Question of the Day - 07 February 2015

It's hard to know where to start, seeing as every restaurant, nightclub, candy store, and gun range* has something planned for this most romantic of weekends (okay, we exaggerated about the gun ranges -- not all of them are in on it). However, as is often the case, a red-letter calendar day is frequently an excuse to hike prices, or offer some "special" prix-fixe menu or over-priced cocktail that often isn't anything to write home about. So, we've done some of the sifting on your behalf, and what follows are the events, activities, menus, parties, promos, etc. that piqued our interest, for one reason or another. Hopefully you'll find something on the list that inspires you, whether you're looking to celebrate with the love of your life ... or stick pins in an effigy of your ex :-)

DINING

There are plenty of go-to "romantic restaurants" in Las Vegas, whether you're looking for the types of views afforded by Stratosphere's Top of the World, Palms' Alizé, and Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, or the kind of classic "old-Vegas" class and charm afforded by the tableside preparations at Hugo's Cellar or the Rat Pack ambiance and red leather booths of the Golden Steer. But here are some of the venues we came across that were offering something noteworthy in terms of their menu or added extras, with options to suit a range of wallets:

• STK Las Vegas, Cosmopolitan: On Feb. 14th, couples and single minglers alike can enjoy the Ultimate Aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day Dinner. Available for $120 per guest, the set menu features three different types of oysters, including the third course of a 16-oz. New York steak topped with fried oysters, and is available with an exclusive Champagne-and-wine pairing for an additional $60/person.

• Tacos & Tequila: For something distinctly more casual, couples can enjoy a complete date night at Luxor, with dinner for two, plus two tickets to see Fantasy topless revue, and a copy of the show's sexy 2015 calendar, for $70/person.

• Over at The District in Henderson, on Sunday, Feb. 15, newcomer Whist Stove and Spirits invites couples to engage in a "three-way" prix-fixe menu ($65), or pick à-la-carte. Both options come with a complimentary glass of bubbly. The restaurant is also taking this opportunity to launch their new "Sunday Date Night" series, with dinner followed by a private screening of the much-anticipated (or at least, much-hyped) Fifty Shades of Grey. The movie-and-champagne special is available with dinner reservations taking place between 5 and 9 p.m. that day only.

• Sinatra at Wynn will be serving a three-course prix-fixe "Sinatra, With Love" menu on Feb. 14, for $125/person, which includes a copy of the "Sinatra, with Love" CD for guests to take home, plus a wine-pairing option for an additional $45 per person.

• At Aliante, FARM 24-7, the farm-to-table coffee shop, will be serving red velvet pancakes as a $6 breakfast special, along with an assortment of themed baked goods, while on Valentine's Day their Medley Buffet will offer assorted "red desserts," plus strawberries and whipped cream, and special Valentine's donuts.

• Famed local Henderson chocolatier Ethel M is offering lovers an exclusive Sweet Date Night, in conjunction with Todd's Unique Dining, with a package that includes chocolates, hot cocoa, a Valentine's Day plush bear, and a prix-fixe dinner for two at Todd's. It's available for purchase Feb. 6 through 14, with the dinner component available from Feb. 10 through 14.

ACTIVITIES

In addition to the usual suspects, like gondola rides at Venetian, or hot-air balloon trips over the city, there are some special romantic options being offered by various attractions.

• All day on Feb. 14, Park on Fremont will spread the love by offering a 15 percent total check discount to all participants in Cupid’s Undie Run, a mile-long, (outer-)clothing-optional run to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Undie Runners cab also celebrate the race with Park’s signature "Patio Pounder," comprising a bottle of Mumm's Champagne and a carafe of orange juice for $20.
• The High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ will be offering an array of couples offers on Feb 14th, ranging from the Sweetheart Package (avail. noon to 6 p.m.) for $40, which includes lunch or dinner reservations at Off the Strip or Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar, two daytime tix to ride the High Roller, plus one polaroid photo from Polaroid Fotobar and BOGO sweet treats at Sprinkles, all the way up to the $600 "Love is in the Air" package, which includes priority boarding with a personal guest service escort and a private VIP cabin equipped with a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.
• Paris' Eiffel Tower Experience is offering two express tickets, two Moet & Chandon beverages, one 8"x 6" souvenir photo, and one lock for the "locks on the bridge" feature, for $99.
• In addition to the dinner package (see above), Ethel M Chocolates for the first time will feature a Valentine's Day light display, with more than 200,000 pink, red, white, and purple LED lights set to illuminate the three-acre botanical garden from Feb. 6 to 15.

ENTERTAINMENT

• The off-Strip boutique Artisan hotel hosts a My Bloody Valentine Costume Party on Feb. 13, with the winner receiving a bottle of Ciroc or Jack Daniels (no cover for locals/ladies, $10 for out-of-state males). This will be followed on Feb. 14 by Cupid’s Fetish Ball.
• The Orleans showroom hosts the Love is in the Air Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, with a line-up including The Manhattans, Peaches & Herb, Rose Royce, Blue Magic, Deniece Williams, Ready for the World, Eddie Holman, The Persuaders, and Bill Paul. Tickets are $27.50.
• Wynn's Eastside Lounge will be offering guests complimentary hand-dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries to accompany the live vocals of Michael Monge from 9 p.m. No reservations required, but there's a $25 cover charge and one-drink minimum
• Marriage Can Be Murder at the D, where the show's special "killer" date night starts with a glass of champagne, and includes a rose, box of chocolates, and custom T-shirt for bookings on Feb. 9 through 15.
• In strip club land, Crazy Horse III will offer $99 champagne bottle specials for couples on Feb. 14, while Sapphire's "Sweethearts Special" is $250/couple, and includes an "Aphrodisiac" shot, bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

CASINO PROMOS

• El Cortez will offer its traditional Valentine’s Day Candy Giveaway to members of Club Cortez from Feb. 9-13, with one free box of candy for every 1,500 points earned while supplies last.
• Jerry’s Nugget's Valentine’s Day specials include 2-to-1 payoff on blackjacks comprising heart ace and face card or 10-value card on Feb. 14, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Bingo players receive a free heart dish filled with fragrant bath confetti throughout all bingo sessions ($4 minimum buy-in), while Uncle Angelo’s Bakery will be providing sweet samplings of mini éclairs, cream puffs, frangipanes, and canolis on the casino floor from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with Station Casinos, with their box of chocolates giveaway on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for guests who earn 300 base Boarding Pass points the day of the giveaway (no point redemption required, however).

ANTI-VALENTINE'S

Recently dumped? Or just not feeling the love this year? Don't worry, Las Vegas has some ideas for you, too!

• Due & Proper at The District is hosting a Voodoo Valentine night: Bring a picture of an ex and you get a free spin on The Wheel of Death, plus a complimentary voodoo doll, and you can wash away your bitterness and heartache with $8 "Dead Rabbit" cocktails. This night only, additional Death Wheel spins are available for $8, for a shot at more multiple shots (of the drinkable variety) to drown your sorrows.
• Hyde Bellagio hosts Marilyn Manson’s Black Heart Ball Feb. 14, with DJ Crooked on the decks and The Pale Emperor weaving his dark spell.
• If you're really in need of some un-romancing and catharsis, Machine Guns Vegas is taking the opportunity to introduce a new "Just Divorced" package, open to the recently un-hitched and up to four guests to celebrate the divorcee’s new independence by utilizing wedding memorabilia for target practice. The "Just Divorced" experience is priced at $499 and includes 40 rounds on a 1919 mounted belt-fed machine gun for the divorcee, plus 10 rounds on a black or pink M4 for their guests, and complimentary transportation to and from the shooting attraction.