The Mardi Gras spirit is not at all dampened at the Dixie Grill, which is again celebrating all things New Orleans this month with a special menu, including French Market Onion Soup, N'Awlins Bar-b-Que Shrimp, Peacemaker Po'boy (fried oysters and shrimp on french bread with lemon tartare sauce), jambalaya with smoked chicken and sausage, and Louisiana Soft- shell Crab Etouffee. A special dessert is Beads & Brulee — you keep the beads, not eat them. The menu, plus rotating daily specials, continues at both Dixie Grill locations through Feb. 28.

Another February special is Martini Madness at Sergio's Italian Restaurant at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, with Grey Goose and Bacardi martini drinks featured at $5 and free appetizers by chef Marc Anthony. Martini Madness is celebrated nightly from 5 to 8 p.m. in Sergio's lounge, with free crostini with different spreads each evening.

SWEETHEART SPECIALS

IT'S TIME TO DECIDE ON VALENTINE'S DAY DINING

Whenever Valentine's Day is on a week night, couples dither about when to celebrate. Many restaurants this year are running special menus over several days, usually Saturday through Tuesday (which is Valentine's Day). Among these: Chef Mavro (six- or four-course menus, with or without wines), 944-4714, and David Paul's Lahaina Grill on Maui (herb- and Asiago-encrusted opakapaka, white chocolate ice cream with raspberry sorbet), (808) 280-7855.

Those with Tuesday-only specials include Auntie Pasto's (crab risotto), Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas (crab and shiitake mushroom canneloni, kalbi-marinated black cod), d.k. Steak House (oysters three ways, beef, chicken, cioppino or salmon), L'Uraku (crab salad, onaga in curry-infused oil).

The Kahala Culinary Academy at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel is offering another option for celebrating V-day: a hands-on class in chocolate sweets called "A Chocolate Love Affair," 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; $115, includes welcome toast, recipes and lunch. Reservations: 739-8780.