It's almost February, the month for Sweethearts. Go ahead, buy a heart-shaped box of chocolates and a dozen roses. Many restaurants around town offer Valentine's Day specials, so you can go the traditional route for dinner, too. But if you're looking for something new, try one of these Downtown dates and surprise your beloved with a little whimsy.

The Down Home Date. Start with a Blackened Voodoo beer from Louisiana at Miller's. If it's Sunday, Wednesday or Thursday, catch a few bars of swinging strings, sax or trumpet while you sip. For dinner at Maya, try pimento cheese fritters, ribs and collard greens. Who knew Southern food could be so sophisticated? With red velvet cupcakes from Cappellino's Crazy Cakes for dessert, you'll think you've gone from down home up to heaven. Catch Wanda Jackson, the Queen of Rockabilly, playing February 11 at The Jefferson Theater. End with a bourbon nightcap at Fellini's.

The Romantic Date. Pretend you're on your honeymoon in Italy as you sip a glass of Prosecco at Siips. Inhibitions slightly loosened, stroll to Derriere de Soie to try on lingerie. Catch a romantic comedy at the Regal Downtown or something edgier at Vinegar Hill. What else but oysters at Hamilton's or Blue Light Grill and Raw Bar, followed by chocolate from Gearharts? The night never ends when you book a room at the Omni.

The Asian Date. After dumplings to die for at Marco and Luca's. Stop at Oyster House and browse the East Asian antiques, then surprise your date with some Oriental lilies from Hedge. Head to Bang for an elegant version of Asian tapas (try haricot vert tempura "fries" with spicy garlic sauce if you're adventurous). Finish with Splendora's for green tea gelato or The Tea Bazaar for green tea.

The Local Date. Stop by Sidetracks and check out the special selection of CDs by local musicians. Sip a Virginia wine at Siips. Take your date to "This is Not a Pipe Dream" This live play is presented by our local treasure, Live Arts, with local talent (Feburary 3-18. Dinner at The Local is an obviously delicious choice. The local "Rag Mountain" trout stuffed with chorizo and parmesan will leave you thanking the distant stars that you get to live in Charlottesville.

The Eco Date. Start the date by walking, taking the bus, or climbing into your Hybrid. Or better yet, hold on tight to your date on the back of a red Vespa. Stop at Blue Ridge Eco Shop for last-minute Valentine's gifts, such as a recycled paper bead necklace or tumblers made out of recycled Corona Light bottles. Enjoy organic fare, such as arugula salad with truffle oil and lamb curry at Revolutionary Soup. Then head to Mud House for fair-trade coffee and organic, homemade treats.

The Hot and Cold Date. Are you one of those couples with an electric blanket that you can program, one side hot, one side cold? Then this is the date for you. Put on your skates and pretend you're an ice dancer at Main Street Arena. Warm up with fondue at The Melting Pot. Follow up with ice cream at Chaps, then a hot toddy at the bar at C&O.

The Literary Date. Whether you want to serenade your date with a John Donne love poem or thrill her with a thriller from John Grisham, stop by New Dominion Bookstore for all your new book needs. For something old or rare, try Blue Whale Books or Daedalus. Eat Proustian madeleine cakes at Java Java. Buy Freudian slips at Urban Outfitters. Wax poetic at the Free Speech Wall, and let your creative juices flow, with the delicious "design your own pasta" at Eppie's. 

Date with a View. With dinner at The Pointe, the Omni Hotel's restaurant nestled in a seven-story atrium, you can be above it all. Take in the sights of the whole mall, while toasting your Valentine, any day of the month. And if you really want to see some awesome sights, come to the mall on the first Friday of the month, when art galleries hold their monthly openings.

Those are eight dates, but there are endless possibilities. New performances and films are added to the calendars at the Paramount, the Regal, Vinegar Hill, Live Arts and The Jefferson throughout the year, so check often. Keep warm, and have a great date!
--by Sharon Harrigan