by Jake Conlee
Love is all around us this week, and Las Vegas seems to be taking Cupid’s Arrow and shooting it all over the valley. This Valentine’s Day is gearing up to be a very special weekend, and there is no shortage of things to do for you and your sweetheart this weekend, from dinners, special concerts, a certain movie opening and even anti-Valentine’s for those that are a little curmudgeonly this coming weekend.
Check out this incredible collection of what Las Vegas’ very best have to offer in the way of dining, entertainment and just all out romantic goodness.
ALIANTE CASINO + HOTEL + SPA
Aliante’s signature steakhouse, MRKT Sea & Land, will feature a four-course meal priced at $85 per person. The meal will begin with a lover’s tomato bisque en croute, followed by a sliced strawberry, bleu cheese and candied walnut salad with strawberry vinaigrette. The entrée course will offer a petite filet with stuffed lobster tail, concluding with a decadent chocolate mousse for dessert.
The Salted Lime will serve a three-course holiday meal priced at $25 per person featuring Mexican chopped salad, beef and shrimp skewers with cilantro rice and mixed vegetables, and a coconut flan for dessert.
Bistro 57 will offer a three-course menu, priced at $35 per person, beginning with an antipasto plate featuring figs stuffed with gorgonzola cheese served with prosciutto. Two entrée options will be available with the choice of fettuccine pasta with Langoustines shrimp and a cherry tomato sauce; or thin medallions of filet mignon alla Toscana with roasted potatoes and asparagus. A strawberry fruit tart will be served for dessert.
FARM 24-7, a 24-hour farm-to-table café, will offer red velvet pancakes as a $6 breakfast special along with an assortment of themed baked goods. On Valentine’s Day, guests will also have the option to enjoy assorted red desserts, strawberries and whipped cream, “val-donuts” and cookies at Medley Buffet.
BUDDY V’S RISTORANTE (Grand Canal Shoppes Palazzo)
Buddy V’s Ristorante inside Grand Canal Shoppes at the Palazzo Las Vegas is offering a special Valentine’s Day Menu $55 per person prix fixe menu; wine pairing an additional $25 per person Appetizer (choice of): Lobster Bisque – house made oyster crackers, lemon zest. Baby Arugula Salad – prosciutto, artichokes, shaved peppino cheese, pine nut vinaigrette. Entrée (choice of): Beef Short Rib – whipped potatoes, glazed carrots, onion fritto. Potato Gnocchi – wild mushrooms, pancetta, parmesan cream, shaved truffles. Dessert: Butterscotch Crème Brulee – vanilla “biscotti”
CARSON KITCHEN(Downtown)
Executive Chef Matt Andrews will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14. The menu will include five courses, priced at $99 per couple, and will include seasonal selections as well as a number of classic dishes. The dinner will begin with devil’s eggs and killer shrimp appetizers, followed by the tempura green beans and classic veal meatballs. The third course will be the newly-introduced persimmon & pear salad. For the main course, diners may choose the cocoa-espresso New York strip steak or the steelhead trout with a side of the rainbow cauliflower. The menu will conclude with glazed donut bread pudding.
Carson Kitchen will also set the mood with one complimentary glass champagne per person. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available for purchase.
CROSSROADS AT HOUSE OF BLUES LAS VEGAS (Mandalay Bay)
A very cool venue to eat, drink and be entertained is the Crossroads at House Of Blues, and they are offering a special $60 per couple prix fixe menu. First Course: Lovers Flatbread – Sundried Tomato Pesto, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese Second Course: Lobster Thermidor – Cajun Spiced Haricot Vert and Red Bliss Potatoes Third Course: Heart Shaped Box – Assorted House Made Truffles. Including some great Beverage Specials: Chandon Splits – $7. Murphy-Goode Red and White Wine – $25 bottle, $6 glass Entertainment: Crossroads will feature Woody’s Rampage from 5-8 p.m.
CRUSH EAT, DRINK, LOVE (MGM Grand)
CRUSH will bring the romance of wine country together with the excitement of Las Vegas in celebration of Valentine’s Day through a decadent ‘Taste of Napa’ prix fixe dinner offered on Saturday, Feb. 14, for $59 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $35. Dinner will begin with a Wintery Greens Salad mixed with blood oranges, roasted chestnuts and Cypress Grove goat cheese fondue paired with a glass of 2012 Heidler Grüner Vetliner. For the second course, CRUSH will serve Forest Mushroom Ravioli with beech mushrooms in a burgundy reduction, accompanied by a glass of 2011 Umberto Cesari Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva. Alaskan King Salmon with pickled grapes and braised mustard greens will be served as the main course, paired with a glass of 2011 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. The meal will conclude with an assorted plate of chocolates and cheeses served with Taylor Fladgate 10-year-old Tawny.
DB BRASSERIE (Venetian Las Vegas)
The team at db Brasserie at The Venetian Las Vegas brings to the city a unique dining experience for those looking for a fun, casual way to Eat, Drink and Flirt! This mixer meets dinner will take place at the communal dining tables featured in the bar and lounge at db Brasserie, giving guests a lively way to enjoy a fabulous meal while meeting new people.
The three course Eat, Drink & Flirt! dining experience is available for $55 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and is available Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and will finish at 7:30 p.m., allowing plenty of time to continue the party well after dinner. Reservations are a must and based on availability as seating is limited to 16 guests.
Eat, Drink and Flirt! Menu:
All guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne from Champagne Bollinger and Terlato Wines, as well as an oyster upon arrival. The bar will be open for purchase of additional beverages.
Appetizer: Maine Lobster bisque, Espelette palmier, tarragon crème fraîche
Entrée: Black truffle & Wild mushroom agnolotti
House-made pasta, celery root, parmesan, perigord truffles
Dessert: (Alternating) Tropical passion fruit Coconut rice pudding, passion fruit sorbet, toasted coconut mixed tropical fruit
Chocolate framboise Bailey’s chocolate mousse, raspberry chip gelato, Dark Chocolate cake, raspberry sauce
db Brasserie will also feature special Valentine’s Day Weekend menu additions that will be available Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 15 including a variety of items such as Foie gras torchon, Seafood plateau for two, Whole Maine Lobster, Chateaubriand for two and Chocolate framboise.
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN
Give Love — Get Love Promotion Beginning February 1st and running through February 14, guests who spend $250 or more in same day receipts will receive a $25 Downtown Summerlin gift card. This offer is valid for any store or restaurant at Downtown Summerlin and gift cards can be redeemed with the Downtown Summerlin concierge. While supplies last. One gift card per customer.
DUE AND PROPER (The District, Green Valley)
Due & Proper will leave the cards and flowers behind this Valentine’s Day. Bitter ex-lovers will enjoy drink specials, voodoo doll giveaways and a free spin on the Wheel of Death, after bringing in a picture of an ex to shred. For those who may not want to shred their ex, the Wheel of Death, specially priced at $8, will invite partygoers to take their chance on free drinks and specialty shots throughout the evening.
EL DORADO CANTINA (Industrial Rd, Sapphire Plaza)
El Dorado Cantina on Industrial is offering a special pre-fixe menu as their Valentine’s Sweetheart Menu. A true hidden gem in Las Vegas, Executive Chef Paco is cooking up love with a special selection of food and drinks for you and your sweetie. At a very reasonable $30 per person, this is a great choice for a truly romantic dinner at a truly amazing price. First course is a fresh and light House Salad or Chef Paco’s special Pozole, guaranteed to heat things up for you and your honey. Second Course is your Choice of the delicious and creamy Chipotle Chicken, grilled Carne Asada Plate, Cochinita Pibil Plate or Seafood Enchiladas. For dessert is the incredible Chocoflan, a specialty of Chef Paco.
Includes one Glass of Old Soul Old Vine Zinfandel or Robert Reynolds Chardonnay, per person
FOUNDATION ROOM(Mandalay Bay)
Foundation Room Las Vegas inside Mandalay Bay is offering an incredible menu for a truly unforgettable experience at the top of Mandalay Bay. Perched high atop the Las Vegas Strip, the Foundation Room will ensure a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day dinner.
$175 per couple prix fixe– 5-course menu
Salad: Roasted Beet Salad – Asparagus, Dried Cranberries, Hazelnuts, Chevre Goat Cheese, Orange Vinaigrette
Soup: Lobster Bisque – Crème Friache, Brioche Croutons, Chive Oil
Fish: Poached Chilean Sea Bass – Sea Beans, Aki Nori, Kaffir Lime, Lemongrass Mariniere
Beef: Coffee & Cocoa Crusted Prime Filet – Sweet Potato, Spinach, Red Wine-Vanilla Sauce
Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Tart – Raspberry & Orange Coulis, Grand Marnier Gelato
HASH HOUSE A GO GO (Multiple Locations)
On Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, Hash House A Go Go will feature specials ranging in price from $7.99 to $36.99 in addition to their mouthwatering regular brunch and dinner menu offerings. Brunch and dinner specials for Valentine’s Day include:
Raspberry and White Chocolate Flap Jack topped with fresh whipped cream ($9.99)
HH Wedge Salad with homemade blue cheese dressing ($7.99)
Grilled Swordfish served with crispy shrimp and basil pesto mash ($24.99)
NY Strip Steak and Grilled Shrimp served with smoked cheddar scallion mash ($36.99)
Homemade Strawberry Cheesecake ($9.99)
Diners receive a complimentary glass of champagne with the purchase of a dinner entree special
JUICE STANDARD(S. Fort Apache, Westiside)
In honor of the month of romance, The Juice Standard, located at 4555 S. Ft. Apache Rd., encourages juicers to love their health with the introduction of the Bee Mine smoothie, available throughout February. A delectable combination of strawberries, raspberries, Goji berries, Maca, cacao nibs, cashews, greek yogurt, agave and banana, Bee Mine, priced at $10, makes for a healthy alternative to the traditional calorie-loaded chocolates. In addition to being a nutritious option, the smoothie also acts as an aphrodisiac. Along with strawberries, a common sex-drive booster, the small doses of Maca added to the mixture are rich with vitamins B, C and E, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids, providing necessary nutrients to increase endurance and add a little extra libido.
LA CAVE WINE & FOOD HIDEAWAY (Wynn Las Vegas)
La Cave will take diners on a culinary odyssey around the world with the four-course ‘Taste of the City’ menu prepared exclusively for Valentine’s Day, priced at $59 per person with the option to add wine pairings to each course for an additional $18. The meal will begin to the north with a San Francisco-themed first course, seafood cioppino made with lobster, head-on prawn and cockle clams in a savory tomato broth, paired with a glass of Fantinel Prosecco. Diners take a trip across the sea with the second course, highlighting flavors of Venice, Italy, with a marscarpone agnolotti with crisp pork belly and winter truffles, accompanied by a glass of Bouchard Pere & Fils Bouchard Pinot Noir. The main course will give guests a taste of the Big Apple with a New York Angus sirloin with potato galette in a red wine reduction, served with Leviathan Cabernet Sauvignon. The meal concludes in the original City of Love with a Parisian-inspired dessert course featuring crêpe Suzette and cherry-chocolate gateau, accompanied by a glass of Elio Perrone Moscato d’Asti.
LOVELOCK, NEVADA
This Valentine’s Day, adventurous souls may want to visit Lovelock, about 90 miles east of Reno on Interstate 80, to lock their love. Here, travelers can add a lock with their names on it to a chain of locks behind the picturesque Pershing County Courthouse, symbolically locking their love.
Romance secured, couples may want to check out this town, a former stop on the California Trail used by pioneers in the mid-19th century to reach the California gold fields. Among the Lovelock must-sees:
The Marzen House Museum, 25 Marzen Lane. Built in 1874, the Marzen House is now a museum interpreting the area’s history, including its connection to Edna Purviance, an early 20th-century silent film star who performed with Charlie Chaplin.
Lovelock Cave, a former archaeological site about 20 miles south of Lovelock. One of the most important sites in the history of North American archeology, according UC Berkeley’s Museum of Anthropology, Lovelock Cave today stands empty, but rich in history. A half-mile hike from the parking lot will take you to cave. Be sure to download the Lovelock Cave Back Country Byway, produced by the federal Bureau of Land Management, for information on the site and a map to get you there.
MADE LV(Tivoli Village)
Made L.V. will be celebrating Valentine’s Day Just Another Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 14. If celebrating Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing – good food, good drinks and good fun await at Made L.V. Because they love a reason to celebrate, they’ve included some special menu items for the non-occasion.
EAT Truffle Fries – $8, Roasted Beet Salad – $12, Beau Soleil Oysters – $18 (half dz), $32 (dz), Linguini with Clams – $19, Shortrib Meatloaf – $22 Adult Milkshake – $10
DRINK – all $10 His Man Mule – bacon infused bourbon, ginger beer, lime, bitters. The Stiegler – absolut citron, grape fruit, bitters, stiegl radler Hers. All the Single Ladies – peach vodka, muddled strawberry, citrus soda. Hot Mama – absolut citron, lime, triple sec, ancho chile, pomegranate juice
MERCADITO (Red Rock Resort)
Ditch the roses and chocolates and go for some spice this Valentine’s Day with a special sharing menu at Mercadito at Red Rock Resort. On Saturday, Feb. 14, guests can delight in their choice of two guacamoles and salsas, two small plates, three tacos, one side and one dessert. The five-course menu is $35 per guest or $45 per guest with cocktail. Reservations are strongly recommended
POT LIQUOR CAS (Town Square)
Is that love in the air? Or just smoke? Pot Liquor at Town Square Las Vegas is offering an incredible sweetheart deal for Valentine’s Day. For just $25, you and your sweetie can indulge in Spare Me Baby: a half-rack of mopped baby back ribs, a half rack of dry rubbed and smoked spare ribs, choice of two sides and complimentary champagne. This price is per couple! Make sure you add on some great appetizers. (Fried Green Tomato Salad is an excellent choice)
SAMMY’S RESTAURANT & BAR
Love will be in the air – and on a plate – this Valentine’s Day weekend as Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar in Green Valley will offer a four-course prix-fixe meal available from Friday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 15. Priced at $45 per person, the holiday meal will begin with a soup or salad course featuring either savory lobster bisque, made with fresh herbs, cream and sherry in a rich lobster stock; or a Caesar salad. The second course will offer an option between the signature duck quesadilla, made with duck confit, pepper jack cheese, Mongolian sauce, guacamole and cilantro: or the jumbo lump crab cake, with Asian slaw and a cilantro remoulade. Guests may select from available entrées including the New York steak, a 10-ounce cut served with roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus; or the oak-roasted salmon accompanied by an Asian salad, edamame, cucumber and ponzu sauce. Dessert will feature a choice between salted caramel pudding or warm crispy mini donuts served with raspberry and chocolate sauces. Both desserts will be accompanied by a complimentary glass of champagne.
SPRINKLES CUPCAKES(The Linq Las Vegas)
Surprise someone special during the month of February with a Valentine’s Day edible gift. Say “I Love You” with a custom “XOX” cupcake box. Sprinkles Cupcakes is located at the LINQ and is a “trifecta” store featuring cupcakes, ice cream and the ATM all in one place.
TRIPLE GEORGE GRILL (Downtown 3rd)
Triple George Grill celebrates Valentine’s Day with a prix fixe menu, inviting guests to choose their partner within each course. The romance inspired menu, featuring seasonal ingredients from Downtown Third’s Farmer’s Market will be served on Saturday, February 14, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.The full a la carte menu, with Triple George Grill’s classics, will also be offered. The special Valentine’s menu begins with a choice of Bisque Of Love, featuring lobster meat and lemon crème or a Valentine Caesar Salad with crisp romaine, savory croutons and freshly shaved parmesan. The second course offers a choice of Courtship of Tartare with capers, red onion, parmesan and arugula or Triple George’s classic Be Mine Cocktail shrimp cocktail appetizer. The third course offers Secret Admirer, a Chateaubriand with peppercorn sauce, mashed potatoes and asparagus, or Bow n Arrow twin stuffed eight-ounce lobster tail, béarnaise and crab mix or Love Bird a roasted guinea hen complemented with lyonnaise potatoes, frisee salad and natural jus. The fourth course is an invitation to Fall in Love with a delicious dessert duo, including chocolate covered strawberries, and lava cake garnished with vanilla bean ice cream. The four courses of romance is priced at $60 per person, $99 per couple. A full complement of tempting love potions (cocktails) will also be offered.
WHIST STOVE AND SPIRITS (The District, Green Valley)
Whist Stove and Spirits will seduce sweethearts with a tempting Valentine’s Day menu featuring aphrodisiac dishes to satisfy any appetite. Couples will begin the romantic evening with “seduction,” offering intriguing appetizers such as pomegranate gastrique, pickled beets and burrata and truffled beef tartar. “Foreplay” will follow with mouthwatering selections including crispy potato salmon, served with gnocchi over lemon-dill ricotta with roasted turnips and carrot bombs; tender filet, alongside cauliflower puree and maple demi-rainbow carrots; and Serrano-wrapped chicken in jus, served with asparagus and truffle potato. Romantic partners will end the night with “pillow talk,” featuring sabayon with strawberries and decadent chocolate cherry cake.
Lovers may choose to engage in a “three way” prix-fixe menu, or individually select items from the special menu.
On Sunday evening, Whist will also launch their “Sunday Date Night” series with dinner and a private screening of the wildly anticipated “Fifty Shades of Grey.”
Lovers and friends, alike, will indulge in Whist’s seductive menu, with dishes including tender strip steak and chocolate cake doughnuts, topped with rich chocolate ganache and served with cappuccino ice cream. Diners can choose to add a 750 milliliter bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne, specially priced at $20. The evening will continue with a complimentary private screening of one of the most anticipated films of the year “Fifty Shades of Grey,” at the GVR Regal 10 Theatre at 10 p.m.