Columnist Muriel Stevens: Restaurants to swoon over for Valentine's Day

"After a perfect meal we are more susceptible to the ecstasy of love than at any other time."

I don't know Dr. Hans Bazli, who is credited with that bit of wit, but it's a delicious reason for dining out on Valentine's Day.

* Celebrate at Caesars Palace with a four-course, prix fixe dinner at the gracious Palace Court ($75 plus tax) served from 6-11 p.m. Included are a choice of soup or ravioli du Rayan or Scottish smoked salmon; and a choice of Caesar or mixed green salad; a choice of pan-seared Chilean seabass or rack of lamb or pan-seared beef filet with red wine sauce; and for dessert, a choice of passion fruit Bavarian cream accented with white chocolate or a strawberry Napoleon with champagne sabayon.

Linger after dinner in the elegant Palace Court Lounge where pianist/composer David Osborne romances the keys from 6-11:30 p.m.

Terrazza Italian restaurant is offering a four-course repast for $50 plus tax. Included is a salad of baby arugula, shrimp, carrots and balsamic vinaigrette; a choice of fresh pappardelle pasta with wild mushrooms or cheese ravioli or angel hair pasta; and an entree of seared tuna or double veal medallions. Dessert will be a Napoleon, with pastry cream and strawberries, blackberries and apricot sauce. Dinner hours are 5:30-10 p.m.

Both restaurants will offer their regular menus as well. Call 731-7731 for reservations.

* Valentine's Day at Mayflower Cuisinier in the Sahara Pavilion at Decatur Boulevard will please romantics with a six-course dinner ($55) that includes an appetizer sampler of stir fried oyster with scallion sauce, Chinese roast duck in a pastry cup and a crisp pouch of minced chicken. Other preludes to the entree are: saffron butternut squash soup; lobster salad; and champagne sorbet. Entree choices are wok-seared shrimp and scallops or roasted tenderloin topped with seared foie gras. Dessert is a winter white cake with Burgundy cherries in a heart-shaped white chocolate shell. A glass of Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige Sparkling Wine is included with dinner. For reservations, call 870-8432.

* Mark Miller's Coyote Cafe in the MGM Grand will honor lovers with a creative Southwestern four-course meal ($42.50 plus tax and tip) that includes a choice of appetizer -- Dungeness crab empanada or oysters on the half shell or truffled beef carpaccio or roasted vegetable tamales; a choice of salad; an entree of lobster and mussel "Love Affair" or grilled filet of beef "Cupid Style" or a "Passionate Rack of Lamb" for two or corn-crusted white sturgeon. Dessert is a surprise. Call 891-7349.

* MGM's Gatsby's will "honor lovers everywhere!" with a six-course, $95 meal (tax and gratuity extra) that begins with baked stuffed Atlantic salmon with Fanny Bay oysters and ends with "Romancing the Chocolate," a warm, bittersweet chocolate banana cake with roasted banana ice cream and guava-raspberry sauce.

The Brown Derby's bid for romantic diners ($65) includes a choice of chilled seafood or avocado and lump crab meat salad; a choice of salad or two other second courses; rack of lamb or chateaubriand for two or roasted Chilean seabass and a choice of Washington apple creme brulee or poached pear with semolina pudding or French pastries.

Tre Visi and its elegant sister, La Scala, will each offer Valentine's Day menus. Tre Visi's prix fixe is $35, La Scala's is $75.

For reservations for the MGM restaurants, call 891-1111.

* Romantic dining awaits all who venture into Harrah's. The Range Steakhouse will offer a special "Lovers Menu" for $65 per person. A spinach strudel appetizer; the Range's signature five-onion soup or a Caesar salad; a choice of entree and a raspberry almond cake are included.

Asia's bid for lovers ($45) includes walnut shrimp; Westlake or wonton soup; an entree and side dish; and mango-kiwi mousse for dessert.

Andreotti's special appeal to romance ($45) begins with a sweet pea and sauteed lobster soup and ends with a frozen souffle with hazelnut liqueur (soufflee dolce al Frangelico).

Call 369-5121 for reservations.

* Palace, Boulder, Texas and Sunset Stations will have special menu selections.

Beginning at noon, The Broiler at Palace Station will entice diners with a three-course meal that includes a seafood sampler, grilled filet mignon and shrimp and dessert.

Pasta Palace and the Guadalajara Bar & Grille will also offer special selections.

Complimentary flowers are included for the women.

For reservations, call 367-2411.

Boulder Station's Broiler will tempt hungry sweethearts with three special entrees -- grilled Muscovy duck breast ($27.99), steamed salmon ($25.99) or filet mignon roulade ($31.99) All entrees include an appetizer and dessert.

Pasta Palace and Guadalajara Bar & Grille have meals for lovers, too.

Call 432-7777.

The newly expanded Texas Station will tempt starry-eyed couples with seafood specialties at Laredo Del Mar, Italian fare at San Lorenzo, and American dining at the Stockyard steakhouse.

Complimentary roses are an added romantic touch at all three restaurants.

For reservations, call 631-1000.

Sunset Station is offering sentimental diners a variety of dining options at the Costa del Sol, Capri, and Rosalita's Mexican restaurant, where a special buffet will be available for $12.99. Complimentary flowers are included.

The new Sonoma Cellar steakhouse will woo with special dinners, and give women a long-stemmed rose and a box of Ethel M chocolates, a sweet added touch of romance.

Call 547-7777 for reservations.

Wherever you choose to go, don't fail to make a reservation. If you want to dine at prime times, be prepared for a wait at the restaurants and buffets that do not accept reservations.

Short orders

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