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Livin' Local: Extreme Dating – A V-Day Venture to Remember
By Lisha Ross
As February approaches, flowers, chocolates and five-star dinners beckon with sentiments of appreciation and love. Sure, tried and true shows of devotion suffice, but as a female I must admit that creativity and forethought go a long way; I’ll take a thoughtful picnic under the stars over steak and lobster at a posh nightspot any day. By no means am I saying those time-honored romantic gestures aren’t appreciated, but breaking away from the norm for one memorable night on the town–now that’s the bing, bang boom that makes your sweetheart swoon! Make a plan early and hit the town for Valentine’s Day outings as unconventional as your love.
The Sky’s No Limit for Love
I dare you to find a more breathtaking way to woo your sweetie than on Heli USA’s Apollo Night Flight. Toast to true love with a pre-flight glass of champagne and hop aboard a luxurious A-Star jet helicopter for a bird’s eye view of the city of lights from Las Vegas Blvd. to Fremont Street. You’ll never look at the city the same again, and if you manage to catch the golden hues of sunset, well, that just makes it twice as nice. Tours are priced at $114 per person. Call 736-8787 for reservations; mention the code HeliZip25 to receive a $25 discount.
For an entirely different perspective of the more rugged desert terrain, Papillon Airways, Inc. presents the Hoover Dam Tour on a deluxe EC-130 Eco-Star helicopter. It’s a wildly exciting 15-20 minute ride offering an unforgettable view of America’s largest man-made reservoir and the 2,000-foot-long dam bypass bridge. Flights depart daily from Boulder City terminals at just $99 per person. For reservations, visit www.papillon.com or call (888) 635-7272.
Zippidy Doo
If your idea of a high flyin’ good time is closer to the ground, bring your date, or double date, to see the action of Fremont Street like never before–from a zip line that runs under the arched canopy over the Fremont Street Experience. Your 800-foot-long ride begins on a platform 60 feet up, zooms over the kiosks and party animals below, and ends on another platform 14 feet high. There are four lines, so duos and groups of four can zippidy doo simultaneously. At $15 per person, per ride before 6 p.m., it’s an awesomely cheap date, to boot. Plus, the people watching and entertainment on Fremont is both priceless and free! Call 410-7999 for more info.
Tip: For uniquely vintage downtown dining, check out Chicago Joes at 820 S. 4th Street. Located inside an old red brick home, it’s a hidden gem for locals that’s been serving Italian delights for over 30 years. Call 382-Joes for reservations.
Explore the Unfamiliar
Romantic? Eh, that’s debatable, but for those seeking a fun alternative to the googley-eyed, high priced dinner for two, a double or group date night in China Town is a worthy excursion. Roll the dice at the China Town Plaza (www.lvchinatown.com) with its vast array of options like spicy Szechwan staples at Emperor’s Garden or Spicy City and traditional tea blends at Tea Station. Just take a stroll through the plaza reading menus until you find something that makes your mouth water. Or, you can take the advice of a food junkie like myself.
Get down and dirty at Cajun Crawfish (3863 Spring Mtn. Rd.; 220-5630), where the only utensils you need are your fingers. Crawfish dunked in succulent Cajun broth you’ll want to slurp up with a spoon are the stars here, but they also dish up fried oysters (did someone say aphrodisiac?), crab, shrimp, catfish, calamari, wings, corn on the cob and potatoes, plus beer to wash it all down.
Just a quick jog North on Jones from Spring Mtn., China Mama (3420 S. Jones Blvd.;873-1977) is an out of the way spot for a pot of soothing jasmine tea, renowned steamed soup dumplings and hand pulled noodles, the likes of which you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else in town.
Tip: After walking around China Town, you might want to treat your tootsies and your love bird to an affordable tandem foot reflexology massage at Good Foot Spa (4545 W. Spring Mtn. Rd.; 220-8188) or Pure Foot & Spa (5700 Spring Mtn. Rd. Ste. Q; 882-3998). No appointments needed!
A Novel Way to Wine and Dine
Who says this special occasion has to come but one day per year? Fine-tune your vino education before your hot date night at wine tasting classes offered by Valley Cheese and Wine (1770 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy.; 341-8191). Classes include Best Buys (Jan. 13), where students learn how to select quality wines under $20 a bottle, Best Selling Reds (Jan. 20), A Tour of Italy (Jan. 27), Australian Wines (Feb. 3), and Reds of Spain (Feb. 10). After that, a Valentine’s evening spent sipping wines at home or in one of Vegas’ fine tasting spots is a must.
Tip: La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway at Wynn Las Vegas, the Hostile Grape at M Resort and Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria (1031 S. Rampart Blvd.) are just a few exceptional places to indulge your wine tasting skills.
Spending a quiet evening at home? Pop the cork on one of those under $20 bottles of wine and head to the kitchen to prepare a fabulous meal. All thumbs in the kitchen? Rest easy! On Feb. 12th, Creative Cooking School of Las Vegas offers Love Bites, where students will learn how to whip up a pomegranate cosmo, prosciutto wrapped shrimp, beef wellington, potatoes, asparagus and molten chocolate cake. If that doesn’t get to someone’s heart through their stomach, nothing will. Call 562-3900 to register.
Few things stoke up those tender, hot flames like new adventures. This Valentine’s Day (or any day for that matter), make things sizzle with not-so-routine outings, provocative flavors and thoughtful plans of action. Sparks will fly, I promise.
Extreme Dating
A V-Day Venture to Remember
By Lisha Ross
As February approaches, flowers, chocolates and five-star dinners beckon with sentiments of appreciation and love. Sure, tried and true shows of devotion suffice, but as a female I must admit that creativity and forethought go a long way; I’ll take a thoughtful picnic under the stars over steak and lobster at a posh nightspot any day. By no means am I saying those time-honored romantic gestures aren’t appreciated, but breaking away from the norm for one memorable night on the town–now that’s the bing, bang boom that makes your sweetheart swoon! Make a plan early and hit the town for Valentine’s Day outings as unconventional as your love.
The Sky’s No Limit for Love
I dare you to find a more breathtaking way to woo your sweetie than on Heli USA’s Apollo Night Flight. Toast to true love with a pre-flight glass of champagne and hop aboard a luxurious A-Star jet helicopter for a bird’s eye view of the city of lights from Las Vegas Blvd. to Fremont Street. You’ll never look at the city the same again, and if you manage to catch the golden hues of sunset, well, that just makes it twice as nice. Tours are priced at $114 per person. Call 736-8787 for reservations; mention the code HeliZip25 to receive a $25 discount.
For an entirely different perspective of the more rugged desert terrain, Papillon Airways, Inc. presents the Hoover Dam Tour on a deluxe EC-130 Eco-Star helicopter. It’s a wildly exciting 15-20 minute ride offering an unforgettable view of America’s largest man-made reservoir and the 2,000-foot-long dam bypass bridge. Flights depart daily from Boulder City terminals at just $99 per person. For reservations, visit www.papillon.com or call (888) 635-7272.
Zippidy Doo
If your idea of a high flyin’ good time is closer to the ground, bring your date, or double date, to see the action of Fremont Street like never before–from a zip line that runs under the arched canopy over the Fremont Street Experience. Your 800-foot-long ride begins on a platform 60 feet up, zooms over the kiosks and party animals below, and ends on another platform 14 feet high. There are four lines, so duos and groups of four can zippidy doo simultaneously. At $15 per person, per ride before 6 p.m., it’s an awesomely cheap date, to boot. Plus, the people watching and entertainment on Fremont is both priceless and free! Call 410-7999 for more info.
Tip: For uniquely vintage downtown dining, check out Chicago Joes at 820 S. 4th Street. Located inside an old red brick home, it’s a hidden gem for locals that’s been serving Italian delights for over 30 years. Call 382-Joes for reservations.
Explore the Unfamiliar
Romantic? Eh, that’s debatable, but for those seeking a fun alternative to the googley-eyed, high priced dinner for two, a double or group date night in China Town is a worthy excursion. Roll the dice at the China Town Plaza (www.lvchinatown.com) with its vast array of options like spicy Szechwan staples at Emperor’s Garden or Spicy City and traditional tea blends at Tea Station. Just take a stroll through the plaza reading menus until you find something that makes your mouth water. Or, you can take the advice of a food junkie like myself.
Get down and dirty at Cajun Crawfish (3863 Spring Mtn. Rd.; 220-5630), where the only utensils you need are your fingers. Crawfish dunked in succulent Cajun broth you’ll want to slurp up with a spoon are the stars here, but they also dish up fried oysters (did someone say aphrodisiac?), crab, shrimp, catfish, calamari, wings, corn on the cob and potatoes, plus beer to wash it all down.
Just a quick jog North on Jones from Spring Mtn., China Mama (3420 S. Jones Blvd.;873-1977) is an out of the way spot for a pot of soothing jasmine tea, renowned steamed soup dumplings and hand pulled noodles, the likes of which you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else in town.
Tip: After walking around China Town, you might want to treat your tootsies and your love bird to an affordable tandem foot reflexology massage at Good Foot Spa (4545 W. Spring Mtn. Rd.; 220-8188) or Pure Foot & Spa (5700 Spring Mtn. Rd. Ste. Q; 882-3998). No appointments needed!
A Novel Way to Wine and Dine
Who says this special occasion has to come but one day per year? Fine-tune your vino education before your hot date night at wine tasting classes offered by Valley Cheese and Wine (1770 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy.; 341-8191). Classes include Best Buys (Jan. 13), where students learn how to select quality wines under $20 a bottle, Best Selling Reds (Jan. 20), A Tour of Italy (Jan. 27), Australian Wines (Feb. 3), and Reds of Spain (Feb. 10). After that, a Valentine’s evening spent sipping wines at home or in one of Vegas’ fine tasting spots is a must.
Tip: La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway at Wynn Las Vegas, the Hostile Grape at M Resort and Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria (1031 S. Rampart Blvd.) are just a few exceptional places to indulge your wine tasting skills.
Spending a quiet evening at home? Pop the cork on one of those under $20 bottles of wine and head to the kitchen to prepare a fabulous meal. All thumbs in the kitchen? Rest easy! On Feb. 12th, Creative Cooking School of Las Vegas offers Love Bites, where students will learn how to whip up a pomegranate cosmo, prosciutto wrapped shrimp, beef wellington, potatoes, asparagus and molten chocolate cake. If that doesn’t get to someone’s heart through their stomach, nothing will. Call 562-3900 to register.
Few things stoke up those tender, hot flames like new adventures. This Valentine’s Day (or any day for that matter), make things sizzle with not-so-routine outings, provocative flavors and thoughtful plans of action. Sparks will fly, I promise.
Great article and businesses listed.