EAT
Valentine's Day Edition
The Classic
In addition to their always-impressive menu, Salt Creek Grille will play coy with lovers of both surf and turf with the Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail special served with au gratin potatoes. The exquisite Chardonnay Chicken stuffed with goat cheese and herbs will tantalize more monogamous diners. The truly noncommittal may select from the Brunch spread until 3 p.m. Ladies will be gifted with a flower. All will enjoy the background serenade of live music; 222-9999

The Sexy Foreign Accent
Infuse some spice into your relationship with a south-of-the-border trip to Sabor Cocina Mexicana. Regulars know that dining at Sabor is always a sensuous experience, but the passion peaks with their candle-lit three-course dinner special. One choice: the Chilean Seabass, served with sweet corn sauce and poblano rice, followed by chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne; 259-9002

The Proposal
We can't think of a better place to pop the question - any question, in fact (like, "Can we buy a boat?") - than on the Scarlett Belle Valentine's Dinner Cruise. Stare longingly at each other, and the view, as the luxurious paddlewheel river boat glides through the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. The all-inclusive experience ($140 per couple) includes shrimp cocktail appetizers, salad, choice of beef, salmon or vegetarian entree and chocolate fondue dessert. Formal attire required; 805-290-5371

The Faithful
All he wants for Valentine's Day is permission to wear jeans. Grant him his wish for a change, and - heck - buy him a beer while you're at it. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be all pomp and circumstance. Relax and enjoy yourself at Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Company. Now accepting reservations, Wolf Creek's special Valentine's menu will include desserts that will make you drool, even if your date's a dud; 263-9653

The Soul Mate
If your love is like a fine bottle of wine - full-bodied, flavorful, worth savoring - then there is no other place to raise your glass to romance than All Corked Up. On Saturday, February 13, the restaurant and wine bar will host the band Acoustic Soul for your listening pleasure as you partake in ACU's rich food and drink offerings from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Full details are available online at www.allcorkedup.com; 799-7979

The Hot Tamale
Invade each other's space - in an oh-so-good way - when you share a dinner for two at a very special price: Parillada for $28.95; Steak & Shrimp for $31.95; Halibut Steak for $28.95; or Chicken Sonora for $24.95. El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant in Canyon Country (252-5599) and Presidente Mexican Grill in Saugus (297-7244) are also top picks for a "Who cares about Valentine's Day, anyway?" party at the bar.

Make their day with a surprise bouquet!
Everyone expects flowers on Valentine's Day. Go the novel route this year and send flowers on Monday, February 8. That way, your loved ones will have a chance to enjoy their blooms for a full work week before the Sunday holiday. Significant others will appreciate the build in romantic anticipation, but don't forget your sisters, mom, and single gal pals, either. Everyone deserves to feel the love in February!
Acton Creative Flowers 269-9326
Bloomies Florist 254-2306
Charmaine's Bouquet Canyon Florist 297-3100
Florals by Celebrate 255-0255

DRINK
Double Down
A new seasonal brew - Oggi's Double Red Rye - has beer lovers "hopping." (Sorry. Couldn't resist.) The deep-amber drink, brewed with four types of hops, plus dark crystal and extra-dark crystal malts, has a nice caramel malt character. It'll keep you warm on a chilly winter night, too; this baby packs 8.3 percent alcohol volume. Available for a limited time at Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co.; 252-7883

Port-ly Pleasures
Go to any event serving Port wine and you'll see movers and shakers making a beeline for a pour. What's all the buzz about? Port wine is fortified with brandy, yielding a sweet red wine, but also comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties. Often served after a meal, the richness of the wine is enhanced when paired with nuts, dried fruit, cheese and chocolate. Originating in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal in the mid-18th century, Port has become reminiscent of a time of elegance, wealth and refinement throughout the ages. Join Vino 100 proprietors Lil Lepore and Shari Frazier for Port Night on Wednesday, January 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring several varieties of Port elegantly paired with cheese and chocolate. $20 per person. Reservations required; 294-6886

How's this for a Saturday night special?
At MB2 Raceway, when you buy one race at the regular price, your date races for just $5. That's one (affordable) way to get hearts pounding before Valentine's Day. Check out www.mb2raceway.com for details; 866-986-RACE

PLAY
Super Bowl Edition
Couch-potato coaches may prefer to take Hacienda's highly-addictive party platters to go, but the real energy's gonna be at the bar. With drink specials that are sure to inspire end-zone dances and half-price appetizers, too, everyone wins (unless you're a Bears fan); 252-8074

On Sunday, February 7, you can wait three hours for the pizza guy to show up or you can take matters into your own (Heisman-worthy?) hands. The Kona Crisp offers island-style catering options that will please everyone. Try the BBQ fixings platters including a variety of house smoked meats, special BBQ sauces and freshly-baked buns. The Kailua pork, brisket, tri-tips, half chickens and tender St. Louis-style ribs are truly special. Round out your order with fresh, crisp salads, hot and cold sandwich trays, fresh fruit and veggie trays, tasty sides and the always-yummy Kona Brownies for dessert; 287-3123

Football lovers, Heaven called. The connection was spotty, but we still took a message for you: "Coors Light Girls with free giveaways... Nine HD-TVs... $6 pitchers of beer." Wings, Pizza N Things starts the party early with the previously-mentioned celestial combo, plus dine-in specials beginning at 11 a.m. The food and drink promos run all day long, including $2 domestic bottles, 40 percent off bottles of wine, "buy one, get one free" large pizzas and 10-wing orders and a free large fry order to anyone wearing a Super Bowl team jersey. Super Bowl squares are also discounted; buy one, get two free. Or, take the party home with a free appetizer (Stuffed Jalapenos, Texas Toothpicks or Fried Mushrooms) when you order 50 or more wings to go; 295-1000

Some people prefer to balance sweaty, testosterone-laden arena-style sports with a generous serving of culture and class. Or, they want a lady friend to tag along for the ride, and she won't get within 30 yards of a sports bar. Regardless of your motives, New Moon has what Super Bowl fans are looking for: Happy Hour deals all day long. Enjoy $2 domestic beers, $3.50 margaritas, appetizer specials and $1 off all other drinks; 257-4321

Best. 'appy Hour'. Ever.
Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., T-Bo's House of BBQ will be your new decompression zone - because Chef McCLean is inviting you to "Appy Hour." The $4 appetizer options include Mad Dog Bites (a must-try corndog with attitude), Famous Hot Links (sliced, corn battered, fried and served with chipotle sauce) and the Fry Sampler (onion rings, sweet potato, steak and skinny fries). Wash it down with $4 mixed specialty drinks like Lynchburg Lemonade or Tennessee Jack and Coke, or go for $3 beers on tap (New Castle, Sam Adams Seasonal, Fat Tire, Lost Coast Great White Ale and many more...). And if "Appy Hour" is normally "Happy Meal" Hour, treat the kids to the Fireman's Brew Root Beer. Brewed locally, 10 percent of each glass will go to the Fallen Firemen's fund; 250-2100