February 14, 2005 The Valentine Monologues Just because Hallmark gave V-day to the gals, doesn't mean there's nothing in it for you. Give your girl the day she wants and score some major points. No reservations? Then you'd better get creative. Here are a few interesting options. The Way to a Woman's Heart Though it may conflict with her diet du jour, one way guaranteed to score big with your lady is to offer to handle the cooking for a night. Take it one step further and learn to cook a dinner with her. Hollywood Cooks will send a chef to your house for a lesson. Or forget the lesson and enjoy having someone else cook for the both of you. The cost is $150. Call 323.664.5756 Dancing at Hard Rock Okay, so the name Hard Rock Cafe doesn't exactly evoke images of romance. It's loud. And the food is more burgers and fries than oysters on the half-shell. But for V-Day this bastion of rock revelry will have one essential element of romance: Dancing. Swing dancing, in fact. The dinner is $50 per person -- pretty steep for Hard Rock fare, but it does include champagne and a rose for your babe. Best of all proceeds go to the American Heart Association. Call 310.276.7605 or email Los_Angeles_Sales@hardrock.com Say It with Chocolate Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend got it wrong. Take your girl to Compartes Chocolatier in Brentwood for what they're calling a Chocolate Decadence Dinner. Six to eight courses, all chocolate. Chocolate cocoa, truffles, hot cocoa, and (surprise!) a chocolate dessert. Yeah, they're calling it dinner. But you might consider filling up elsewhere and make this a multi-course dessert. $25 per person. Hourly reservations 6 - 9pm. Call 310.826.3380. Ride Off Into the Sunset Jump up on a horse and she'll see you as her knight in shining armor. Escape On Horseback in Topanga Canyon is offering a package that includes a one-hour horseback ride followed by champagne on a deck overlooking the ranch. These rides actually end well before sunset -- but if you're dead set on an evening activity, they're offering some moonlight rides later this month. Call 818.591.2032. The Traditional Route And if all you're looking for is a romantic dinner for two, Open Table has assembled a list of restaurants around town doing something special tonight along with prices and a link to reserve.