A Romantic Dinner for Two Guide

You don't have to spend your entire paycheck at a restaraunt that is likely busy, hectic, and loud. The most romantic Valentine's Day dinner can be at home. You won't need to worry about noise, incorrect orders, and a two hour long waiting line to be seated. Instead, you can relax and be romantic in the company of each other. Here are all the items and tips you'll need to pull off a perfectly romantic Valentine's Day dinner at home.

Creating an Atmosphere

The single most important part of a romantic dinner at home is creating a romantic atmosphere. You don't want the meal to be the same as a run of the mill Monday night dinner in front of the telly. Setting the mood isn't as hard as it looks. With these key items, any normal dinner table can be transformed into a magical dining experience.

Table Dressings
Use a tablecloth  or pressed linens  to transform your kitchen table into a dining table of luxury. Look for pinks,  reds,  white,  or her favourite colour to make the table extra special.	Scatter rose petals  or heart-shaped doilies  to dress up a tablecloth or to add romance to a plain table if you don't have a tablecloth.	Fresh flowers  are a must! Use them in a vase  as the centrepiece  or scatter a few petals on the edge of the plates.	Candles, coupled with dim lights, can really set the mood of the location. Stock up on candelabras,  candle holders,  or float a few tea lights  in a glass salad bowl.	If you don't have a tablecloth or if you want to set up a unique layout, you could set up a picnic blanket  on the floor by the fire or in another favourite spot and settle down for a cosy dinner.

Menu

Italian Cuisine

An Italian dinner is usually the safest bet when you aren't exactly sure of your sweetheart's food preferences. Most people can at least tolerate Italian food, making it ideal for those still getting to know their date. Another plus is that Italian food is pretty easy to make, so you won't need extraordinary culinary skills. To set the mood, play Italian music  in the background and lay down a red and white tablecloth. 

Beverages Try starting the night with Chianti,  a famous red wine of Italy. If you like your wine bubbly, opt for Prosecco,  an Italian sparkling wine.  Those who prefer beer will love Peroni.  A sparkling fruit cider  is a great non-alcoholic option.	Appetizers Try making mini toasted paninis,  a tomato and mozzarella salad,  garlic bread,  or bruschetta.	Main Course Chicken marsala  is a favourite among most for a main course. Chicken parmesan  (or eggplant parmesan  for vegetarians), homemade pizza,  lasagne,  or pasta  are also excellent entrée ideas.	Dessert Tiramisu  is a delicious dessert that is filling, tasty, and not too difficult to make. Gelato  is a cool treat for after dinner that is fun to share with your sweetheart.

French Carte du Jour

If you want to try making a dinner that screams Parisian romance, try setting the mood with accordian music.  French food isn't as difficult to make as many believe. Try this menu below for a meal bursting with flavour and glamour. 

Beverages Try a French wine to go perfectly with the dinner. Champagne  is a good choice for adding some extra glamour to the meal. You can also try a French aperitif  or non-alcoholic sparkling fruit juice.	Appetizers Try French bread  with brie  or another soft cheese.  Beat a winter chill with home-made French onion soup,  or opt for a fresh salad.	Main Course Try a nice steak,  thin cut French fries,  and a side dish of sautéed green beans. A quiche  is another option, with meat, seafood, vegetables, or just cheese. A spinach soufflé  will make most vegetarians smitten.	Dessert There are so many delicious options for a French dessert.  Try making eclairs,  chocolate mousse,  pumpkin mousse,  raspberry bottereaux,  chocolate torte,  chocolate souffle,  a fruit tart,  truffles,  profiteroles  (cream puffs), peches melba,  or honeyed fruit salad.

Related Guides

Valentine's Day Gifts	A Romantic Picnic	Valentine's Day Decorations	Edible Aphrodisiacs	Breakfast in Bed

External Links

• About.com: A delicious assortment of delectable dinner treats for those who have some culinary class.
• About.com: French recipes, including dessert, appetizers, and coffee.
• About.com: Italian recipes for those planning an Italian menu.
• AllRecipes.com: A wide variety of baked goods, sweets, and dinner recipes to try out.
• EzineArticles.com: A dinner to "Knock His Socks Off."
• FabulousFoods.com: A menu from start to finish that's easy to make.
• NZgirl.co.nz: Recipe idea for the able cook and those who are beginner cooks.
• RazzleDazzleRecipes.com: A good selection of easy to medium difficulty dishes to make for a romantic dinner.
• RecipesToday.com: These recipes will show you how to cook a Valentine's Day dinner on a tight budget.
• SoYouWanna.com: Check out these tips for creating a dinner full of romance.
• IMakeNews.com: A few recipe ideas for a complete dinner.