Valentine Sweets By Janet Bennett Washingtonpost.com Staff Wednesday, February 9, 2000

Reginald A. Pearman Jr./WPNI

Don't follow your nose to the first flower stand you see. Those too-cheap-to-believe roses have no doubt been hanging around the warehouse and are well past their prime. Okay for a one-night stand, but nothing more enduring. But Classic Flowers, which has several stands at Metro locations (Dupont Circle South, Bethesda and Shady Grove), has reliably good merchandise at prices that won't break your bank. At Flowers Unique (705 King St., Alexandria; 703/548-4638), a dozen roses in an arrangement will set you back $125. But tulips in St. Valentine's Day colors of red and white express affection just as well for a lot less – about $20 a bunch.

If you treat them right, orchids can last two months, a longer-lived testament to your love. Kensington Orchids (3301 Plyers Mill Rd., Kensington; 301/933-0036) is the largest grower between South Carolina and Chicago, with some 125,000 to 150,000 plants to choose from. Phalenopsis orchids (the easiest to maintain) sell for $25 to $35 a plant.

Mmmmmm . . . Chocolate

To those who subscribe to the notion that chocolate is an aphrodisiac, watch out because we can't be responsible for what we're about to recommend. A hand-cut chocolate heart with a matte finish of sprayed-on cocoa topped by a cut-out heart through which you can view the delectable heart's innards (the best pralines and truffles this side of France) is $39.95 for a single layer from Patisserie Poupon (1645 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202/342-3248). Although usually closed Mondays, Patisserie Poupon will remain open from 8 to 5 Valentine's Day. From Pastry Designs (4927 Elm St., Bethesda; 301/656-0536), chef Karen Corrazzini and her husband collect antique Victorian heart molds, which they use to make chocolate hearts this time of year. Inscribe your (short) personal message beneath the adorable Cupid. It's $5 and should be ordered a day ahead.

And more . . .

Pillows that sing "My Guy" or "My Girl" are $9 a piece at Chocolate Moose (1800 M St. NW; 202/465-0992). And the cards with the same tunes are just as appealing. If you're mateless on the big day, don't sweat; your dog will always love you. And for that, there are wholewheat and peanut butter hearts that can be personalized, as well as heart collars, at Three Dog Bakery in Bethesda (4924 Elm St.; 301/654-1540). And at Fetch in Alexandria (101 S. St. Asaph St.; 703/518-5188), a Big Kisser (a peanut butter and gingerbread man) is $3.

If you don't have plans to fly off to France for the weekend, wouldn't it be nice to be able to whisper sweet nothings in the language of love? Beginning French lessons at the Alliance Francaise are $300 for an eight-week session of group classes, which meet twice a week for two hours each time. If you prefer the real thing, Air France is now offering a special round-trip fare to Paris for $278.

Finally, to prove that you really have a heart, give blood to the Red Cross or make a donation to the American Heart Association.