February '09 Entertainment—Celebrity Chef Connection Column

Romance is in the air and Valentine's Day is coming up. Below are some ideas to celebrate this romantic day with that someone special.

Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is offering sweethearts a Valentine's Day love potion, the Blackberry Flirt cocktail, which can be enjoyed while having an intimate conversation in the restaurant's seductive lounge. The sinfully delicious cocktail is a tempting combination of Ketel One vodka, Chambord black raspberry liqueur, Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail and champagne. Served in a chilled martini glass, the tantalizing treat is garnished with sugar and a fresh blackberry.

For more information, or to make a reservation, call 737.5200 or visit www.planethollywoodresort.com.

Twin Creeks at Silverton Casino Lodge sizzles with Lover's Passion, an original Valentine's Day concoction from Master Mixologist John DuPont. Boasting a flirty and seductive red hue, Lover's Passion contains a combination of fresh passion fruit, cranberry juice and Taittinger Domaine Carneros champagne. Served in a champagne flute and garnished with a lemon twist, this can begin an incredible evening for couples.

For more information, call 263-7777 or visit www.silvertoncasino.com.

The Sahara Hotel & Casino is offering couples Valentine's Day dinner and show package on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. The evening includes a three-course dinner for two and bottle of house wine or champagne at the legendary House of Lords Steak house and features entertainment from The Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and the Marvelettes at $129 per couple. Dinner only without show is $83 per couple.

Special Valentine's Day offering includes:

First Course Organic Filed Green salad with Cabernet sauvignon vinaigrette

Main Course Petit Filet Mignon served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, Seasonal vegetables with red wine sauce Or Grilled Chicken Breast served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, Seasonal vegetables with saffron yellow tomato sauce Or Blackened Mahi-Mahi served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, Seasonal vegetables with a pasillia sauce Or Smoked Chicken Oreccihette served with grilled vegetables and wild mushrooms with a red pepper cream sauce Or Dessert to Share Dark Chocolate Ribbon Filled with white chocolate mousse Garnished with a chocolate cigar And a cookie twill

Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 737-2111, or visit www.saharavegas.com

There are three exceptional restaurants at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Café Martorano offers a unique atmosphere that combines exceptional food with extraordinary atmosphere. Seamlessly blending cook/owner Steve Martorano's South Philly-style American-Italian comfort food with South Florida chic, Café Martorano is a unique choice.

A full menu and an a la carte menu with Café Martorano specialties will be available that include: Starters - choice of eggplant rollatini or fried mozzarella stack. Entrees - choice of pennoni cognac, orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe or veal Sinatra and lobster. Dessert - Martorano's beignets filled with chocolate hazelnut cream served with warm chocolate sauce and carmel banana sorbet.

There are three exceptional restaurants at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino perfect for Valentine's Day.

Seafood fresh from the docks and traditional New England fare updated with organic produce and unique blends of herbs and spices are featured at Búzios Seafood Restaurant along with views of the Rio's Ipanema Beach and sparkling swimming pools.

Búzios Valentine's Day menu highlights include: Starters - choice of oyster three ways or white asparagus soup. Main course - choice of pan-seared sea bass or live Maine lobster. Dessert - trio of chocolate fondue.

Set high atop Las Vegas on the 50th floor,

VooDoo Steak is a breathtaking culinary experience. Surrounded by spectacular views, diners are treated to mystical sights, sounds and flavors, as Chef Honorio Mencinas presents his specialty of Rio Dry Aged Beef or Rio Premium Reserve beef accompanied by creative and exotic side dishes.

A special three-course Valentine's Day menu includes: Starters - choice of yellow fin tuna roulade or Hudson Valley foie gras terrine. Main - choice of butter thyme basted buffalo tenderloin or baked filet of halibut. Dessert - Voodoo beignets.

All Rio restaurant reservations can be made by calling 702.777.7777.

Social House and night spot Christian Audigier The Nightclub pair up to treat sweethearts to an evening on the strip with Roses and Rhinestones, a package of romantic dining and nightlife.

To start off Valentine's night, Social House will offer a prix fixe menu featuring a sparkling sake toast and fabulous four-course meal created by Executive Chef Joseph Elevado beginning with a foie gras miso cappuccino or black truffle chawan mushi. Next, patrons can select between savory sweet shrimp seasoned with soy salt, citrus, togarashi oil and cilantro or rock shrimp over a bed of inaniwa udon noodles with lobster coral butter and brussels sprouts. For the main course, diners will decide between Colorado lamb chop with tomato curried fingerling potatoes or Atlantic cod served with preserved meyer lemons and salsify. A dessert of milk chocolate black tea panna cotta with coconut tapioca and rose water meringue is a sweet indulgence. As diners depart, a selection of gourmet chocolates prepared in-house will be presented to top off a divine dining experience.

Following dinner, patrons who purchase Social House's Valentine's Day prix fixe meal are granted complimentary admission to party at Christian Audigier The Nightclub. For couples opting for a VIP table and purchasing bottle service, Christian Audigier The Nightclub will add to the night and pop the cork on a complimentary bottle of champagne.

Social House's very own outdoor terrace and the waterfront patio at Christian Audigier The Nightclub are ideal for couples to cozy up under the stars and admire the neon lights illuminating the Las Vegas skyline.

Valentine's Day dinner and table reservations at Social House and Christian Audigier The Nightclub can be made by calling 894.7580. Social House will be open for dinner from 5 p.m. to midnight with late-night dining offered until 2 a.m. Christian Audigier The Nightclub will be open from 10 p.m. until late.

To everyone with a special someone - Happy Valentine's Day.