GOOD TASTES.

CHOCOLATES GALORE

GODIVA: The grand prize in this year's Godiva Chocolatier's Valentine's Day promotion is a new BMW 6 Series Coupe (not yet available at U.S. dealerships) and a trip for two to attend the BMW Driving School in Spartanburg, S.C. (valued at more than $70,000). The winning certificate for the car along with certificates for 100 first-prize romantic European vacations for two will be found nestled in select boxes (Valentine's Day Ballotin, Satin Heart, Satin Truffle Heart, Grande Desire Gift Box, Heart's Desire Gift Box and True Love Heart) of Godiva's elegant Symphony in Red 2004 Valentine's Day collection ($23 and up). The collection is available at Godiva boutiques and selected department and specialty stores, or call [phone]. Good luck!

SEE'S CANDIES: Splurge on the old standby See's for all kinds and sizes of Valentine-shaped boxes of candies along with special novelty items like a small heart tin filled with heart-shaped foil-wrapped milk chocolate candies; hot cinnamon candy hearts; bags of red foil hearts and more. Don't forget the Tuxedo Heart, filled with a pound of chocolates, for the man in your life. Stop by the stores, order online at www.sees.com or call [phone].

- Natalie Haughton

BEER WITH CHOCOLATE

For a unique Valentine's Day gift for the beer and chocolate lover, opt for a bottle of the new Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock. Samuel Adams teamed up with Scharffen Berger Chocolate to create the brew designed to appeal to the palates of beer and chocolate connoisseurs. The limited-edition beer (50,000 bottles brewed), packaged in a 750 milliliter bottle with an embossed pewter label, has a suggested retail price of $14.99. It can accompany a meal (the company notes it's good with roasted chicken or mixed sausage grill) or be served for dessert by itself or with chocolate or mocha cheesecake, chocolate mousse, mascarpone cheese and fresh fruit, etc. Pick up a bottle at Duke of Bourbon (20908 Roscoe Blvd., Canoga Park, phone: [phone]) and other retailers.

- N.H.

DINING OUT

Pronounced ``loo-chay'' and meaning ``light'' in Italian, one might surmise that the new Luce in Beverly Hills cooks the food of Italy.

Not really. Yes, you'll find pastas on the menu, but the Luce kitchen under the direction of chef Richard Earle seems to be more mainstream American with upscale twists.

The 10 entrees ($18 to $33) include beef, chicken, lamb and a quartet of fish plates. But Earle spruces up his rack of lamb ($28) with a pine-nut crust, a touch of red curry and accompanies the coned stack of chops with a sweet potato and eggplant tart and a spear or two of asparagus.

He evidently likes making eggplant tarts. There's one with manchego cheese ($10) on his appetizer list ($9 to $15). But burrata cheese with yellow and red tomatoes ($12) drizzled with olive oil could end up being the star starter at Luce.

Luce at 301 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, and featuring a dramatic raised ebony bar, is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and for dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. nightly except Sundays. Information and reservations: [phone].

- Larry Lipson

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

(1) no caption (book of Godiva Chocolate)

(2) no caption (See's candy)

(3) no caption (Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock)