Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 8:36 a.m.
Valentine's Day is more than hearts and flowers, say the experts at Yahoo!Shopping.
There are many theories about the origins of Valentine's Day, yet the only one that today's society supports is that Feb. 14 is the most romantic day of the year.
There's still time to buy a gift. Yahoo!Shopping offers a wide array of gifts at its Last Minute Gift Center that can be ordered and delivered up to Monday (according to the e-mail I received). Visit shopping.yahoo.com to see the collection.
Tables for two at McCormick & Schmick: On Valentine's Day, McCormick & Schmick Seafood Restaurant in the Howard Hughes Center will revamp its seating arrangements to accommodate couples on this delicious occasion.
The chefs will add their touch by playing Cupid for the evening and giving each twosome a dark-chocolate heart filled with white-chocolate mousse and fresh berries, a sweet romantic gesture. Reservations are a must for this special evening. For reservations call 836-9000.
A menu to arouse the senses: On Valentine's Day, La Tour Bar & Grill in Vail, Colo., will melt the snow on the slopes with a tantalizing menu of mood enhancers. La Tour is one of Vail's finest dining choices, noted for its excellent French-American cuisine. La Tour's award-winning executive chef, Paul Ferzacca, knows the foods that encourage love.
Ferzacca has created a multicourse meal that includes aphrodisiac cocktails dubbed "Love Potions" and "Love Bites" (oysters and caviar). Following are courses named Dreams (first course), Desires (second course), Passions (third course) and Arrival (dessert). Anyone planning to spend Valentine's Day in Vail can visit www.latour-vail.com for more information. La Tour is in the heart of Vail Village at 122 E. Meadow Drive, just a few steps from the Vail Village parking structure.
Cannery celebrates Valentine's Day: Cannery Casino and Hotel in North Las Vegas will feature dining specials in Waverly's Steakhouse and Victory's Cafe. Both will offer their regular menus as well. For reservations to Waverly's Steakhouse, call 507-5900. Service at Waverly's is from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Among the specials are a chilled seafood appetizer for two ($25) that includes lobster, shrimp, oysters and crab; filet mignon Rockefeller; and rose essence creme brulee.
Victory's Cafe will offer holiday specials from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. All specials include a choice of soup or salad, asparagus, potato or rice and rolls and butter. A combination plate with two entree choices is $17.95. For more information about Valentine's Day specials, call 507-5700.
A fountain of chocolate at Jean-Phillipe Patisserie: Share a kiss nearby the tallest chocolate fountain in the world at Jean-Philippe Patisserie in Bellagio's new Spa Tower. There is no headier aroma than the fragrance of melting chocolate. This first-of-its-kind fountain circulates nearly two tons of melted dark, milk and white chocolate at a rate of 120 quarts per minute. What a heavenly flow!
In addition to the mind-boggling fountain of chocolate, the patisserie features a multitude of savory and sweet seductions -- including a marvelous selection of crepes, sandwiches, pastries, Danish pastries, gelato and sorbet and, for those with willpower, a low-fat spa menu. New hours at Jean-Philippe Patisserie are 7 a.m to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Gallagher's Steakhouse offers Valentine's Day speciality items: Steak is always prime fare at Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York-New York, but more is in store on Valentine's Day. Sip a tasty roast chicken consomme en croute or munch a fresh Kentar Farms baby greens salad with fried oyster croutons tossed with aged balsamic vinaigrette -- $6.50 each.
For an entree, have the surf and turf, succulent Black Angus tenderloin medallions and Australian lobster tail ($49.99) or fresh Dover sole with Meuniere sauce ($35.95). Chocolate passion for dessert ($12.95) sounds just right. Gallagher's hours on Valentine's Day are 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations, call 740-6450.
Valentine's Day specials at Silverton: Sundance Grill and Twin Creeks Steakhouse are offering special entrees in two of their popular eateries in celebration of Valentine's Day. At Sundance Grill, the grilled mahi mahi served with red onion salsa is $15. A filet mignon with crab meat and asparagus and classic Bernaise sauce is $19.
Twin Creeks Steakhouse will offer lemon-and-thyme swordfish steak ($22), Dover sole Meuniere and herb-crusted lamb chops ($28 each). Sundance Grill is open 24/7; Twin Creeks Steakhouse will be open for Valentine's Day dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are suggested. Call 263-7777.
Chinese New Year at Wolfgang Puck's Chinois: Wolfgang Puck's Chinois in the Forum Shops at Caesars will celebrate Chinese New Year through Feb. 22. The special menu items created by Puck and Chef Terence Fong include crispy seafood ravioli topped with lobster sauce; sauteed abalone medallions Francese with ponzu butter; whole sizzling striped bass with Chinois signature firecracker sauce, braised short ribs with daikon radish and shiitake mushrooms and more. For reservations or more information about the Chinese New Year special dishes, call 737-9700.
Il Mulino serving lunch: Il Mulino Italian restaurant inside Phase III of the Forum Shops at Caesars is featuring lunch from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Enjoy the savory dishes of the Abruzzi region of Italy in surroundings reminiscent of Old World Italy. The visual splendor of a fresh antipasti display whets the appetite. Included daily are varieties of Italian cheeses, artichokes, peppers and other exclusive Il Mulino specialties. Come relax and enjoy such house specialties as porcini-stuffed ravioli, pollo scarpariello and more. In such inviting surroundings, life is delicious.
Il Mulino dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations call 492-6000.
archive
