Valentine's Day. It makes February a little more bearable (or just that much more awful). Most of Beijing's hotels and restaurants are gearing up for the most over-the-top romantic date night of the year. We've got the usual assortment of fine restaurants breaking out the candles and violins--check out who's doing what, where.

Awesome Dinner Deals

Aria: A sophisticated six-course Valentine's Day with a classic, candle-lit feel that includes a glass of champagne and a red rose upon arrival. Also--expect exquisite fare like oysters, crab and caviar. RMB658 per person

Reservations: 6505-5838

Cepe: It's very expensive, but the authentic Italian served at this Ritz-Carlton restaurant is just that exceptional. RMB1,998 plus surcharge per couple, which includes a glass of Champagne.

Reservations: 6601-6666

Maison Boulud: This seven-course dinner offers different menus for him and her, both featuring foie gras and lots of tempting seafood. Men get a Mediterranean duo of lamb that sounds fantastic, and couples end the meal with a rich black forest cake to share. RMB988 plus surcharge.

Reservations: 6559-9200

Temple Restaurant: If you're trying to impress your date with a special Beijing twist, you won't go wrong with this gorgeous new restaurant set in an ancient temple. The very luxurious six-course Valentine's dinner includes poached lobster, Wagyu beef and passion fruit parfait for dessert. RMB1,288 plus surcharge per couple.

Reservations: 8400-2232

Capital M: Voted Most Romantic Restaurant in our 2011 Reader's Choice Awards. The six-course menu brings you gourmet fare from around the around, from a Scandinavian starter to beef Wellington. RMB688 per person, with RMB388 for wine pairings.

Reservations: 6702-2727

SALT: SALT's four-course Valentine's dinner includes a glass of Champagne or a Rossini cocktail made with pureed strawberries. They also promise fabulous desserts, too. RMB428 per person.

Reservations: 6437-8457

Alameda: This Sanlitun favorite is preparing a three-course menu full of classic Valentine dishes as well as more original offerings. There's a host of inspired appetizers and mains to select from, including filet mignon served with a 20-year Port wine sauce, lamb sirloin coated with cashew and lobster in orange vapor. RMB609 per couple.

Reservations: 6417-8084

Mosto: This very romantic restaurant offers a four-course dinner with yellow fin tuna tataki and foie gras terrine, followed by beef tenderloin or roasted salmon. Finish with creme brulee or chocolate souffle with Sichuan peppercorn ice cream. RMB420

Reservations: 5208-6030

Flamme: This hip grilling establishment is offering a four-course meal that features hefty mains like bacon-wrapped Australian beef tenderloin and half of a Boston lobster as well as rosemary lamb leg with mixed vegetables and chestnut. The finisher is a dark and white chocolate mousse cake. RMB699 per couple or RMB399 per person, includes a glass of house wine.

Reservations: 6417-8608

Agua: This Sanlitun restaurant offers a classy, romantic environment--try to book one of the large, round booths. The four-course menu includes optional extras like Boston lobster or Iberico ham, but you'll have to pay for it (RMB88 more each). RMB488.

Reservations: 5208-6188

Migas: The stylish Mediterranean stunner is preparing a creative meal for two that includes two glasses of Mumm Champagne. Menu highlights include Wagyu beef carpaccio, pigeon ravioli with rose petals, black cod with oyster and algae dressing and passion-fruit champagne sorbet with white chocolate and yogurt cream. RMB700 per couple.

Reservations: 5208-6061

Sureño: The "Valentina" menu for her includes seabass, crab bisque, lobster and a white chocolate dome with raspberry. The "Valentino" menu for him includes favorites like foie gras and Wagyu beef. RMB628 per person for the four-course dinner with one glass of Champagne.

Reservations: 6410-5240

Niajo: A Spanish-flavored Valentine's at Niajo includes a starter, two mains and dessert. RMB888 per couple includes a bottle of white wine or rose Cava.

Reservations: 5208-6052

Casa Brasil: A three-course meal with exotic mains like coffee beef tenderloin and veal saltimbocca. Live entertainment is also on the menu. RMB288 per couple includes a glass of Champagne.

Reservations: 8530-6308

Starfish: This great new restaurant may have tasty oysters, but the four-course Valentine's menu stays away from the stereotypical shellfish in favor of tempting dishes like salmon and fennel salad, crab-stuffed flounder and osso bucco with polenta. Don't miss the double chocolate mousse. RMB450 per person.

Reservations: 6416-5499

Ganges: This all-around Indian favorite is offering a meal for two that includes soup, starters, a tandoori platter, chicken tikka masala and vegetable kadhai with a variety of nan and a helping of saffron rice. Dessert also included. RMB350 per couple (normally RMB425).

Check our listings for more locations

ROOMbeijing: This playful CBD restaurant is apparently hosting a night full of surprises (don't ask us!) along with a his-and-hers menu with two glasses of rose Champagne. RMB1,299 per couple.

Reservations: 8517-2033

Terra: Chef Paulo De Souza whips up a three-course meal that includes a glass of bubbly. RMB388 per person.

Reservations: 6591-9148

Fratelli Fresh: This creative Italian restaurant is crafting a five-course dinner that includes oysters, caviar and Wagyu beef. RMB1,288 per couple with surcharge, includes a glass of Champagne.

Reservations: 5863-8203

Le Pre Lenotre: Exquisite French dining in an elegant setting. They're offering a five-course dinner for two for RMB2,488 plus surcharge--which includes a personalized door gift. RMB2,488 plus surcharge.

Reservations: 8599-6666 ext. 6528

Pink Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge: A charming afternoon tea that's perfect for princesses of all ages. The afternoon tea at Lobby Lounge features a range of festive sweet and savory delights paired with a range of flavored teas. RMB188 plus surcharge, add a glass of rose Champagne for RMB108.

Feb 14-19; reservations: 6505-5838

Kempinski Hotel: The Kempinski is preparing a number of Valentine's Day dinner options, including a French feast at Kranzler's that includes lobster and sparkling wine (RMB828 per person), a five-course menu with two glasses of Champagne at La Gondola (RMB588 per person) and unlimited Paulaner beer with a four-course dinner at Paulaner Brauhaus (RMB588 per person).

Reservations: 6465-3388 ext. 4200

Westin Chaoyang: Grange, Zen5es and Seasonal Tastes all offer Valentine's packages that include a dinner and a special offer on a Heavenly Spa treatment. For any dinner, ladies receive nine roses (nine=longevity) and a lucky draw featuring a diamond necklace. Dinners range from RMB999-1,999.

Reservations: 5922-8880

Compass Grill: Aimed at couples in Shunyi, who get pick up and return limo service. The five-course menu features Australian rock oysters, North Atlantic salmon tartare, and a choice of Australian beef tenderloin with foie gras or mushroom-crusted cod fish. RMB999 per couple plus surcharge includes welcome cocktail.

Reservations: 6458-8888

Renaissance Beijing Chaoyang: The Renaissance Cafe is offering a Valentine's Day buffet dinner with an international flair. Includes one glass of Champagne. RMB518 per couple plus surcharge.

Reservations: 6468-9999

Swisshotel: Cafe Swiss is offering a V-day buffet with a lucky draw, with all couples receiving "a little something" during dinner. Also, the Swiss Deli will start selling truffles from Feb 7. RMB328 plus surcharge for singles, RMB588 plus surcharge for couples.

Reservations: 6553-2288 ext. 2127

St. Regis: Astor Grill offers a Pink and Blue Valentine's Day Dinner for two with Champagne and wine pairings (RMB1,988 for two with surcharge), Danieli's is dishing out a set menu that includes antipasto (RMB1,688 for two plus surcharge) and The Garden Court is preparing a "Chocolate Chocolate Valentine's Day Buffet Dinner" with rose Champagne (RMB1,288 for two plus surcharge).

Reservations: 6460-6688

Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng: A five-course dinner at Bene (RMB688 per couple includes two glasses of Prosecco), an eight-course dinner at Yue (RMB1,388 per couple includes two glasses of Champagne), a Japanese buffet dinner at Miyabi (RMB488 per couple includes two glasses of Champagne) and a seafood buffet (RMB388 per couple includes two glasses of Champagne) are all going down on V-day at the Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng.

Reservations: 5798-8888

Shangri-La Hotel Beijing: Innovative French S.T.A.Y. is offering a Valentine’s Day menu at RMB1,998 per couple, Nishimura is offering a special menu with Tanpopo sake for RMB1588 per couple, a free flow of red and white house wine along with a Valentine's dinner at Shang Palace for RMB1,498 and a buffet with one glass of Champagne at Cafe Cha for RMB788. Prices are subject to surcharge. The Valentine’s Day set menu includes soft drinks and fresh juices.

Reservations: 6841-2211 ext. 6572

Hotel Combination Packages

Westin Financial Street: If personalized violinists and limousine service is your ideal Valentine's day, Westin has a package for you that includes that AND 99 roses, an aroma massage, a personalized five-course meal at Prego, a bottle of rose Champagne and a one-night stay. Even better? You can take a bed home. For real. RMB6,999 per couple, RMB18,888 includes the Westin's Heavenly Bed.

Reservations: 6629-7803

JW Marriott: Get a five-course dinner with Champagne for 1688 per couple at CRU Steakhouse or an Asia Bistro dinner for RMB999 per couple (with surcharge). Amp up the romance with a stay in a deluxe garden view room with BMW pick up. Includes breakfast in bed. RMB2,000 plus surcharge.

Reservations: 5908-8995

The Ritz-Carlton Beijing: Ritz-Carlton Beijing is offering a classical European-style hotel room with a garden view for RMB1722 per night. An extra RMB3,000 gets a Rolls-Royce limo service and a tailor-made rose bouquet. Alternatively, you can go for a buffet dinner at Aroma (RMB1,288 for two) or a five-course candle-lit Italian dinner at Barolo (RMB1,888 plus one glass of Champagne) that includes a framed photo and complimentary chocolates. For that extra touch, a couple's spa treatment for RMB3,356 is available. Surcharge not included.

Reservations: 5908-8888

Park Plaza Wangfujing: This hotel package deal comes with an overnight stay in a deluxe room, a set of movie tickets, a dinner set at Bloo Dining and a box of chocolates. Normally, this costs RMB1,609, but City Weekend readers can get it at the discounted price of RMB1,399 on FlashBuy. We'll start the deal from next week, so click on our Flashbuy Page next Monday to nab it!

Reservations: 8522-1999 ext 3623

Hilton Beijing Wangfujing: We can't guess how it ends, but it starts with a limousine pick-up and a private butler. They've also included an intimate 8-course dinner with wine pairings at the Vintage Bank, a Champagne breakfast served in-room and a spa treatment for two. RMB8,888 plus surcharge (book at least two days in advance).

Starts Feb 10, ends Feb 19; reservations: 58128888

The Fairmont: One of Beijing's top hotels is offering a stay at their Gold Signature Suite, limo transport to/from anywhere within the 6th Ring Road, a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne upon arrival, dinner for two with wine pairings at The Cut, breakfast in bed and a couples massage for RMB6,888. Or, you can go for their Sexy Steak Dinner: The name package that includes a mouthwatering dinner at luxury grill The Cut for RMB1,588 plus surcharge per couple--and includes a glass of Dom Perignon. The sexy part (if you so choose) is the RMB988/night deluxe room post-dinner.

Reservations: 8507-3700 (Ultimate Valentine's); 8507-3617 (Sexy Steak Dinner)

Hilton Beijing's One East: A five-course "Chocolate Menu" prepared by One East's executive chef? We want to know why this isn't happening every day of the year! Also, all diners will get a chance to win a pair of round-trip air tickets to the Maldives. RMB1,599 per couple, RMB2,399 per couple with a one-night stay in a King Deluxe room.

Reservations: 5865-5030

Party for Two

Valentine's Day Party at Haze: Not in for that candle-lit dinner stuff? Get moving with a number of local (and sexy) DJs that include Kaize, Yang Bing, Donald Summer and Da Bing.

Feb 14, 10pm-3am

12SQM: An almost medieval romance. Lock your love away on a lovers' chain at 12SQM--because hey, there's not a lot of room anyway. Also, they'll have deals on wine and Champagne.

Feb 14, 8pm

Q Bar: Q Bar is busting out the pretty pink cocktails and free chocolate mousse cake. Also a change to cozy up with that special someone in their private "Q Boxes"--if you're into that sort of thing.

Feb 14, 6pm-2am

Grand Millennium Beijing Havana Bar: Not every girl wants an fancy Italian dinner under candle-light. Some just want the Champagne. Get it at Havana Bar--buy a 750ml bottle of Mumm Champagne (RMB836 plus surcharge) and get a 375ml bottle for free.

Reservations: 8587-6888

Performances

Live In Beijing: Avril Lavigne: Hey, hey, you, you, I don't like your boyfriend! This one's for the single girls to relive their Mean Girls teenage years in gloriously ironic fashion. RMB280-880

Feb 14, 8pm at the MasterCard Center; contact: 64177845; 400-610-3721 or piao.com

Joe Hisaishi Concert: A tribute to composer Joe Hisaishi, the Japanese composer of Studio Ghibli movies like Totoro and Princess Mononoke. RMB80-580.

Feb 14, 7:30pm at the Beijing Concert Hall; contact: 6417-7845 or piao.com

National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra: This orchestra is holding concert of romantic classical works, heavily featuring Tchaikovsky.

Feb 14, 7:30pm at the NCPA Concert Hall; contact: 6417-7845; 400-610-3721 or piao.com