Your mission, should you decide to brave it, is to make reservations at a restaurant that serves Valentine-worthy vittles in an atmosphere that erases fine lines and adds a flattering glow of candlelight.

Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year —the most unromantic of nights, more suited to rinsing out socks than dining in style —and so, some local restaurants are making up for it by: Staying open Feb. 14, even though many aren’t traditionally open Mondays; and offering gorgeous menus that are utterly seductive.

I’ve done my homework: Here are a few favorite places that I think will be just perfect for romancing your honey on Valentine’s Day.

Trevethan’s
758 State St., New Haven
(203) 772-3415

A cozy, brick-walled restaurant with not many seats but lots of culinary charm might be just the spot for nookie nirvana.

On Valentine’s Day, Chef Ryan Trevethan is offering a full, a la carte menu of modern American delights with Pacific Rim
splashes. Four appetizers are on the menu, including Pan-Roasted and Sliced Petite Filet in a rosemary, Dijon and salt crust over avocado and corn salsa with lime water and sunshine aioli ($13), and Baked Bluepoint Oysters topped with chorizo, spinach and melted Gorgonzola with essence of Pernod ($11).

Two pretty salads can be ordered, although each entree comes with a perfectly nice house salad of its own; those entrees include Ginger-Roasted North Atlantic Salmon over saffron risotto, baby yellow and green sunburst squash and a golden pineapple tropical fruit salsa ($22); Lobster Ravioli with fresh spinach and marscapone cheese over a plum tomato coulis dotted with toasted pine nuts ($24); and a Five-Peppercorn Crusted Black Angus Filet over whipped potato and watermelon broccoli with crispy onion grass and a gorgonzola sage cream sauce ($30).

Chef Ryan’s special Valentine Dinner will be offered for three seatings: at 5, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Le Petit Cafe
225 Montowese St., Branford
(203) 483-9791

Sweet, cozy and oozing with European romance, Le Petit Cafe is the perfect place to let Cupid run amok. This Valentine’s Weekend — Saturday, Sunday and Monday — the talented Chef Roy Ip is offering a four-course meal for lovers at $65.50 per person.

Appetizer choices are Chilled Canadian Hard-Shell Lobster with fresh mango and haricot verte salad and tarragon jalapeno vinaigrette ("They need some heat," explains Roy); and Curry Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Medallion with frisee and Fuji apple salad in a crispy potato basket with spicy sesame vinaigrette. Next comes a salad of organic greens and artisan cheeses; then a choice of entrees, i.e. Steak Au Poivre, a natural, free-range Australian filet mignon with black peppercorn brandy sauce and frites; and Chilean Sea Bass with European chanterelle and sweet corn ragout in an orange carrot sauce. Dessert choices are Fresh Seasonal Fruit Salad in Passion fruit Ginger Sauce, or Hazelnut Chocolate Fondant.

Saturday seatings are at 6 and 8:30 p.m.; Sunday seatings are at 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Monday seatings are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required.

Nini’s Bistro
40 Orange St., New Haven
(203) 562-6464

Nini’s is another favorite place for fine food and games of footsie under the table. The place is so warm and stylish that, by the end of the evening, it feels like one big dinner party. Nini’s is a prix fixe restaurant with a BYOB policy; usually, it offers two seatings, four nights a week, at a price of $29.95 per person.

On Feb. 11 and 12, and again on Feb. 14, Nini’s will supplement their sumptuous menu with what Chef Stuart London calls "big, sexy dishes." These will include Oysters Fricassee, with saffron and champagne sauce; Chateaubriand of Veal for Two, with baby vegetables and bernaise sauce; Lobster and Asparagus Parpardelle for Two, with Thai vanilla bean and coconut sauce; and a Three-Chocolate Mousse Parfait for Two. Some of these special dishes carry an additional charge; don’t forget to bring your own champagne and cognac.

Colonial Tymes
2389 Dixwell Av., Hamden
(203) 230-2301

Colonial Tymes looks beautiful in snow, with all its white lights twinkling. You can sit by a fireplace, or next to a cut-glass window, and enjoy the wood smoke intermingling with the fragrances of the kitchen, while holding hands and trying not to drool.

On Feb. 14, Colonial Tymes is offering an a la carte Valentine menu with four appetizers, including Crab and Avocado Salad ($12.95) and Roasted Duck Breast with Greens and Blackberry Brandy-Cream Sauce ($10.95); an assortment of soups and salads; and eight entrees, including Grilled Rack of Lamb with a sun-dried cherry mint sauce ($29.95); Veal Florencia, topped with prosciutto, fontinella and tomato-Marsala sauce ($22.95); and Fettuccini with Shrimp and Scallops, served in a lobster-flavored pink tomato sauce with asparagus ($23.95).

Desserts are $6.95; choose from German Chocolate Cake, New York Cheesecake, Bananas Foster or Fresh Berries with White Chocolate Whipped Cream.

Jeffrey’s
501 New Haven Ave., Milford
(203) 878-1910

This will be your last chance to experience Jeffrey’s as we know it. In the coming months, Milford’s bastion of style will take on a more casual tone, and transform itself into a bistro-type restaurant with chalkboard specials and fare that is less fancy.

So, for now, revel in Jeffrey’s fanciness. This year, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, a special Valentine’s menu will be offered. It’s still being invented, but Jeffrey Johnson promises that his chef, Osvaldo Ramirez, will present a la carte beauties like Wild King Alaskan Salmon, a filet mignon, a lobster special, a lamb special and thrilling desserts. There will also be piano music and that elegant atmosphere to savor.

Call for menu details and for reservations.