Hearty ways to a happy Valentine's Day

From love songs with Brighton's very own Elvis to cabaret with the sizzlingly saucy Miss Pammy, from mouthwatering romantic dinners to an elegant Valentine's Ball, you are sure to find something perfect for you and your beloved.

FOOD

Carluccio's
Jubilee Street, Brighton
Whether you are after a 500-year-old aphrodisiac or a romantic meal for two, Carluccio's can help.

Within its deli collection of Valentine's gifts is Zabajone al moscato, Carluccio's version of a 16th century aphrodisiac dreamt up by Franciscan monk Pasquale Baylon.

Comprising a dessert of eggs, Marsala wine and sugar, it is said to restore virility in men.

For a more classic (and a tad more subtle) Valentine's gift, Carluccio's single stem chocolate roses combines the two best ways to a woman's heart.

If you love Italian food, but don't want to slave over a hot stove, you can enjoy a romantic dinner for two in the restaurant or tuck into a luxury Valentine's Day hamper in the intimacy of your own home.

• To book, call 01273 690493.

Riddle & Finns Champagne and Oyster Bars
Meeting House Lane, Brighton and Church Road, Hove
For serious romantics, it has to be champagne and oysters.

And with branches of Riddle & Finns in both Brighton and Hove, there's no need to travel far for a taste of seduction.

The haven of seafood sophistication is booking for Valentine's night as well as offering take-home hampers of whole, prepared lobster served cold with a selection of shell fish, champagne and homemade luxury chocolate moussse.

• To book, call 01273 721667.

Las Iguanas
Jubilee Street, Brighton
Spice up your Valentine's Day with an explosion of Latin flavours.

Tropical cocktails complement an exotic menu featuring Lobster and Tuna Seviche (sliced lobster in a fresh mango, coconut and green chilli marinade) and Xinxim (Brazilian lime chicken in a creamy peanut and crayfish sauce).

Make sure you make room for dessert - options include Ipanema mess (creamy mascarpone and natural yoghurt, raspberries, guava preserve and crushed meringues).

This special Valentine's Day menu is £25 per person.

To book, call 01273 573550.

THEATRE

Barefoot in the Park
Brighton Little Theatre, Clarence Gardens, Brighton
Neil Simon's classic story was immortalised on the silver screen by Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.

Now the warm-hearted romantic comedy will be brought to the intimate stage of Brighton Little Theatre. Join newlyweds Corrie and Paul who have just moved into a tiny fifth floor apartment, ready for a life of marital bliss.

But an assorted mix of screwballs and weridos ensure that nothing goes to plan.

• Tues to Sat Feb 16. Starts 7.45, tickets £7.50. Call 01273 777748.

MUSIC

No Jacket Required - The Phil Collins Tribute
Hawth Theatre, Hawth Avenue, Crawley
Phil Collins may be forever associated in our minds with a certain gorilla drumming to his hits in a bizarre TV advert for Cadbury's.

But fans of the romantic crooner will go ape for tribute act No Jacket Required in a night featuring Phil's most heart-rending ballads.

The 11-piece band recreate all his best-loved songs, including Two Hearts, Against All Odds, One More Night and Groovy Kind of Love.

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 8pm, tickets £14. Call 01293 553636.

Alison Moyet
Dome Concert Hall, Church Street, Brighton
Surely one of the most romantic female British voices in modern times is performing a Valentine's night concert in the lush surroundings of the Dome. Alison Moyet will be performing selections from her sixth album of original material The Turn, as well as favourites from her multi-platinum selling past including Whispering Your Name, All Cried Out and Is This Love?

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 8pm, tickets from £22. Call 01273 709709.

Love Me Tender
The Hanbury Club, St George's Road, Kemp Town, Brighton
Take a nostalgic trip back to the era of free love and celebrate Valentine's Day with the King.

Brighton's very own Elvis lookalike, Jim Devereaux, performs the hipthrusting crooner's greatest love songs.

Snuggle up with your sweetheart and sway to hits including Love Me Tender, Always On My Mind, Can't Help Falling In Love and many more.

The evening will also include special Elvis-themed cocktails, a Valentine's menu featuring champagne and oysters and Elvis' greatest intimate movie moments shown on a big screen. Booking is essential.

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 7.30pm, tickets £40. Call 01273 605789.

ART

Art of Seduction
Art At Five Gallery, 5 Bartholomews, Brighton
This free Valentine's exhibition returns for a third year with its most diverse showcase yet, featuring richly romantic paintings alongside "tasteful"

erotica and more abstract symbols of love and romance.

The sensual nudes of renowned artist Louise Dear will be displayed alongside Fleur Deakin's textured flowers, Richard Young's Tango Dancers, and Kerry Houghton's semi-abstract female forms.

The exhibition will also include specially commissioned work by Brighton-based artist Pearl Bates, whose fantasy portraits of strong women have been displayed at The Victoria and Albert Museum.

• Until Friday Feb 15. The gallery is open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

EVENTS

Valentine's Cabaret
De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill
Get your pulses racing for Valentine's Day with a little help from a Hollywood sex bomb.

Marilyn Monroe will be brought to life by impersonator and improvisational comic, Helen Kane through her popular burlesque show incorporating music, wit and glamour.

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 9pm. Dinner is fully booked, but bar seats are available.

Call 01424 229111.

Come Dine With Me
Joogleberry Playhouse, Manchester Street, Brighton Paul McCartney's favourite Joogleberry act, The Tony Lewis Band, will serenade you with smooth jazz as you enjoy a special Valentine's Day three course meal.

The Liverpudlian brings his Perrier Award-nominated vocals, swing and funk sounds to this intimate venue while you dine.

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 7.30pm, tickets £25. Call 01273 687171.

Big Lurve Valentine Show
Joogleberry Playhouse Cabaret Bar, Manchester Street, Brighton
Miss Pammy and the infamous seven-piece cabaret band, Naughty Chair invites you to a night of saucy, cheeky fun at the Joogleberry.

The band will be playing covers of cheesy love songs from Sex Bomb to You're The One That I Want.

Miss Pammy will be leading the fun and games including a round of Mr and Mrs, where couples are challenged to put their intimate knowledge of their partners to the test.

She will also be refereeing the Newspaper Dance.

Miss Pammy says: "This is a game where couples have to dance together on a sheet of newspaper that keeps getting smaller, so they end up dancing up close and personal or else falling over."

Winning couples can take home goodie bags containing chocolates, Mills and Boons romances and other naughty surprises.

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 9pm, tickets £8. Call 01273 687171.

Valentine's Ball
Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton
Lead your partner to the dance floor and trip the light fantastic to the cha-cha-cha, waltz and foxtrot.

The ten-piece Berkeley Square Society Band looks set to transport lovers back to to the golden age of romance. The party continues until midnight with more classic dance tunes from DJ Rui Pereira.

If your quickstep is a tad rusty, you can learn all the right moves at the Valentine's Ball Workshop on Monday, February 11 at Brighton's Pavilion Theatre from 8pm to 10pm (tickets £5 to Ball ticket holders only).

• Thursday Feb 14. Starts 8pm, tickets £14/£25 couples. Call 01273 709709.
  
  From Worthing With Love
  The Rest, Bath Place, Worthing
  Music, performance poetry, comedy and a Valentine's Day-themed quiz comes to this Worthing pub, all in the name of love.

Eclectric (see what they did there?) Ballroom will feature an array of singer-songwriters playing their own romantic compositions alongside cover versions of love songs. An open microphone slot will be given to any budding storytelllers with a romantic yarn to spin.

Shyer types can ask compere Ben Salter to tell a tale on their behalf. Beat-style poet Dan Thompson will perform a set of his favourite romantic verses alongside his own material and there will be a Valentine's Weekend Survival Kit up for grabs in a prize draw.

• Friday, February 15. Starts 8pm, tickets £1. Call 01903 526268.