Cupid’s annual celebration might be right around the corner, but when it comes to romantic dining in Las Vegas, any day of the year can feel like Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s mid-February or mid-August there are dozens of romantic restaurants to choose from and most have incredible decórs and views to go along with their gourmet delights.

Here is a quick run-down of a few favorites:

Romantic Restaurants with a View

Guests lucky enough to get a patio seat at Picasso can view the spectacular Bellagio fountain show along with their gourmet dinner.  Tastefully decorated, Picasso features the French and Spanish flavors from the regions that inspired Pablo Picasso, as interpreted by master chef Julian Serrano. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call 866-259-7111.

One of Vegas’ best epicurean gems is located northwest of the Strip in the Lakes District. About a twenty minute cab ride from either downtown or the Strip Marche Bacchus has been a local’s favorite for years. The patio seating around the man-made lake is so serene and quiet you feel like you’re at someone’s house. Picking out a wine in the attached wine market to accompany your meal means you can afford dessert. Marche Bacchus is small and intimate, so be sure to call (702) 804-8008 for reservations.

Another great option for patio dining that features a moderately priced menu is Mon Ami Gabi located outside Paris Las Vegas. In addition to being open for dinner, the gourmet bistro is also pen for lunch and week-end brunch. Sitting right along the Strip, it offers lots people watching and one of the best views of the Bellagio fountains.

Another quality gourmet restaurant with a view at Paris Las Vegas is the Eiffel Tower Restaurant located atop the iconic tower. Other great views: Nove Italiano in the Palms Fantasy Tower, Top of the World at the Stratosphere and the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay.

(For just a drink with a view, check out Mix atop the THEhotel at Mandalay Bay tower.)

Excellent Italian Restaurants

French restaurants don’t have a corner on romantic fine dining in Las Vegas. For those who love great Italian food, Valentino’s at the Venetian has been winning epicurean awards ever since it opened in 2003. One reason is their attention to detail. For instance they smoke their salmon for 23 days in-house and Chef Luciano Pellegrini uses wild mushrooms, goat cheese and other exotic ingredients in secret, unbelievable top-chef ways.

Nove Italiano at the Palms has a great view and is another excellent choice for Italian food in Las Vegas. Note: like the Palms resort itself, Nove Italiano generally attracts a younger, sexier crowd, due in part to its location just below the Playboy Club in the Palms Fantasy Tower. Call (702) 942-6800 for reservations.

Other gourmet Italian restaurants on or near the Strip are: the exclusive Sinatra’s at the Wynn, Wolfgang Puck’s Trattoria del Lupo inside Mandalay Bay, the old school wise guys and local’s favorite Piero’s at 355 Convention Center Drive and Il Mulino at New York New York.

Excellent French Restaurants

Many of the best French restaurants in Las Vegas also have great the best romantic views (see above). The aforementioned Marche Bacchus in the Lakes District, the Eiffel Tower Restaurant and Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas compete with Le Cirque at the Bellagio for best French food in Las Vegas. Reservations are a must at Le Cirque, (866) 259-7111

Another excellent French restaurant in Las Vegas is Andre’s at the Monte Carlo. It offers an excellent French Nouveau menu along with a separate cognac and cigar bar to continue your conversations after dinner.

Excellent Seafood Restaurants

For gourmet seafood lovers, the exquisite Italian dining experience at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at the Wynn will also make you immediately start planning your return visit. Specializing in Italian seafood, chef Paul Bartolotta uses sea bass, purple snapper, turbot and a host of other types of fish in so many spectacular ways he won the 2009 James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef Southwest (that’s best chef for the entire southwestern United States!). Mostly he likes to roast them whole and serve them by weight, but the menu is also full of classic Italian fare. Reservations required, call (888) 352-3463.

Other top quality, romantic seafood hideaways: Sushi Roku at Caesar’s Palace, The Tillerman at 2245 E. Flamingo, the brand new American Fish at Aria and Hugo’s Cellar downtown at the Four Queens.

For a run-down of Best Steakhouses in Vegas click here .

For those looking to cover all tastes, check out Charlie Palmer’s Aureole inside Mandalay Bay. Known for their four-story wine rack and award winning blend of European and American cuisine, they feature an excellent Parallel Tasting Menu that will delight your taste buds, fill your belly and make you smile. Whether you do the tasting menu or not, it’s hard to get out of Aureole for anything less than $100/pp ($150/pp with wine), but for those who want to celebrate a special occasion, you won’t be disappointed. (Reservations strongly recommended, (877) 234-6358.) Note: Aureole has added a Happy Hour from 5:30-7PM nightly featuring 2-for-1 pricing on all wine, beer and cocktails in both the downstairs lounge and the upstairs wine lounge!

Looking for a romantic place to stay in Las Vegas? Check-out our Top Romantic Getaways in Vegas.

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Plan ahead! The holiday season is over and new year resolutions are probably being tested, but Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, so plan ahead now for a romantic getaway in Las Vegas.

Anytime of the year is great time to indulge in a romantic getaway.  Vegas gives you the option year-round,  but this time of year comes with a few extra reasons.  First and foremost, the elegant spas in some of the resorts. Secondly, the easy access to fine dining. Some people might argue that entertainment should be the next reason, but this time of year I put weather third.  Fifty-five to seventy degrees and sunny is without a doubt a great time of year to go beyond the Strip and explore other parts of Vegas and the Mojave. (check back soon for “Vegas in the Spring: Outdoor Recommendations”!)

For romantic getaways in Las Vegas, two of the best spa-oriented resorts are Paris Las Vegas and Bellagio.

Paris Las Vegas

Romantic getaway packages are designed to fit a range of travel budgets at Paris Las Vegas resort. In 2008 they redesigned  the rooms on the top floors of the hotel. These super luscious “Red Rooms” offer sensuality and sophistication for all romantics.

Cagley & Tanner’s contemporary, fun design gives way to clean, marble bathroom layouts in each room. The hip color palettes and signature sofas shaped like plump, puckered lips make staying at Paris Las Vegas especially memorable. The rooms include modern technology like 42″ plasma-screen HDTVs and iHome units that combine iPod dock, alarm clock, radio and stereo sound. The Premier Red Room suites offer sweeping Eiffel Tower and pool views and normally run from $100-$300/night depending on demand. Click this link for current promos at Paris the hotel.

Warning! Strolling around the casino or stepping outside to enjoy the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower can easily cause spontaneous hand-holding — which is exactly what makes any visit to Paris Las Vegas a perfect romantic escape. Even for those who wish to stay somewhere else, the resort offers one of the best romantic experiences for a very affordable price. Go ahead and share a kiss 460 feet above the Las Vegas Strip atop the Eiffel Tower Experience (tickets range from $7.50 – $22).

The Restaurant Eiffel Tower built one hundred feet above the Strip offers one of the best French fine dining options in town. (call 702-948-6937 for reservations) For those seeking the quintessential French bistro experience, Mon Ami Gabi, located right along the Strip is open for dinner and also for lunch and weekend brunches. (dinner and brunch reservations recommended, 702-944-4224)

Bellagio

The Bellagio resort has been a premier destination for romantics ever since it opened in October 1998. Need to be reminded? The room, spa and restaurant options at this resort are among the best in class.

For those who can afford to really splurge, “Bellagio’s Romance Retreat“ package includes:
* One Night Lakeview Cypress Suite Accommodations
* Limo Transportation to and from McCarran Airport
* 50 minute Couples Massage at Spa Bellagio
* Dinner for 2 at your choice of either Picasso or Michael Mina

There are other perks too, like chocolate covered strawberries and a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot brought to your room. The package price of $995 is high, but the experience is guaranteed unforgettable. Call the Bellagio at 1-888-987-6667 for reservations.

The Bellagio Spa also offers a “Couples Pampering Package” for $350 which includes manicures and pedicures in a private, candlelit room, with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, followed by
an herbal-infused massage for the legs, feet and hands. This package does NOT include a room, but you’ll be floating on air when you leave, so you won’t care.

Other decadent Bellagio Spa deals can be found here.

Of course, fine dining abounds at the Bellagio. Picasso, Chef Julian Serrano’s AAA Five Diamond Award winning restaurant featuring a blend of French and Spanish cuisine located alongside the fountains is urban, modern and delicious. The colorful and jubilant atmosphere of Le Cirque, another AAA Five Diamond Award winning restaurant, is another excellent option.  (Reservations are necessary for both restaurants, especially on week-ends. Call 702-693-7223 in advance and ask for a window seat.)

Click here for a look at other romantic dining options in Las Vegas.

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Although known primarily for its French cuisine and excellent view of the Bellagio Fountains, the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas offers an excellent array of mouth-watering steak and lamb dishes as well. The Eiffel Tower is one of the best choices for a romantic dinner, or any couple or group that can’t decide on one specific type of cuisine. Save room for dessert no matter what you order. Classy, not casual dress code. Open for lunch and dinner. Call (702) 948-6937 for reservations.

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