Columnist Muriel Stevens: Options abound for Valentine’s Day diners

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 8:24 a.m.

Last call for Valentine dining. There's still time to make Valentine's Day dinner reservations, but you might not get your first choice. Don't fret; Las Vegas restaurants, elegant or casual, aim to please.

And if you would rather dine at home (but don't want to cook), how about a picnic basket from Chef Georg Paulussen at Wild Truffles European Deli? Picnics can be held indoors as well as out. Order a picnic basket for two ($85), which includes deli sandwiches, salad, chocolate-covered strawberries, grapes and apples, and soft drinks, all packed in a keepsake suitcase; include a bottle of champagne and you're all set.

Of course, if the sky's the limit, Chef Georg can prepare a feast for two that could include rack of lamb or anything else a Valentine's heart desires. There are no limits at Wild Truffles as long as time permits. Picnic baskets can be picked up today and Saturday.

For special orders, such as the lamb, don't delay -- call 242-1542.

To picnic indoors, clear a space on the floor in the room where you want to dine. Arrange on it a beautiful cloth, comforter or whatever; use your finest china, silver and crystal. If loose pillows are available use those for seating. Arrange the food on trays and bring to the "table." Soft music and lights and a few scattered flowers on the cloth are a lovely addition. No shoes, please. Barefoot is better. Yes, you can dine at a table, especially if you've ordered hot food, but if your knees can still bend and you can get up after you sit down, go for it.

Puck chefs honor romance: Wolfgang Puck's Fine Dining Group chefs just adore turning up the heat on Valentine's Day. "For Two" menus have been created by Cupid's aide, aka Corporate Executive Chef and Partner David Robins, for Spago and Chinois at the Forum Shops at Caesars, Trattoria del Lupo at Mandalay Bay and Postrio inside The Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes.

Spago Chef de Cuisine Eddie Perez will offer Cote de Boeuf for two with roasted fingerling potatoes and haricot vert (French green beans); a smoked salmon omelet with creme fraiche and caviar; and white truffle pizza. Pair any of these dishes with one of the signature cocktails, such as the Valentini -- Stoli strawberry vodka, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and creme de cacao.

Dessert from Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Itthuritze always sets hearts aflame. Special for this day is the "Sweetest Ever" vanilla cake and chocolate-covered strawberries.

At Chinois, Puck's Asian fusion pleaser (around the corner from Spago), Chef de Cuisine Scott Irestone offers tempting Shanghai lobster for two. Twosomes will receive a complimentary chocolate mousse on Valentine's Day.

Trattoria del Lupo Executive Chef Mark Ferguson evokes the spirit of Eros with his aromatic black truffle risotto for two. Here, too, you will find "Sweetest Ever" vanilla cake and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Postrio's ever-romantic Executive Chef John LaGrone is offering such worldly Valentine selections as double-cut veal chops cooked on the rotisserie, with cannellini beans, fennel-orange salad and Marsala glaze; mesquite-grilled prime filet of beef with potato galette and grilled asparagus; and pan-seared Maine scallops with black truffle sauce and crisp potatoes; or butter-poached Alaskan king crab with lemon risotto and herbed gremolata. Itthuritze offers a white chocolate charlotte and blood orange compote as well as the ubiquitous chocolate-covered strawberries.

For reservations or more information call 369-0360.

Twin Creeks Steakhouse at Silverton: Twin Creeks Steakhouse in the Silverton hotel three miles south of the Strip at I-15 and Blue Diamond Road is offering a value-priced Valentine menu from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Entree price includes a choice of lobster bisque or seafood minestrone or a wild mushroom or Twin Creeks salad. Entree selection includes the Twin Creeks filet of beef ($19), veal chop Milanese ($27), prosciutto-wrapped diver scallops ($19) or a two-pound Maine lobster ($35) served steamed and shelled with drawn butter or with crabmeat stuffing.

For more information call 263-7777.

Gallagher's steakhouse loves couples: Gallagher's Steakhouse inside New York-New York will woo couples with two super Valentine specials. The Sweetheart's Duo ($69.95) includes tournedo Rossini, Dublin Bay Prawns, truffled garlic smashed potatoes and fresh asparagus -- a winning combination. Gallagher's signature dry-aged sirloin with bearnaise sauce will be double-cut for two for $49.95 on this special day. Included are roasted fingerling potatoes and a bouquet of fresh vegetables.

Dinner reservations are still available for seatings from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and after 9 p.m. Call 740-6450.

Tsunami Asian Grill an exotic choice: Dine free-form style at Tsunami Asian Grill & Sushi Bar inside The Venetian overlooking the canal at St. Marks Square. Begin your meal with one of the savory soups -- lobster bisque or seafood won ton or wild mushroom or watercress soup drizzled with white truffle oil and topped with chive creme fraiche.

Share a grilled Asian pear salad with candied walnuts and sesame-smoked chipotle vinaigrette salad or a baby spinach salad. As a main course, venture into fusion territory with a filet mignon with five-spice demi glace, served with pungent wasabi Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, crispy lotus rings and shiitake mushrooms or perhaps the yellowfin tuna wrapped in edible rice paper with spiced Tamari-ginger sauce, tempura bok choy and Big Island sticky rice.

To accompany your Pacific-Rim collation, choose from a veritable tidal wave of colorful cocktails available throughout the dramatic, three-tiered restaurant.

Dinner service is from 4 to 11 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call 414-1980.

Valentine's Day specials at Sam's Town: Dine at the Firelight Buffet from 4 to 9 p.m. on all-you-can-eat prime rib and more than 150 side dishes, salads, desserts and more for $12.99 per person.

Or choose the Fresh Harvest Cafe for a gourmand's dream come true -- a prime rib and crab special for $13.99. Included are a queen-cut slice of prime rib joined with one pound of Alaskan Opilio snow crab clusters. Also included are fresh sauteed vegetables and a baked potato or soup or salad and a complimentary glass of house wine.

Fresh Harvest Cafe is open 24 hours on Valentine's Day.

Rosemary's Restaurant debuts new art: Tasty indeed is the art of food, especially when combined with the art of Mary Warner, an internationally known artist whose paintings and drawings hang in museums nationally and abroad.

Warner, who has been part of the art faculty at UNLV since 1992, has her works on display at Rosemary's West Wing through April 11. Her specialty is "beautiful contemporary florals."

In Rosemary's lounge are the large-scaled photographic prints of Pasha Rafat, who teaches photography and multidisciplinary courses at UNLV. Rafat's work has been shown in Europe and throughout the United States. On display in Rosemary's lounge is his "Untitled Bar Series," vibrant, cocktail-themed still lifes. Rafat's work can be seen through April 17.

Rosemary's Restaurant at 8125 W. Sahara Ave. is hosting a Happy Hour and Meet the Artists reception March 2, featuring half-price cocktails and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Chefs/owners Michael and Wendy Jordan also own Rosemary's at The Rio. Lunch and dinner are featured at the West Sahara Rosemary's.

Call 869-2251 for restaurant reservations. Call Wendy Kveck at 869-9002 for information about the artists.

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