If going out for a night on the town doesn’t sound like your idea for a good time, there are tons of romantic dinner ideas that make a case for staying in and cooking for your loved one. While caviar, strawberries dipped in chocolate, and champagne are the obvious favorites for any romantic dinner, there are no rules you have to follow to ensure a successful evening.
As long as you create a thoughtful menu and put significant effort into your planning, your partner will be delighted with a meaningful meal that will enhance your Valentine’s Day experience.
Ready to dive in? Check out these recommendations to make your dinner the most romantic affair of the year!
1. Set the Scene
The atmosphere you create for your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner is almost as important as the meal itself. The staples for setting the mood include candles, music, and a soothing scent, but you can take your dinner to the next level by transforming your space completely. Here are some of the best ideas that will wow your partner:
- Turn the dining room into a picnic area when you replace the table with a blanket and pillows.
- Decorate your space with tons of flowers (real or fake), hanging them from the walls and ceiling.
- Light a path with tea lights from the front door to the dining room, balcony, or porch, where you have a tablecloth-covered table with more candles.
- If dining outside is an option, put up a temporary gazebo with fabric and flowers over your dining table.
- Use string lights to decorate your space instead of candles to get the same romantic glowing effect.
2. Start with an Amuse-Bouche
An amuse-bouche is a bite-size appetizer that prepares your palette and stomach for the food to come. You can have just one or two options to get your partner’s appetite going and show off your refined culinary skills. If you’re wondering what types of hors d’oeuvres you can make, these are some top options:
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Ceviche Spoons
- Tomato Basil Bruschetta
- Deviled Eggs
- Gazpacho Shooters
You want your amuse-bouche options to balance simplicity, ease, and cleverness, so you’re not working too hard on the appetizer before getting to the main meal.
3. Use the Fancy Stuff
Whether you use paper plates on a regular basis or just the basic set of silverware you got when you first moved in, this romantic Valentine’s Day dinner deserves something a little more elevated. Even if you just get a few fancy serving bowls and platters or some crystal wine glasses, setting the table with elegant tableware will transform the entire feel of your dining experience.
The cookware you use can also affect your food’s taste and quality. Using a cast iron pan to cook red meat as opposed to a Teflon-coated piece can add depth and layer to your meal. The same is true for mixing bowls and other cooking accessories. When you have a choice, opt for glass, metal, and wood instead of plastic or silicone.
4. Shop High-Quality Ingredients
When it’s time to move on to your main dish, you want to make sure the flavor is out of this world. Besides following the recipe instructions to actually cook it right, the key here is high-quality ingredients.
Whether it’s meat, herbs, fruit, or veggies, spring for the good stuff to experience more powerful flavors. Get your meat directly from a butcher shop and visit a fromager for your cheese. Spend a little extra and discover how these ingredients transform the final dish.
For red meat, especially, knowing which cuts are most tender is incredibly important. So you may have to do a little research to determine if a filet mignon, New York strip, or tenderloin is best for the dish you plan on making.
5. Pair Food with the Right Drinks
What you eat isn’t the only part of your meal — drinks are important too! Whether you choose to go non-alcoholic, add a wine menu, or whip up some fancy cocktails, knowing what pairs well with your meal can enhance the flavors of your food even more. Here are some basic guidelines to get you started:
- Red Meat + Pomegranate Juice, Red Wine, or Whiskey Cocktails
- White Meat + Strawberry Mint Tea, White Wine, or Gin Cocktails
- Fish + Lemonade, Peach Sangria, Vodka Cocktails
- Vegetarian + Soda Water, Light Bodied Wines, Sake Cocktails
- Pasta + Sparkling Water, Medium Bodied Wines, Moscow Mule
- Dessert + Coffee, Ice Wine, Creamy Liqueurs
Another general rule you can follow is that the more robust the flavor of your food, the more powerful your drink can be. If your meal revolves around strong, heavy flavors — like red meat and root vegetables — you can drink full-bodied red wines and flavorful juices.
Is your meal a little more subdued with delicate flavors? Don’t let your drinks overwhelm the food. Choose light wines, subtle juices, and refreshing cocktails.
6. Finish with an Aphrodisiac
Now that it’s time for dessert, you should finish with a bang! You can keep it simple with strawberries dipped in chocolate — a classic choice. Or, you can get creative with your aphrodisiacs using one of these ideas:
- Banana Crepes
- Homemade Chocolate Truffles
- Honey Cake
- Pomegranate Tart
- Caramelized Vanilla Almonds
- Figs and Ricotta, Drizzled with Honey
7. Have a Plan for Later
Just because you’ve finished dinner doesn’t mean your night is over. Make sure you have a plan to suit however your partner is feeling. Whether it’s watching a movie to wind down, hitting the sack, or dancing to the music you have playing in the background, you should be ready for anything!
Are you ready to plan your Valentine’s Day dinner? Follow this list and discover what works best for you!
