Gentlemen, regardless of the fact that the “holiday” probably means little to you, V-Day is huge for the ladies, and if you think you’re getting by with a $3.95 Hallmark card, you’ll be dog-housing it for a couple of weeks minimum. Sure, you could drop a few hundred splurging for the typical Valentine’s Day Prefix Dinner, but why? Nothing says “I love you” better than a really nice home-cooked dinner. And given the absurd markup that restaurants feel entitled to every February 14th, you can go big and still spend way less than dining out.
Check out our plan for serving up a romantic, delicious Valentine’s Day dinner that’ll keep you in her good graces for ages.
Set a nice table with a rose in a vase to let her know you mean business. You don’t need Baccarat crystal to make it cozy and elegant. A clean white tablecloth, your best plates and silverware and a candle or two will suffice. As she takes it all in, serve her a couple pinky-red, bubble-based cocktails to stoke her giddiness. A Strawberry Bellini, Kir Royale or Cava Cocktail will start the evening off on a high note.
Seafood screams elegance so your first course should come from the deep blue sea. Oysters on the Half Shell with Cucumber Mignonette Sauce will undoubtedly ratchet up the romance factor, but if shucking, much less eating raw oysters gives you the willies, then crank up the oven and go for Clams Oreganata or Crab Cakes with Grilled Corn Relish. Both pack major flavor and can be prepared well ahead of time.
You could go all-in on the seafood theme for your main course and blow her mind with a Seared Tuna and Mango Salsa or a really easy Scallops Provencal. But if your game is grilling and the budget permits, bang out some Whole Grilled Lobsters or Grilled Lobster Tails with Ruby Red Grapefruit Vinaigrette and for the 12 minutes it takes to consume the dish your lives could hardly be any better.
Flaming Filet Mignon with Chive Butter or Asian-Spiced Duck Breasts with Ginger-Chili Glaze both would make fantastic meat options, especially when paired with Pan-Fried Asparagus with Shallots. But if vegetarianism is in play, try this Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli (made with store-bought egg roll wrappers).
It’s Valentine’s Day so for dessert you’re going with chocolate. If allergies are a concern or—God forbid—someone doesn’t like chocolate, New Orleans’ Bananas Foster will sate any sweet tooth. In the cocoa realm, if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, Chocolate Souffle or Flourless Chocolate Torte will seal the deal perfectly. For the admittedly love-struck and hopeless romantics, you couldn’t cap off the meal any better than by cueing up the Barry White and feeding each other Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.
