Fed up of predictable Valentine's Day dates? Fancy something different? We asked the owners of Brighton's most romantic businesses for inspiration.

  • Bryan Duff, pictured, owns Amaryllis, a flower shop on Upper Market Street, Hove. Call 01273 321999

"It's not a case of money, it's a case of love. Money does not equal love.

"I would be more than happy to spend the night in with my beautiful girlfriend Sarah and have something lovely to eat and drink.

"We are probably going to have risotto and salmon steaks with a pesto topping.

"She will supply the food and do the cooking of course! I'll be too busy.

"We have planned it already. I will buy the wine, normally I get a French red.

"For dessert, it will have to be my favourite, Mille Feuille from The Real Patisserie.

"Sarah's not that big on desserts, she's watching her figure but I'm a skinny little runt so I don't have to.

"I will surprise her with some organic truffles I'm not completely useless from my French friend Anthony.

"You can order them online from his company The Chocolate Empire (www.thechocolateempire.co.uk). They are amazing the best chocolates you will ever taste.

"Of course I will buy her some flowers too. I'll probably go very traditional and buy a dozen Grand Prix the best red roses you can buy.

"But I always say if you can't buy a girl flowers on a Wednesday in the middle of July then don't bother on Valentine's Day. You can show your love any day of the week.

"If I was going for a meal and it was up to me, I'd go to Terre a Terre because their desserts are amazing.

"I'm a meat-eater, I love meat but my favourite restaurant is vegetarian. That says a lot about it.

"Every mouthful has an amazing taste. It's my number one choice.

"Otherwise I would go for an Italian meal at La Piazza in Hove. Their pasta is really authentic."

  • Christine Taylor owns Choccywoccydoowah, Duke Street, Brighton, 01273 329462 and Choccywoocyboudoir Bar Du Chocolate, Middle Street, Brighton, 01273 220878

"My best Valentine's Day experience would be being allowed to sleep in and wake up at my own speed, not when the alarm clock tell me to, or when the children, dogs or partner go off.

"A breakfast of chewy French bread (very fresh) with butter and local Sussex honey, possibly with a bowl of very dark melted chocolate with a large splash of hot milk stirred in.

"This year I am hosting my own Valentine Party in Choccywoccyboudoir and am as excited about that as any date. Who wouldn't be with chocolate, Champagne, chocolate, cake and chocolate on the menu?

"The loveliest gestures are the unprompted ones a box of handmade pink strawberry champagne truffles from us, a dozen pink roses if you are not engaged/married or living together (pink shows your intentions, prepare to be asked) or a dozen red roses.

"If love and commitment are already established, a diamond ring from Jeremy Hoye.

"Finally, I'll have dinner at home, cooked by my other half, with pink Champagne, wild salmon in a white chocolate and lemon sauce finished with strawberries dunked in icing sugar, then Courvoisier, then bittersweet chocolate.

"Then bed. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac: it releases endorphins into your system making you feel good theobromine which makes you feel elated and phenylatharaine which is what your brain secretes when you are in love or having sex.

"Cant be bad! The oompahloompahs at Choccywoccydoodah are in a permanent state of love"

  • Jacqueline Dewar owns Yamamay, a lingerie shop on Western Road, Brighton. Call 01273 727503

"For me, nothing beats a home-cooked meal. I would keep it very simple, steak and sauteed potatoes with a salad garnish, and fresh fruit is always good for playing with.

"Strawberries and grapes are very tactile and both are great with chocolate, which adds to the fun and seduction.

"You can't go wrong with red meat, at least not with any man I've ever been out with!

"A hotel could be fun if money was no object but unless it has been recommended you could be disappointed.

"I think it's better to be at home where you can spoil them rotten with romantic music and candles.

"I have heard people say Hotel Una in Regency Square is amazing, though.

"They have double rooms with views of the sea and a fireplace and bath in the middle of the room.

"That would be pretty special, with dinner at Hotel Du Vin beforehand. It's so much more than I would usually pay for a meal and guys don't tend to push the boat out too often, so you may as well make the most of it."

  • Katherine Hope owns Nua, an erotica shop in Ship Street, Brighton. Call 01273 774001

"My ideal dinner date for Valentine's Day would have to be Hotel Du Vin.

"I love the warm, luxurious feel of the place and the service is excellent.

"You can completely relax, run a tab if you like, and cuddle up in the corner.

"It's got a wonderful repuation for food and a fantastic wine list so you can splash out and treat yourself to something special by the glass.

"Champagne is always a winner. My first choice would be Billecart Salmon, a delicious pink Champagne that comes in a beautiful bottle.

"All the traditional aphrodisiacs oysters, strawberries, Champagne and chocolate would suit me perfectly.

"I could just as easily stay at home with my partner Jeremy though.

"We would light candles, get plenty of finger food in, play some gorgeous music or have a bath together, or watch our favourite film Love, Actually.

"If I really wanted to indulge myself, that's what I would do. Ultimately it should be about sharing, intimacy, feeling good about yourself and the one you love, feeling sexy and having fun."

  • Clare Rogers owns The Treatment Rooms, New Road, Brighton. Call 01273 818444

"My perfect date would be with a man who had put a lot of imagination and thought into romancing me.

"Starting around 5.30pm, I'd like to be wrapped in a blanket sitting on the beach with a chilled bottle of bubbly, preferably pink, watching the starlings circling over the West Pier as the sun sets.

"Then we'd hop into a tuk-tuk and be whisked to Brighton Marina where he has arranged a boat to sail us out to sea. Then back on the beach he would barbeque some local sea bass served with a picnic selection from Carluccio's.

"More champagne would be drunk while star gazing and trying to spot Orion.

Listening to the lapping of the waves, we would snuggle up together.

"Needless to say I haven't got a date on February 14, but this would be the perfect one!"

What's your ideal Valentine's Day date? Post your comments below.