Romance at the Casino

Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is accepting reservations for its annual Valentine’s Day Dinner on February 14, 2012.

Sue Hammons and Kelly Cathey toast with the commemorative wine glasses that diners will receive at the Valentine’s Day Dinner at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs.

When the word “romance” is mentioned, certain images often come to mind: candlelight, soft music, champagne, flowers and chocolate. That’s because all of these things have come together over the years to represent a mood of relaxation and intimacy between two people. The staff at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs will combine these ­traditions of romance on a night dedicated to romance itself at its annual Valentine’s Day Dinner, February 14, 2012.

“This is designed to be a very intimate affair,” says Sue Hammons, food and beverage manager at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. The Dog Iron Saloon dance floor at the casino will be sectioned off by pipes and drapes, completely ­separating it from the casino. Candlelit tables decorated with flowers and chocolates provide cozy havens for couples as they listen to piano music by popular pianist John Glazer and dine on a feast prepared by Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs’ own locally celebrated chef, Russell Carter, who has lent his expertise to several Tulsa area tastings and has been featured on KTUL Channel 8’s “Good Morning Tulsa” and “Chef’s Corner” on KOTV Channel 6. Carter has planned a delectable feast for the Valentine’s Dinner. Diners will begin with a salad and then may choose from smoked prime rib steak (a Russell Carter specialty) with baked potato and steamed vegetables or Mediterranean chicken with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, followed by dessert.

“This event also gives us a chance to showcase our chef’s ­talent and let people know we have an excellent banquet ­department,” says Ali Aguilar, marketing manager of Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “When people walk away from here, we want them to be satisfied with the whole experience.”

Sue Hammons agrees, and notes that this event has grown every year and created new ­memories for many. “We had someone propose during last year’s dinner,” she recalls with a smile. “A man got down his knee beside his date and asked her to marry him. She got excited and started to cry and soon many of the women in the room were ­crying as well and the men were congratulating the man who­ ­proposed.”

Sue expects this year’s event will hold promises all its own and encourages people to make reservations as soon as possible. “We will take walk-ins if we have room,” she says. “But the spaces will most likely fill up quickly—last year we had a waiting list.” The dinner is scheduled to run from 5 to 9 p.m. and is designed to allow each couple at least an hour at their table. “We find couples enjoying the experience so much they are in no hurry to leave,” Sue says.

Champagne is also provided with the meal, with each diner provided a commemorative champagne flute to take home, and the bar next to the dance floor will remain open throughout the event. Also, a casino-wide promotion will take place that evening, in which participants may win one of two packages, each including a $2,500 Meigs Jewelry gift card and a two-night trip to Branson, complete with show tickets and spending cash. You only need to have a Cherokee Rewards card to enter the contest.

If you are looking for the perfect night of romance this Valentine’s Day, be sure to call Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs for your reservations as soon as possible. Tickets are $50 per couple and can be ordered by calling (918) 283-8884. 

For more information, contact

Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs

(918) 283-8884