The day John Bennett wrote about could very well be Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, the day when lovers meet to celebrate their affections. Cupids, roses, chocolate and red wine—all are available at any number of Los Gatos and Saratoga restaurants, where chefs are creating special menus to appeal to the highly receptive senses of the enamoured.

In Los Gatos:

Mirassou Winery is opening the doors to the cave for a 6:30 p.m. candlelit dinner at 300 College Ave. Chefs Justin Perez and Shannon Gibbons have prepared a wine dinner that will include pan-seared sea scallops, roasted cauliflower soup, Moscovey duck and filet mignon, and an apple and dry fruit Napoleon. Call 408.395.3790.

A Matter of Taste, 35 East Main St., has a new chef—David Brissenden. He is lovingly designing some Valentine specials that will be complemented by pastry chef Lisa Hansen's specially baked desserts. Call 408.399.1599.

At Bakers Square, 165 Los Gatos­Saratoga Road, chocolate truffle and strawberry silk pies may be savored on the premises or taken home for a private rendezvous. Call 408.354.4733.

Crimson restaurant, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., comes appropriately adorned in the colors of the day—scarlet swags on the walls and red roses at each intimate table. Chef/owner Diane Rose is planning 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. sittings for her special lovers' dinner which hostess Isabella Bromberg says is "awesome, awesome" fare. Call 408.358.0175.

La Hacienda Restaurant, 18840 Los Gatos­Saratoga Road, is offering several a la carte entrée pairings served in a dining room filled with heart-shaped balloons and red roses. The cuisine includes filet mignon steak and lobster for two at $49.50 per person and sauteed veal medallions with white jumbo prawns for two at $32 per person. Dancing in the lounge to the music of duo Keane and West begins at 8:30 p.m. Call 408.354.6669.

At Live Oak Kitchen, 15531 Union St., owner J.D. Kim is offering barbequed beef short ribs with special appetizers and a mud pie dessert—all for $15.95. Call 408.371.7600.

Lisa's Tea Treasures at 330 N. Santa Cruz Ave., is having a "Sweethearts' Tea" with strawberry Darjeeling tea, a scone with Devonshire cream and preserves, tomato orange bisque soup, "cherub" tea sandwiches and raspberry mousse tea cakes for $18.95. As for the décor, assistant manager Sheri Nelson says, "We're always in pink here." Call 408.395.8327.

At Café Marcella, 368 Village Lane, a special event menu will include "something exceptional" by chef Nick Difu. Call 408.354.8006.

In Saratoga:

At Bangkok Palace, 14515 Big Basin Way, owner Att Young will be presenting a red rose to every woman who comes to dine on his exotic Thai cuisine. Call 408.872.1319.

The Plumed Horse, 14555 Big Basin Way, is arranging a three-course prix fixe dinner for $60, including all of the appropriate "aphrodisiacal food for Valentine romantics," according to maitre d' Josh Weeks. Oysters Rockefeller is among the offerings. The perfect finish to the feast would be a chocolate decadence dessert, he says. A violinist will soothe the diners while the Mood Swings Trio will play dance music in the lounge. Call 408.867.4711.

Hammerhead's Fish House, 5291 Prospect Road, is spotlighting live Maine lobster and filet mignon, including fresh starch and vegetables, for $21.95. Also, whole lobsters weighing 1¹/4 pounds will be available for $17.95. Dinner starts at 4 p.m. among flowers and balloons and continues "until the last one is served," says owner Richard Patane. Call 408.861.1400.

Mimi's Café, 1200 El Paseo De Saratoga, is offering for $13.99 a menu that includes French onion soup, Caesar or fresh green salad and a choice of either grilled chicken Tuscan with steamed vegetables and potatoes, chuck pot roast, Artie's fettuccine tossed with sliced chicken, or fresh king salmon. Manager Sergie Herrera says it also includes a dessert of bread pudding, chocolate bourbon pecan pie with whiskey sauce and vanilla ice cream, or a triple chocolate brownie and ice cream. Call 408.378.0778.

At La Mere Michelle, 14467 Big Basin Way, owners Michelle and Josef Masek are offering Valentine's Day guests a five-course, prix fixe dinner for $65 a person. It includes smoked salmon caper and red onion escargot, Gulf prawns in mushrooms and garlic, creamed carrots laced with ginger, a salad and a choice of breast of duck, filet mignon, rack of lamb or poached salmon. Dessert choices are profiteroles (miniature cream puffs) with hot sauce, raspberry chocolate mousse torts and cheesecake with strawberry sauce. Tea or coffee is included. Call 408.867.5272.

At Viaggio, 14550 Big Basin Way, chef A.J. Szenda is planning a tasting menu that includes several courses for $50: a choice of an appetizer; small salad or soup; and pasta or risotto that will accompany an entrée choice of either roasted venison, filet mignon and lobster tail or a seafood stew. Fresh roses will be everywhere. As a prelude to dinner, guests will be invited to try Viaggio's special love potion, "orangasm." It's a mix of Absolut vodka, sweet and sour, orange juice and cranberry juice, shaken over ice and served in a martini glass. Call 408.741.5300.

While fine food and atmosphere create a mood for love, they are no substitute for words of love spoken at the right moment. Consider these simple lines by American poet Roy Croft:

I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you ...

Now who could resist that tribute? Happy Valentine's Day!