The most imaginative Valentine's Day menu we've seen from a local restaurant is the five-course prix-fixe dinner to be served at Folsom Bistro in Folsom. It's broken down by his and her dishes for each course. Aside from the predictable asparagus for him, executive chef Matthew Newton and sous chef Michael Goularte avoided gender typing while assembling the menu. She, for example, will get braised beef short ribs, while he will get the risotto croquette.

Newton says their intent in providing five dishes for him and another five for her is simply to expose the style and range of their food on a day when the relatively new restaurant is likely to draw a fairly substantial audience. The real Valentine's Day twist is that with different dishes for each course a couple will be encouraged to share what they get. For the third course, for example, he'll get a duck-confit crepe with caramelized apple and goat cheese, while she'll get puff pastry with black truffles, chanterelles and Gruyere. Ultimately, how much they want to share could be a test of their romantic commitment.

The cost is $69 per person. Newton says the restaurant isn't completely booked, though the only seatings left are early or late. For more information: (916) 990-0630.