Some LV spots spell romance

The pressure's on if you haven't made reservations for Valentine's Day dinner. There's no room at the inn at many of the most romantic spots in town.

"We've been sold out for three weeks," said Jose Martel, longtime maitre d' at Michael's Restaurant, which moved to the South Point last year after almost 30 years at the Barbary Coast.

You might recall that it was at Michael's that a desperate 11th-hour planner got turned down a few years ago even after a most unusual offer. The caller, a local heart surgeon, offered Martel a free bypass.

Dan Shrum, director of the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere, said it's the busiest night of the year.

It didn't hurt that USA Today this week included the Top of the World in a list of Top 10 places to spend a romantic Valentine's Day.

Last year, a love-struck diner had a rose in a fancy box delivered to his table every five minutes until the 11th and 12th arrived with a diamond ring. His girlfriend said yes.

Picasso at Bellagio "got hammered with reservations," said maitre d' Ryland Worrell. "We're sold out, and we got so many two-tops, it's not even funny." The most requested table: "No. 17, right at the window, with the best view of the fountains."

The second most requested table is No. 34, where George Clooney and Julia Roberts shot a scene for "Ocean's 11" seven years ago.

"We've got two proposals with rings," Worrell said. "I bring it to the table during dessert."

One year, a gentleman had Worrell put the diamond ring in a glass of champagne. But the plan almost took a horrifying turn when the woman took a couple of sips without noticing the ring.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Get-well wishes to two local icons who have been under the weather: Kirk Kerkorian and Bob Maheu. Kerkorian, 90, has been battling bronchitis and missed the "Keep Memory Alive" gala at the MGM Grand Convention Center. Maheu, the longtime alter ego of Howard Hughes, has been ailing. He's also 90. ...

Happy birthday to singing star Phyllis McGuire, a Valentine's baby. ...

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama admits he's dropped his name on occasion to get into a crowded restaurant. According to People magazine, he confessed he did it last month in Las Vegas for wife Michelle's 44th birthday Jan. 17, two days before the Nevada caucuses. During dinner he presented her with a necklace. He didn't say what it was made of, except to allow that "it wasn't fake," The Associated Press reported Wednesday. ...

Services for entertainer Freddie Bell will be Sunday. Viewing will be from noon to 2 p.m. at Palm Mortuary, 7600 Eastern Ave., with services to follow in the chapel and at graveside. A memorial party starts at 4:30 p.m. at the Italian American Club. ...

Nevada Public Radio's fifth annual online auction continues through 1 p.m. Saturday, with more than 450 items and packages up for bid. The site, www.knpr.org, had more than 2 million hits for everything from travel packages and a "Jersey Boys" dinner and show package to backstage tours of Cirque du Soleil shows. I'm down for a lunch for four, and I'll throw in a Norm bobblehead and a signed copy of my book "Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales," which should be out by summer.

SIGHTINGS

Bobby Flay and the executive team from the Food Network, getting the VIP treatment from chef Paul Bartolotta at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare (Wynn) on Tuesday. ... Lisa Kudrow of "Friends," dining at Daniel Boulud (Wynn) on Wednesday. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday: Paris Hilton, MTV reality star Kristin Cavallari, illusionist Criss Angel, Mike Tyson, Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, UFC fighter Georges St.-Pierre, Flay, Jeff Beacher, former NFL star Eric Dickerson, reality TV star Chris Nunez of "Miami Ink," former model/actress K.D. Aubert, and NFL players Antonio Pierce (New York Giants), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cincinnati Bengals), Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers), Shaun Phillips (San Diego Chargers) and Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars). ... Jay-Z and Beyoncé at 40/40 Club (Palazzo) on Tuesday for a GQ magazine party. Also there: NFL players Alan Branch, Sean Parker, Pierce, Davis and Jones-Drew, and rapper Young Jeezy. ... Jay-Z and Eve, dining with friends Tuesday at Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian). ... David Copperfield, noshing at Firefly on Tuesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Awkward moment in Hillary Clinton's campaign. I guess she told her staff to call Democrats with money, and they called Barack Obama." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.