bistro in Green Valley: Dine a la carte on such Italian favorites as osso buco, lobster manicotti and salmon en croute while listening to what is billed as "The eloquent voice of Laura Angelini." Valentine's Day dinner service from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Seating is limited. Call 719-6262.
Takeout from Whole Foods Market: Settle in a home with food and wine from Whole Foods Market at 8855 W. Charleston Blvd. Better yet, pick up a February newsletter that lists all of the free events. There are so many! And you have to love a store that tells you why chocolate is good for you. Call 254-8655 for more information.
Pre-Valentine's Day wine tasting at Gaylord's: South African wines from Great Wines International will be paired with the exotic foods of India as prepared at Gaylord Indian Restaurant at The Rio on Feb. 10. A champagne reception with hors d'oeuvres will precede the five-course Indian dinner. Dinner price is $79.99 per person. Call 777-2277 for more information or reservations.
Beer and chocolate said to be perfect pairing for Valentine's Day: "Sensual, magic, romantic," were words inspired by a tasting of Brooklyn Brewing's Black Chocolate Stout paired with a trio of chocolate desserts prepared by Gramercy Tavern Pastry Chef Claudia Fleming. To learn more about this latest craze read "The New Brewer Magazine," available at Borders Books and Barnes and Noble bookstores. Bock and rock, yes. Choc and bock? I might need a little convincing.
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