AMY SOHN, New York Mating Columnist and author of My Old Man.

So who has more fun on Valentine's Day, couples or single people? You almost have more fun when you're not on a real date. And there's so much pressure around this B.S. holiday that there's almost no way it can live up to expectation. So what can us single people do? For three years in a row before I got married I went to this party at B-Bar where you get dared to do scandalous things all night. One time I got dared to make out with this guy, but when I finally worked up the courage he said he had to go to the bathroom but took his drink with him. Ouch! So what are you and your new hubby doing this year? I hate going out to dinner on Valentine's Day. Those prix fixe menus are so limited and you end up paying three times extra. Everybody gets screwed because you're spending more money than you need to. It's a real bummer. We'll probably end up making dinner and renting a movie. How 'bout some advice: Do ___ on Valentine's Day. Don't ___. Do get a facial on Valentine's Day. Don't get too drunk.

GARY VOLKOV, Executive Chef, One if by Land, Two if by Sea

What are some tasty aphrodisiacs? Chocolate, oysters, anything exotic and definitely anything spicy! Sounds hot. And what are your specialties? I try to incorporate chocolate in any "romantic" dish I make. But it's not just about the food, it's about the whole atmosphere—the texture of the chocolate, the shape of the dessert, the way the berries fall, the layers of whipped cream—it all matters. If a couple booked a table at One if by Land... on Valentine's Day, what should they absolutely try? Definitely my oyster martini—a martini glass lined with rose petals and filled with oysters and champage. Is there still time to book a table? Maybe for V-Day 2006—we've been booked this year since December! And what are you doing for Valentine's Day? Working. I will be here fairly late, but Valentine's Day is my ten-year wedding anniversary. It doesn't get more romantic than that!

LYDIA A. RUTH, Director of PR & Special Events Coordinator at the Empire State Building

How many weddings take place at the Empire State on Valentine's Day? We get an average of 25 applications each year. This year we had 14 and then a couple of couples broke up, so we should have about 10 or 11. We also do renewals of vows. Any tips for couples who want to get married here? Well, the couple has to write a letter by 12/31, and we're really looking for a strong romantic attachment to the building, maybe they proposed or had a first date here, maybe their apartment looks out on the building. Are you ever involved in the ceremonies? We have an non-denominational minister, Rev. Paula Posman, who talks to each couple and tries to individualize each service. I've been the witness several times when it's just a couple showing up to get married. So what kinds of couples are these? People who would normally get married in their City Hall; they're getting married for free. I don't think someone's ever gotten married here who was giving up the chance to get married at the Pierre Hotel. And the outfits? Some of them wear regular clothes, some come in the whole white gown, some people are eloping, it crosses the whole panorama of weddings. Do you wear anything special? Something red with heart jewelry. What do all those weddings do to your own Valentine's plans? It's kind of a shame because it takes any personal enjoyment out of Valentine's Day. Believe me after I'm here from 6 a.m. on marble floors in heels, I'm not in the mood to go out.

MARC A. RAPAPORT, Divorce Lawyer

What time of year is busiest? January and February are big months for divorce lawyers. After all the holidays, divorces tend to become very intense. Any particular trends this year? A lot of people in the military are facing divorce. Their marriages are failing at an astronomical rate and some of them are even finding divorce lawyers over the Internet from Iraq. What advice would you have for a couple about to marry? A pre-nuptial agreement. It's particularly appropriate in New York, where people tend to get married later after acquiring more assets. Do clients ever flirt or ask you out? Constantly. I'm 37 years old and married, but I began when I was single. I can't stress enough that any involvement is forbidden; it's a rule that I stringently adhere to. Although...a single person without any boundaries could enter into this part of the legal profession and develop quite the love life out of it. What are your own plans for Valentine's Day? A judge whom I suspect has an odd sense of humor has scheduled a very nasty divorce trial to begin on Valentine's Day between a couple who are still pursuing their mutual hatred of each other after six years of continuous litigation in four different courts and two different states. Wow. And after the trial? It'll be a late dinner with my wife at Da Andrea, my absolute favorite. I have an allergy, but they know me very well and don't need to ask how to prepare my food. One last piece of lawyerly advice: what should you absolutely not do on Valentine's Day? Don't make plans with your lover using an email account that your spouse has access to. I've had people come in with email messages going back years and they make wonderful evidence.

RICHARD HAYES, MD, NYU Medical Center.

Any there any studies showing that people in relationships have better hearts than singles? There have been many studies on marital stress and the heart. Studies show that when a spouse dies, there is a definite increase in medical problems across the board. So what's your cure for a broken heart? Friends, family, therapy, drugs (just kidding). Time—definitely time. And what are you doing this year for Valentine's Day? Nothing yet. I have no plans. Well what have you done in previous years? You know, I can't really remember. I hope my ex-wife doesn't read this!