If you and your sweetheart have a sense of humor – Traterra recommends
Absinthe at
Caesars Palace. Humor is needed, as the show—while entertaining and quite good, can be a bit raunchy. Absinthe is part burlesque, part comedy, part Cirque du Soleil, and – in the opinion of many living and working in Las Vegas – the best show on the Strip.
After the show, dozens of nightclubs are ready to envelop you with high energy, loud music and crowds dressed to the nines, looking to mingle. But we bet you’re looking for a more sophisticated, intimate atmosphere. Not to worry: Vegas has you covered. The
House of Blues Foundation Room high atop
Mandalay Bay provides an exotic lounge and seven secluded chambers, including the serene Buddha and Ganesh Prayer rooms and the stately Gothic and 1856 rooms. Be sure to step out onto the rooftop patio, too. The view is unbelievable!
3900 Paradise Rd., Suite Y
You know you’re in for something special when a server starts your dining experience by washing your hands with lightly scented rose water. A succulent six-course feast follows, accompanied by beautiful belly dancers in a room decorated with elaborate tapestries and lustrous brassware. Your meal includes Moroccan shrimp scampi, marinated beef kebobs and b'stilla — a traditional chicken pie, served with hot mint tea. The restaurant must be doing something right. It’s drawn Vegas customers — including the likes of Frank Sinatra and Wayne Newton — for more than 30 years!
5030 W. Spring Mountain Rd. #2
Hop a cab to this out-of-the-way hot spot, where acclaimed chefs from the Strip go to eat after they knock off work. Raku’s authentic Japanese cuisine includes delicacies grilled over binchotan (oak charcoal), and owner Mitsuo Endo’s homemade tofu is tasty enough to entice even the most devout meat-eater!
12300 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Routinely named among Las Vegas’ best buffets (no small feat in a city chock full of them), Studio B offers more than 200 items, weekend seafood brunches and dinners, beer and wine at no additional cost, and innovative entertainment: live cooking demonstrations broadcast on giant video monitors inside the dining room.
Country style meets urban flair at Hash House A Go Go, an eatery famous for enormous portions and slightly twisted takes on farm-fresh fare. It’s especially recommended for breakfast. Try Andy’s sage fried chicken benedict, recently singled out on the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food. In addition to eggs and chicken, the signature dish piles on spinach, bacon, tomatoes, potatoes, griddled mozzarella and chipotle cream sauce.
2620 Regatta Dr. #106
At this charming French restaurant, dine along the shore of Lake Jacqueline while watching swans float gracefully by. Be sure to accompany your meal with a glass of vino — you’ve got more than 950 labels to choose from! If you like your selection, the on-site wine shop makes it easy to bring a bottle back to your hotel. Tip: Stop in on Saturday, any time between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM for a free, informal wine tasting!
5040 W. Spring Mountain Rd. #4
Just so you know: This place is a little hard to find, as its exterior signage is … minimal (OK, nonexistent). But the Chinatown gem is worth seeking out if you want an upscale sushi bar. Many say this is the best in Vegas. Take time to savor the fresh fish, flown in daily and carefully prepared and served in traditional Edomaezushi style. Be sure to try the mango sake, too!
Nearly every Las Vegas resort has its own spa. We’re partial to
Qua Baths and Spa at
Caesars Palace. New in 2011, it features 51 treatment rooms, including three deluxe couples studios. For you and your loved one,
Kama Sutra with Shirodhara is a must. During the 75-minute couples treatment, healing botanical oils are slowly poured onto the third-eye chakra (said to be where one’s intuition lives), slowly easing you into a blissful, tranquil state. While the chief intent of this extraordinary experience is extreme relaxation, you also leave with skin that’s exfoliated and silky smooth.
Before you call it a night, ascend to the top of the
Eiffel Tower at
Paris Las Vegas. As you approach the observation deck (46 stories above the Strip) ambassadors will point out unforgettable landmarks. Once you arrive, you’ll be stunned by a breathtaking, 360-degree vista.
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Reserve one of Picasso’s 16 coveted outdoor tables and watch the Bellagio’s famous dancing fountains up close as you dine on a four-course meal. Executive chef Julian Serrano’s menu is inspired by regional cuisine of France and Spain.
At Jasmine’s Sunday Fountains Brunch, visit several cooking stations for a mix of international and traditional American fare, including organic brown-egg omelets, lobster and potato cake eggs benedict, and — don’t forget dessert — chocolate fondue!
3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Sit in a private cabana alongside a glistening lagoon as you enjoy fresh Mediterranean seafood dishes created by James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Paul Bartolotta.
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
This bistro from Thomas Keller —America’s Best Chef, according to Time Magazine — presents French cuisine rooted in tradition. Choose a table inside the elegant restaurant space, or dine poolside surrounded by a beautiful garden. In addition to entrees that incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients, Bouchon boasts sinfully delicious pastries, tarts, and other assorted confections — plus a highly heralded oyster bar!