When you think about it, falling in love is kind of like watching a horror movie. Palms sweating, heart thumping, nerves racking… but if you find the right one? A total blast and worth it every time.
Horror and love are a match made in adrenaline heaven. So it’s only fitting that the culinary team at Universal Horror Unleashed is offering a three-course (with shareable dessert), prix-fixe Valentine’s Day menu starting February 5 through the rest of the month. At $80 per couple, this may just be the only date night in Las Vegas where your food is served in the shape of a coffin. In fact, I’m betting it is.
Buried Under: Behind the Menu
Chef Ryan Casarez is the culinary brain behind the My Bloody Valentine menu, which will be served at Premiere House. He and his team sought to create dishes themed equally to horror and romance, all while meeting the high expectations of Vegas diners. “The city is such a melting pot,” Chef Ryan says. “There’s all these different types of cuisines, and Vegas doesn’t spare any expense when it comes to the food. Outside of gaming, people are coming here for that extra level of hospitality so the expectation is very high.”
Even with expectations high in the city, Chef Ryan points out that often in Vegas restaurants, there’s a lot of “rinse and repeat” happening where a handful of core menu items are served everywhere. “But there are really no restaurants in the city that are themed to this specific type of menu or producing this type of food,” he says. “We want to take seasonality into factor, but we also need something that is both horror-centric and elevates the experience from what guests may be expecting when they walk in.”
The Universal culinary teams know how to whip up spooky eats, whether it’s a yearlong menu for Universal Horror Unleashed or limited-time offerings for the annual Halloween Horror Nights event. But developing a prix-fixe menu for the month of love that is also well-suited for a horror experience? That’s a totally different ballgame.
“It’s fun, but it’s also a little challenging in a sense and keeps you stimulated every day,” Chef Ryan says. “It’s coming in and asking yourself, ‘OK, how can we take this and make it horror, but not make it a Halloween party in high school horror, and also make it even sexy?’”
And that they did! Check out the menu below, and don’t forget to wipe the drool off your screen when you’re done:
Amuse-Bouche:
- Blood Orange: Blood Orange Gelée, Whipped Honey Marscapone, Toasted Pine Nut, Thai Basil
Love at First Bite Appetizer | Choice of:
- Marrow: Shishito Gremolata, Pickled Shallot, Crostini
- Cleaver-Zanella: Heirloom Tomato, Burrata, Aged Balsalmic, Basil, Cleaver Ciabatta
Main Attraction Entrée | Choice of:
- Die-Ver Scallops: Pan Seared, Butternut Squash Puree, Red Endive, Pickled Mushroom, Roasted Pine Nut, Chive Oil
- Premiere Burger: 8 oz Brisket Blend Burger, Tomato & Bacon Chutney, Fried Onion, Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Baby Arugula, Horror Sauce, Black Brioche Bun
- Bloodline Chicken: Airline Chicken Breast, Purple Potato & Corn Succotash, Carrot Puree, Blood Orange Gastrique
Sweet Demise Shareable Dessert:
- Raspberry Mille Fenille: Raspberry Mousse, Candided Raspberry, Fillo, Powdered Sugar, Raspberry Sorbet, White Chocolate, Walnut Brittle
There is also a cocktail pairing available with the above menu for an additional charge. So if you prefer your dessert with a side of chocolate raspberry espresso martini (and who doesn’t), you’re in luck!
“I think it’s the ideal date night,” Chef Ryan says. “Everyone does prix fixes for Valentine’s Day. But what other place can you bring your date, get a little scared, get that heart rate pumping, then come down and have an amazing, romantic meal? That’s what we’re going for.”
Book your tickets to Universal Horror Unleashedand experience this limited time menu by request at Premiere House.
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