Junipero Street between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel. 624-5748. A special Valentine''s Day prix fixe menu features champagne cocktail, seviche of Bay scallops, cream of asparagus soup, chateaubriand carved tableside, and blackberry lallapalouza for dessert. $24.95/ person. Regular menu also available.

California Grill

DoubleTree Hotel, Monterey. 649-4511. What could be better than a dozen roses? Try California Grill''s prix fixe Valentine feast of pan-roasted salmon, peppered New York steak or pasta primavera, scrumptious sides of fig polenta, risotto corncake or twice-baked potatoes and a romantic array of desserts. All this plus a split of champagne for $39.95 per couple.

The Covey at Quail Lodge

8205 Valley Greens Dr., Carmel. 624-1581. Enjoy "One Enchanted Evening" with your honey in the country setting of Quail Lodge. A four-course Valentine''s Day meal includes appetizers of Dungeness crabcakes, quenelles of salmon, Caesar or spinach salad, and shellfish soup; entrees such as lobster tail, grilled guinea hen, eggplant and spinach lasagna or roast rack of lamb; and delicious desserts and champagne. $60/person, from 5-10pm.

Embassy Suites

1441 Canyon Del Rey, Seaside, 393-1115. A Valentine''s Day buffet includes antipasto, Caesar and pasta salad, grilled breast of chicken with artichokes and mushrooms, grilled salmon with citrus rice and Lyonaise potatoes, roast leg of lamb with rosemary sauce and roast New York strip with brandy peppercorn sauce. Plus, complimentary glass of champagne, truffles and chocolate-dipped strawberries. $25/person, includes dancing to the band Pacific Groove.

Ferrante''s

Monterey Marriott, Monterey, 647-4020. Share with your sweetie one of the best views in Monterey as you indulge in Ferrante''s Valentine''s Day menu: shrimp cocktail and Two Hearts salad followed by either bistecca al formaggio stuffed with cheese and pinenuts, salmon alla griglia served over vegetables and herbs, or pollo arosto. Your heart will beat for the special decadent chocolate dessert. $39.95/person, from 5-10pm.

Il Fornaio

Ocean Avenue and Monte Verde Street, Carmel. 622-5100. In addition to their regular menu, Il Fornaio will serve special heart-shaped raviolis, grilled lamb and fresh pastas. Save room for the rich chocolate cake, too.

Le Coq D''or

Mission Street and 5th Avenue, Carmel, 626-9319. If you''ve been shot by Cupid recently, drift down to this quaint spot and let its Valentine menu heal you. A prix fixe menu includes onion tart, followed by pear and pecan salad. Then savor rack of lamb, fresh vegetables and dessert of profiterolle pastry filled with ice cream and chocolate. $27.95/person.

La Dolce Vita

San Carlos St. between 7th and 8th avenues, Carmel, 624-3667. Regular menu plus special desserts and complimentary sparkling wine.

Lugano Swiss Bistro

3670 The Barnyard, Carmel, 626-3779. The romance of sharing a chocolate fondue in this cozy restaurant cannot be denied. This year, Lugano''s is also serving a three-course menu, starting with puff pastry stuffed with mushrooms and oysters and bathed in sherry cream sauce. Next choose either Chilean sea bass with risotto or rotisserie duck with plum sauce. Finish the meal with a chocolate heart with fresh berries and crŠme fraiche. $22.95/ person. Regular menu also available.

Montrio

414 Calle Principal, Monterey. 648-8880. Special menu includes Russian Sevruga caviar; foie gras, langoustine, and baby leek terrine; coriander-crusted ahi tuna; duck breast for two carved over saut‚ed spinach; 14-oz. veal rack chop with garlic herb whipped potatoes, and vanilla bean ravioli stuffed with smoked salmon and ricotta cheese.

The Old Bath House

620 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove. 375-5195. Prix fixe menu includes pasta moons filled with lobster, lobster bisque, filet mignon Wellington with prosciutto, fois gras and mushrooms, Australian rack of lamb encrusted with pistachios, or roast duck breast; and for dessert, cardamom crŠme brul‚e or lemon mascarpone cheesecake. $55/person.

Stokes Adobe

500 Hartnell St., Monterey, 373-1110. Prix fixe Valentine''s Day menu features lobster and frissee salad with beet chips, Monterey Bay abalone with asparagus beignets and wild mushroom whipped potatoes, braised veal shortribs on saffron risotto, and classic vanilla crŠme brul‚e with chocolate biscotti. $70/includes wine; $45/dinner only.

Tarpy''s Roadhouse

2999 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey, 647-1444. Special menu includes appetizers of seafood salad or smoked duck breast with apricot cherry chutney; entrees of lobster ravioli with Gulf prawns, grilled swordfish with avocado black bean and corn salsa, pheasant with cherry port wine reduction or Black Angus prime filet of beef; dessert is either citrus-scented cheesecake or heart-shaped warm white chocolate banana cake for two. cw