Where to Romance Over Food on Valentine's Day

Amore! The coupling of good food and wine with the sensual is the aphrodisiac of literature and verse through the ages.

Pucker up! Valentine's Day is coming Sunday, Feb. 14th, and restaurants are gearing up to serve some of their most titillating specialties. Here is an eclectic round-up of delectable dishes and dining venues for you and your loved one in Larchmont and Mamaroneck.

And don't forget to reserve early; it falls on a long weekend this year!

Zitoune, 1127 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-835-8350

Titillate yourself to the rhythms of North Africa! Proprietor Alain Bennouna has brought us an exciting, colorful and exotic restaurant espousing the delights of modernized Moroccan fine dining and atmosphere. Festooned with colorful Moroccan fabrics and artifacts, even a romantic lounge area with plush pillows. Flavorful specialties include: crispy nuggets of marinated codfish; two styles of couscous; tagine simmered monkfish, salmon, lamb or vegetables; tender tangia marrakchia, cumin beef short ribs cooked with lemon; quails and almonds, boneless and braised, filled with saffron rice; tagine El Mrouzia, tagine cooked veal cheeks,; and classic lemon cornish hen, slowly cooked with lemon confit, green olives and saffron. A special 3-course Valentine's Day menu with glass of champagne will be served: $45 per person. Regular menu will also be available. Lively flavors galore! Live belly dancing performances too. Open 7 days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. www.zitounerestaurant.com

Limoncello, 974 E. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, 914-630-2311

Managers Frank Tummolo and Louis Gigante Jr. reopened this former steakhouse with the idea of serving tasty, regional Italian, trattoria-style fare. As soon as you spot the bright yellow awnings from Rt. 1 you are set at ease. There is bi-level seating: upstairs affords patrons an overview onto Boston Post Road, while downstairs can offer subdued privacy. The staff is friendly and veteran Chef Silvio Vitiello is ready to serve you his flavorful takes on such dishes as: arancini, Sicilian-style rice balls made with Arborio rice, ground beef, peas, saffron, red wine and mozzarella; quattro formaggi, grilled portobello mushrooms stuffed with smoked mozzarella, parmigiano, pecorino romano and gorgonzola cheeses served over a bed of arugula; a wonderful insalata di frutti di mare with shrimp, calamari, scungilli and scallops; gemelli ai gamberi, wild mushrooms, shrimp, fresh tomatoes and basil; sacchetti pomodoro, pasta stuffed with prosciutto served in a plum tomato sauce; salmon piccata, with capers and baby artichokes in a white wine lemon sauce; and tender filet mignon in an aged balsamic and red wine reduction capped with portobello. Souvenir photos will be available on Valentine's Day. Main courses at lunch: $9 to $16; Dinner: $16 to $31. Open Tuesday thru Sunday for lunch and dinner. Bar/cocktail lounge. Valet parking nightly. www.limoncellony.com

Ristorante La Sala, 2047 Boston Post Rd., Larchmont, 914-833-7900

Managers Florio and Marcello Rugova preside over a genteel old-world dining room offering their regional Adriatic-Italian specialties with smooth tablesideflair! Colorful florals, rich artworks and lush curtains add to the romantic air.  Specialties include: Tuna carpaccio; spiedini Romani; gnocchi al forno, with pancetta, endive, sage and gorgonzola; classic linguini vongole; filet of sole almondine; chicken Martini, boneless breasts seared in parmigiano cheese and sauteed with white wine and lemon with asparagus; veal Columbo, cutlets with prosciutto di Parma, sliced tomato, mozzarella, sauteed with cognac and a touch of cream; and traditional grilled pork chops served with vinegar peppers. A tasty roasted Muscovy duck is served with lingonberry sauce over rice. There is a daily luncheon special for $12. Main courses at dinner: $18 to $34. Open Tuesday thru Sunday. Free and valet parking. Private party facilities.www.ristorantelasala.com

Encore Bistro Francais, 22 Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont 914-833-1661

Owner David Masliah operates this cozy, romantic, petit French bistro like one of those charmers you find along many a side street in Paris. David had always wanted to bring the American public a taste of "casual home style France." Currently the house is serving a new winter menu and customers are flocking here to try the escargots, snails baked with parsley, garlic and butter; carre d'agneau persille, roasted rack of lamb in a crust of fresh herbs, rosted garlic sauce; magret de canard, roasted breast of duck and leg confit with raspberry sauce; hearty cassoulet, a hearty crockpot of sausages, smoked bacon, confit of duck and white beans; and popular steak frites. Wines du jour. Main courses at lunch: $9.-$17; Dinner: $18.-$26. Open daily. Free parking. 

(Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)