CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Buffet at Wynn; Cafe Bellagio; Poppy Den.

In sunny Vegas, the spring’s warm desert air finds diners antsy to end their hibernation and return to their beloved sunlit dining hot spots—eateries bursting with the color and fragrance of fresh flowers. Sure to be a new favorite is Poppy Den, which bloomed at Tivoli Village this year. At the trendy Asian gastropub, helmed by former Top Chef All-Stars contestant Angelo Sosa, the bright crimsons and oranges of poppies are reflected in everything from the wall décor to the furniture. With its sprawling patio, the restaurant’s poppy garden—set to flourish this spring—will offer the prettiest seats in the house, with a variety of flowers and herbs that play off the restaurant’s dishes. “People love dining among flowers, because there’s a disconnect from nature when you live in an urban place,” Sosa says. “I like to provide my customers with an oasis to escape to.” Tivoli Village, 702-802-2480

Café Bellagio
For Strip dining among flowers, there’s perhaps no better view in town than at Café Bellagio, which sits adjacent to the famed Conservatory & Botanical Gardens—one of the city’s most staggeringly busy attractions. With quite a few coveted tables near the flower displays, the open, airy Café Bellagio is the hotel’s casual-with-a-view destination. Wait times can reach an hour, which leaves enough time to peruse the garden’s seasonal displays before your meal. Bellagio, 702-693-7111

The Buffet at Wynn
Wynn Las Vegas’s extreme attention to detail and presentation extends to its venerable buffet, which features a stunning array of tropical plants, fruits, and luxe flowers such as chrysanthemums, calandivas, hydrangeas, and begonias. The entrance is lined with a hedge of lady and kentia palms, plus two Ming Aralias and overgrown peace lilies, while schefflera plants, bird-of-paradise flowering plants, Philodendron “Xanadu,” and tall dracaenas enhance the restaurant’s interior. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3340

Serendipity 3’s famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. The Caramel Corn Shake at I Love Burgers.

Burger Bar
At Burger Bar, patrons can create a custom shake with premium ingredients such as Godiva chocolate liqueur, butterscotch morsels, Disaronno amaretto, and fresh fruit. Or trust the pros: The Pumpkin Spice milk shake, made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, marshmallow cream, graham crackers, and vanilla ice cream, is delicious year-round. Mandalay Place, 702-632-9364

Cheeburger Cheeburger
The moo-vers and shakers at Cheeburger Cheeburger, in southwest Las Vegas, promise milk shakes with more than 1,285,000 flavor combinations. Get nostalgic with a peanut butter and jelly or cinnamon bun shake, or try drinkable desserts like bananas Foster and strawberry cheesecake. 8390 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702-220-3912

Gordon Ramsay BurGR
A divine drink has come out of Hell’s Kitchen, and it’s now available at BurGR. This new, modern spot, which is open until 2 AM on weekends, serves a twist on two dessert favorites: milk shakes and pudding. The unconventional combination of thick, frothy shake and smooth pudding is a sweet pick-me-up. Try the chocolate and hazelnut pudding with coffee shake, topped with a praline cookie. Planet Hollywood, 702-785-5555

Holsteins
For the tastiest way to tipsyville, head to Holsteins for alcohol-infused milk shakes. The most popular of its “bam-boozled” shakes is the Drunken Monkey, a delicious combination of Reese’s peanut butter cups, bananas, malt, and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur. Feeling nostalgic? The Cereal Bowl mixes Absolut vanilla vodka with Cap’n Crunch cereal. The Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7940

I Love Burgers
Located in the heart of The Shoppes at The Palazzo, I Love Burgers blends the lovable elements of a classic burger joint with the innovative options of a modern restaurant. Its most popular milk shake, the Blueberry Panshake, is a perfect example, combining fresh blueberries, chunks of pancake, maple syrup, and vanilla ice cream. Caramel Corn and Tahitian Vanilla Bean are also delicious options, all of which can be spiked by request. The Palazzo, 702-242-2747

Meatball Spot
Ride your Vespa to the most charming spot in Town Square, where even milk shakes have an Italian twist. After leaving Bacio at Tropicana, the Strip’s sexiest chef, Carla Pellegrino, has a new venture, home to delicious meatballs, pizzas, a gelato bar, specialty cocktails—and the decadent Strawberry Shortcake milk shake, made with vanilla cake, strawberry purée, strawberry gelato, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla ice cream. Other favorites are the Peanut Butter Paradise and the Cookie Explosion. Town Square, 702-641-7768

Serendipity 3
The Sin City extension of the famed New York City restaurant that’s been a setting for several films, Serendipity 3 offers a creative array of milk shakes as buzzworthy as its most famous, Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. No campfire is necessary to enjoy the Toasty S’mores shake, and the Monkey Business Banana Walnut is the best thing since sliced banana nut bread. Caesars Palace, 702-731-7373

Steak ’n Shake
The ’50s-themed Steak ’n Shake is a major-league malt shop: The shake selection is so massive that it’s been divided into three categories. Classic milk shakes feature single flavors, while Side by Side shakes like Strawnana and Vanocolate offer customers the best of both worlds. Lastly, specialty milk shakes, such as Red Velvet, Turtle Caramel Nut, and Mint Cookies ’n Cream, will convince anyone that there’s always room for dessert. South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, 702-796-7111

After 50 years of marriage, the Goodmans still eat dinner together almost every single night.

Former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman can’t stress enough that in his marriage to current Mayor Carolyn Goodman, every day is Valentine’s Day. “It’s just another day to wake up with a big kiss and tell each other we love each other,” he says. “But we do that every day.” Oscar was once dubbed “the happiest mayor in the world,” and the way he describes his blissful marriage, it’s easy to see where he gets his rosy glow. The famously inseparable duo, who celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, receive constant attention from the public. So much so that they often forgo popular, pricey restaurants for tiny, off-the-beaten-path venues so they can truly dine à deux. “But I love my wife’s cooking, so I look forward to when we can have a home-cooked dinner more than anything,” he says. “She’s the best cook in the history of the world.” When the busy mayor is too busy to whip up something for her husband, the two lovebirds hit up their go-to spots all over town, rarely eating dinner apart. Oscar had a hard time picking his favorites: “You can’t have a bad meal in Las Vegas.”

Osaka Japanese Bistro
When the mayoral couple are craving Japanese, they hit the West Sahara Avenue location of Osaka, a local’s favorite sushi spot. There it’s easy to see how in sync the duo are when it comes to sharing a meal. “She orders a sukiyaki without the tofu and lets me share, which is nice,” he says. “And we get the big bottle of Kirin beer and split that and then usually some sushi and split that. Of all the places we go to that we split things, that would be the place.” 4205 W. Sahara Ave., 702-876-4988; 10920 S. Eastern Ave., 702-616-3788

Oscar’s Beef, Booze, & Broads
His namesake restaurant, Oscar’s Beef, Booze, & Broads, opened at the Plaza in 2011 to much fanfare. “I have my special martini there,” he says. “They pour me the Bombay Sapphire in a huge glass, and they put a jalapeño in it.” Aside from having face-time with diners, the romantic atmosphere lets him and the missus sneak in some date time as well. “When you go into the dome, you are overlooking the Fremont Street Experience with all the iconic lights that made Las Vegas famous,” he says. “The steaks are first-class, the service is good, nobody bothers you, and you can have a really romantic evening there.” His recommendation for a couples date is sharing his own preferred order: Oscar’s bone-in prime rib. (Carolyn is also partial to the Alpine Village Famous Chicken Supreme Soup.) “I’m not a dessert guy, and she’s not a dessert lady,” he says. “But after eating there, she always wants chocolate ice cream for some reason.”  Plaza Las Vegas, 702-386-7227

Pepe’s Tacos
A Vegas institution for authentic Mexican food at a good value, Pepe’s Tacos frequently welcomes the Goodmans to any of its three locations, where Oscar says the tilapia is waiting for him upon arrival and where Carolyn digs into one or two chicken tacos. “If we want a nice little Mexican respite, we go up to Pepe’s,” Oscar says of the burrito, torta, and quesadilla haven. “He is a friend of ours and prides himself on the quality of his product. They treat us like a king and a queen, and it makes it very special.” Three locations.

Piero’s Italian Cuisine
A restaurant practically synonymous with the Goodman name (yes—he even has a favorite booth always waiting for him), Piero’s is a dimly-lit icon with a storied history and some of the best Italian cuisine in town. Though Goodman says it’s tough to have a meal there without people constantly interrupting him, he can’t stay away from the scaloppine Milanese. “I have the veal, where they split it in half and pound it,” he says. “It’s breaded and very thin.” Other highlights for a shared dinner with loved ones: calamari, fresh seafood salad, and linguine with clams. 355 Convention Center Dr., 702-369-2305

Salvatore’s Ristorante Italiano
An old-school gem in Summerlin’s Suncoast, the Goodmans enjoy fine Italian cuisine in this restaurant that boasts live piano music and is owned by their longtime friends. “Bob Harry is always very gracious when we go there,” Oscar says. “I like the fresh fish. They cook it with a Parmesan-type crust, and I enjoy that. Carolyn usually goes for a pasta.” Pasta is always a good choice, especially the pillowy gnocchi or any of Salvatore’s several varieties of ravioli. Meat-lovers should spring for steak or the chicken picatta. Suncoast Hotel & Casino, 702-636-7111

Since 1981, Sin City’s homegrown indulgence has been the Henderson-based Ethel M Chocolates, made with no preservatives and still handcrafted in small batches. This year, expect new gourmet collections to bring taste buds home for the holidays, plus a few retro flavors such as Nutty Meltaway, Lemon Caramel, and Honey Almond Nougat. “Each collection features many of our traditional, timeless pieces, such as Almond Butter Krisps and Satin Crèmes, along with some limited-time-only seasonal favorites such as Eggnog and Pumpkin Pie,” says Jessica Ruttman, marketing manager for Ethel M Chocolates. “This year, our packaging has been designed to give the look of wrapping paper, to appeal best to those who are looking for the perfect already-wrapped gift.”

Fan favorites include delectable comfort foods such as Classic Pecan Brittle and the ever popular Peppermint Bark. “I think people find comfort in biting into a piece of chocolate over the holidays and having it taste the same way it did when they were a child,” she says. All of the brand’s products are manufactured, packaged, and sold in the local factory, and its 19th annual Holiday Cactus Garden lights attraction continues through January 1. 2 Cactus Garden Dr., Henderson, 702-435-2655

Verandah’s Key Lime martini.

The weather outside might be frightful, but the winter cocktail menu at Verandah inside the Four Seasons Hotel is delightful. To accommodate the fireplace-worthy weather, try the Winter Sangria made with Sangiovese, Prosecco, clementines, red grapes, a cinnamon stick, and a red apple. Or shake off holiday stress with the Key Lime Martini—made with Ketel One Citroen, limoncello, egg white, Smirnoff Whipped Cream vodka, and a sugar rim—or the hot Chocolate Orange, infused with Cointreau and a burnt orange. Four Seasons Hotel, 702-632-5121

From its family history in the spirits industry to owning the Sacramento Kings to bringing Las Vegas the Palms Casino Resort, everything the Maloof family does turns gold. Now Gavin Maloof, George’s older brother, has spearheaded the launch of the super premium ZING Vodka and the dessert vodka ZING Red Velvet, both four times distilled and ultra-smooth. Though the two vodkas won’t go national until 2013, Vegas is getting the first taste—look for ZING at Lee’s Liquor and Total Wine stores. Both bottles illuminate using LED technology, making them easy to spot at the liquor store and ideal for a holiday party. Why red velvet? It’s an ode to the Maloof matriarch, whose specialty was red velvet cake. 

Bouchon Bakery’s famous Nutter Butter cookies.

“The Vegas customer is well-traveled, discriminating, and loves great food,” Keller says, adding that his coffee beans are exclusively farmed and roasted by Equator Coffee & Teas. “Our pastry chef, Scott Wheatfill, is very talented and will make items available only in Las Vegas.” With sweet and savory confections, plus specialties such as macarons, Thomas Keller Oreos (or TKOs), and Nutter Butter cookies, the 800-square-foot confectionery will be a sweet refuge from holiday hysteria.After the huge success of his French bistro, Bouchon, at Venetian, chef Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame) is expanding his small Bouchon Bakery there to a larger, two-story, street-accessible location. Expect signature pastry, viennoiserie, and quiche goodies, as well as salads and sandwiches, when the hot spot opens November 27.

“We’ll always have new and special treats to celebrate the various holidays, so there is always something new and fun to try,” he says. Once hooked on Keller’s sweets, make them at home: His fifth cookbook, Bouchon Bakery, recently hit shelves. Venetian, 702-414-6200

With more than a few Italian dining options lining the strip, Las Vegans don’t exactly need a reason to indulge. But Martorano’s is giving us one anyway: throughout October, National Pasta Month, the restaurant will offer a rotating selection of exclusive pastas. Legendary for its Famous Meatball Salad, the Italian hot spot began its month-long pasta homage last week, with a tubetti pasta tossed with San Marzano tomatoes, peas, onions, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This week brings a unique combination of bucatini, cauliflower, pistachios, raisins, and garlic topped with Italian breadcrumbs. Each week’s pasta is composed to highlight a different produce at the height of its seasonality. Look for spaghetti with eggplant and mozzarella and a grand finale baked ziti with sweet sausage and ricotta in the coming weeks. Rio, 702-777-7740

Known as the rebel child of Fox Restaurant Concepts, Culinary Dropout is the latest foodie offering to open during Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s revamp. Below dazzling emerald-green chandeliers, the 6,000-square-foot gastropub just off the main casino floor features live music and a stunning raw bar and rotisserie displaying mouthwatering cuts of meat, plus a 3,000-square-foot patio.

“The original concept of the restaurant from the Scottsdale, Arizona location is just a great hangout with comfort foods and a relaxed atmosphere,” says Executive Chef Eric Suniga. Taking cues from the popular gastro-fare trend, the new hot spot features premium sandwiches (try the turkey pastrami on a pretzel roll), beer-battered fish and chips, pork ribs that have been marinated and slow-cooked for 36 hours, and a huge antipasti selection that is outweighed only by its even larger beer and cocktail menu. Home-cooked-style offerings include juicy fried chicken, meatloaf, and jambalaya.

,p> Soft pretzel bites paired with provolone fondue go all too well with a draft brew, or a crafted cocktail such as Suniga’s favorite, the Smashed Irishman, which is a heady mix of Jameson and Guinness reduction softened with mint. Suniga says he couldn’t be happier with the “simple cuisine” he is serving to guests and is a real promoter of teamwork in the restaurant. “Our raw bar is connected to the regular bar,” Suniga says. “When we get busy, the bartender can jump back there, put on some gloves, and help out.”

To keep diners guessing, staff strut their stuff around the restaurant in their own attire instead of uniforms, one last wink at their “rebel” reputation. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702-522-8100

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RD/KABIK/RETNA DIGITAL

Just as chef Devin Hashimoto’s cuisine balances exotic offerings with Japanese classics at the new Mizumi, the massive dining space has been opened up and transformed by designer Roger Thomas into part peaceful respite, part all-out Eastern explosion.

The sushi bar and dining room set-up might be familiar to guests of the former Okada space, but the walls have been painted a stunning crimson and accented with gold, and the $2,000-minimum private Floating Pagoda Table has been revamped to match. No matter which hot table you score, diners can compose their own mix-and-match feasts from the sushi bar, robatayaki and teppanyaki grills, hot and cold plates from the kitchen, or go for the six-course omakase tasting menu.

Chef Hashimoto carried over some of his signature dishes but is constantly cycling specials to keep the menu interesting and seasonal. Live seafood is flown in weekly from prime locations around the world, including Hawaii, Spain, New Zealand, and Korea. “It is a bit of challenge when you try to incorporate ingredients that are seasonal to the States versus ingredients used in Japan,” he says. “Asians very much like the sea and live food at the table, which translates into freshness for them. It’s something that’s unique, but we do try to make sure that nothing is still moving on the table here.”

The yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño gelée, crispy onion, and ponzu sauce, and the spicy king crab tacos (in shells made of taro rather than corn), are both must-try dishes, and the seafood inaniwa pasta (very thin, al dente udon noodles) with uni butter sauce, scallops, king crab, and octopus is even more decadent than it sounds. Meat lovers will be wowed by the 72-hourbraised American Wagyu short rib and the organic Jidori chicken. For more adventurous palates, foie gras chawanmushi is Hashimoto’s twist on a traditional Japanese custard. And for dessert? Dig into the caramelized green tea crème brûlée paired with a pot of one of Mizumi’s signature teas. When you walk back onto the casino floor, you’ll be the calmest one out there. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-3463