Columnist Muriel Stevens: Pastries (and more) are found at patisserie

Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 | 8:45 a.m.

Bellagio's maestro of the pastry kitchen, Jean-Philippe Maury, has opened Jean-Philippe Patisserie in the posh new Spa Tower.

This patisserie offers much more than pastries. Exhibited in a brilliantly designed showcase that is the patisserie's central focus are flaky croissants, madeleines, pastries and other cafe-style foods. The patisserie's wall shelves overflow with Chef Jean-Philippe's exquisite chocolates, preserves and other food items. The custom packaging design for the candies were designed by Jean-Philippe.

There are a few tables in the small shop, but the place to sit is in the handsome lounge adjacent to the patisserie. Beautifully appointed, it's a relaxing setting for a light lunch, afternoon tea or a binge of pastries. There's an irresistible selection of gelato and sorbetto.

Jean-Philippe Patisserie hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

"Two for Tonight: Pure Romance from L'Auberge Chez Francois": Leave it to a Frenchman, Chef Jacques E. Haeringer, to write a cookbook devoted to romantic dinners for two (Bartleby, $26.95). Chef Jacques' culinary roots were planted when his father, Chef Francois Haeringer, opened Chez Francois, an Alsatian restaurant, in Washington, D.C., more than 50 years ago.

Today, L'Auberge Chez Francois is in a picturesque country setting in northern Virginia and has won many awards for its classic and contemporary French fare.

Chef Jacques is the chef de cuisine at L'Auberge Chez Francois, yet he still manages to find time to write cookbooks, appear on television and romance the public with a variety of media appearances. He is currently working on a new cookbook and television show. To learn more about Chef Jacques Haeringer, visit www.ChefJacques.com.

For a Valentine's Day dinner at home, consider for dessert the warm chocolate tart on page 130. "The combination of chocolate and love is a double whammy," says the romantic chef. It's also easy to make and delicious.

Valentine dinners at Gustav Mauler eateries: Spiedini in the JW Marriott Summerlin will offer a Valentine's Day dinner for $36 per person -- gratuity and tax not included.

For the first course, diners have a choice of Parmesan-crusted shrimp with arugula salad or rolatini of asparagus wrapped in phyllo dough or lobster and shrimp ravioli topped with lobster bisque. As a main course, have the Valentine Trio -- petite filet mignon, lamb chop and chicken breast Oscar or pan-seared Chilean sea bass with sweet corn risotto and lemon butter sauce.

For dessert -- a white chocolate mousse with dark chocolate shavings or a frozen Grand Marnier souffle.

Reservations are suggested. Call 869-8500.

At Sazio, Chef Gustav's casual Italian eatery in the Orleans at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., dinner is priced at $26.99 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Sazio's Sweetheart Menu includes a choice of appetizer -- ricotta-filled ravioli topped with wild mushrooms and Alfredo sauce or spinach salad with pears, Gorgonzola, prosciutto, candied walnuts and balsamic dressing. A main course of beef tournedos with garlic mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley or pan-seared escolar with shrimp, capers, artichoke hearts and garlic mashed potatoes.

For dessert -- a French apple tart with French vanilla bean ice cream and caramel tart.

Reservation are requested, but not required. Call 948-9500.

Valentine's Day specials at Rampart Casino: The Carmel Room in the Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin will feature a number of dining specials on Valentine's Day from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., in addition to its regular menu.

Shrimp pancetta, jumbo shrimp wrapped with pancetta, masked with spicy crayfish sauce and garnished with a puff pastry fleuron is $9.

Entree choices are: sauteed Florida scarlet snapper with roasted pepper stew, $32; Cote du Boeuf, which includes a black Angus ribeye steak with wild mushroom ragout, Yukon gold potatoes and Cote du Rhone sauce, $32; and the signature Lobster Carmel, a Maine lobster with crab and artichoke stuffing, served with tempura asparagus spears, for $39.

For dessert, fried strawberries with whipped cream and Melba sauce are $9.

Reservations are suggested. Call 507-5900.

Rampart Casino's casual Promenade Cafe will feature Valentine's Day specials from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Offered are a grilled shrimp appetizer, $9; one pound of steamed crab legs with garlic butter, served with a twice-baked potato and medley of fresh vegetables, $21.95; classic Beef Wellington, $18.95; and a petite filet mignon with a 5-ounce lobster tail, served with a twice-baked potato and medley of fresh vegetables, $22.95.

A Napoleon heart (to eat, not wear) is a pleasing dessert for $5.95.

For more information about the Valentine's Day specials call 507-5900.

Short orders

Holiday time: Valentine's Day isn't the only holiday on the horizon. Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rooster, begins Feb. 9 and is celebrated throughout the month.

Super Bowl weekend is not a holiday, but it might as well be with all the fuss made about this football showdown. And did you know that more chicken wings are scarfed down during the Super Bowl than at any other time of the year? Watch out for the bones and bone up on the Heimlich maneuver, especially when you're rooting for your favorite team.