Valentine’s Day is just a week away. Here are 14 of the kewl-est things to do in Las Vegas, from the ridiculous to the romantic (since 14 is the romantic number!)

If you prefer a cozy neighborhood restaurant

Nothing beats a romantic little hideaway close to home. My three favorites are:

• Ohlala French Bistro (Summerlin). This authentic French restaurant seasons all its food with charm. It’s the closest thing to France in all Las Vegas and that includes that Eiffel Tower on the Strip. The meals are reasonably priced. The restaurant is having a three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu for $60 a person. (Hey, it includes filet mignon or lobster and crab gratin.)
• Pasta Shop Ristorante (Henderson). This charmer is run by the family of Frank Sinatra’s personal chef. First timers get a FREE package of homemade pasta noodles, although I don’t know if this will happen on Valentine’s Day. I severely overcooked ’em since I had never cooked fresh pasta before, but I digress. The restaurant invites local artists to exhibit their wares on the wall, so you will have plenty to talk about. And yes, the food is de-lish.
• Esther’s Kitchen (Downtown arts district.) The food at this restaurant oozes with flavor. Portions are generous and the food is reasonably priced. You order at the cashier after you grab a table. I vote for the polenta.

If money is tight

 

• Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Summerlin and Henderson). The restaurant with the garden on top is offering a four-course meal for two for just $45. And if you have to work next Thursday, Carrabba’s is offering its Valentine’s Day menu now through February 17. Why should being romantic be limited to just one day?
• Pasta Cucina (Boulder Station). This casino restaurant dishes up tasty, tasty Italian fare for tasty prices. I’ve had some of the best spaghetti and meatballs in the city here.The spaghet comes with a crisp salad; don’t miss the house dressing.
• Ethel M’s (Henderson). Skip dinner and jump straight to dessert. The chocolate factory has premium chocolate tastings five times on Valentine’s Day, starting at 10 am and ending at 6 pm. The cost is just $15. You’ve got to get there 15 minutes before the tour to sign up. If you want to taste chocolate with wine, these tastings re $25 per person and start at 11 am with the last one at 7 pm. Or just buy the bon bons with booze: The Remy Martin XO cognac truffles the best. Or stroll through the lighted cactus garden holding hands, FREE!
• The Bellagio Conservatory’s Lunar New Year Exhibit. (Bellagio) All you will have to pay for is parking! I love the red hanging lanterns but seriously the family of pigs (it is the year of the pig, natch) are just too adorable.
• Billboards. Got $10? You can tell your love you love ’em by posting it on a Adomni billboard. It will flash five times during Valentine’s Day. You can pick the time so you too can watch the billboard from your car and post it on Instagram. My favorite billboard is at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara.

If money is no issue…because it’s Valentine’s Day

• L’Atelier du Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand). Of course the pricey restaurants are on the Strip. The French call Joel Robuchon “the chef of the century.” I’d have to agree. His main eatery next door is sooo expensive most of us would have to dip into our 401 (k)s. But the restaurant next door is actually affordable. The best place to sit is not at the tables but at the counter. It’s like a French version of a sushi restaurant. You just order small plates and watch the master prepare it before your eyes. My favorite expensive restaurant in Las Vegas.

If you forgot to buy them a gift

• Fleming’s (Town Square). The restaurant’s wine, dine and sparkle Valentine’s Day event is back. It includes a three-course dinner, a bottle of premium champagne and a “luxury gift” from Fifth Avenue Jewelers. This $350 dinner includes a silver open-heart pendant necklace or silver collar stays (in case you were curious.) (The top tier will set you back $1,000. with better jewelry) I think this is one of the best steak houses in Las Vegas, even if the Outback people (aka Bloomin’ Brands) own it. (They own Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill too.) This special will also be available through February 18.

If you want to do lunch

• The Stove (Henderson).  This is Chef Scott Cumming’s day time restaurant. The food is inventive, fun and all-out ah-ma-zing. I don’t eat cinnamon rolls because to me they are sickeningly sweet. Not here. The dough pulls apart with a spring in its step. The wait staff pours the icing over the bun so there’s drama too! A gift from heaven. And the egg combos are crazy. The restaurant closes at 3.

If you want to see a performance

• Ron deCar’s Event Center (Downtown). E.C. Adams, who has a voice like crushed velvet, sings sensual songs for the annual Valentine’s Day show. The showroom is a compact space so you feel like you can reach out and touch the performer. There’s a cozy dance floor and E.C. gets ’em dancing. Doors open at 5 and the show starts at 6:30. Or wait until Friday for Valen-TEASE, a show staged by the Burlesque Hall of Fame. (The proceeds actually benefit the Burlesque Hall of Fame, which is a very starched 501 (c)(3) non-profit.) Ron says the show will feature “the best burlesque Las Vegas has to offer.” Sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.
• Marriage Can Be Murder. (D Las Vegas). In addition to dinner, you can actually be in the play! Written by an actual husband and wife (so they know what’s really up!), the play has its cast seated (secretly) at your table. You have to figure out who is the actual murder, without help from any DNA data bank. Fun and funny!
• The Space (Southwest) In the main show room: The Vagina Monologues. Need I say more?

Have a GREAT Valentine’s Day, Las Vegas!

((hugs)) BETH Ellyn

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BA: Yale

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