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A Valentines Day guide to food and drink Whether you're eating out or staying in this Valentines Day it is worth spending a few moments to think about exactly what it is you'll be eating and drinking that evening. The type of food you choose will affect the mood of the evening and it's important that you get it right if you want you Valentines Day date to go as well as possible. The type of food you choose will also vary depending on who you are with or what you are doing. Below are a few ideas to get your mind in gear so you can set the scene perfectly and have a wonderful evening. Eating out If you have opted to go to a restaurant for the evening you should think carefully about the type of food they will be serving. If you know your date well and you are sure they love a particular type of food, then that's great -- go for that. However if you've taken the plunge and asked out someone new and Valentines Day is your first date then you might want to think about a few things first. If you're trying to impress don't risk anything too dangerous that may involve using chopsticks (unless you're a dab hand) or eating with your fingers. Situations like that are sometimes embarrassing if it's not what you're used to and you're with someone you don't really know. Alternatively putting yourself in a situation that is unfamiliar to both you and your date could be fun and could be a good ice--breaker. There are no steadfast rules to follow, but just take the time to think about the situation you could potentially end up in -- and whether it's something you'd find funny and able to deal with; or if it's something that makes you stomach churn. Eating in You might like to try a bit of cooking at home for your date on Valentines Day; this will almost certainly go down well. For the girls – always remember that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach; and for the guys, girls find it very sexy to see a man cooking dinner in the kitchen. Going the DIY route is almost always going to be appreciated, especially if you can pull off something a little bit flash, or even manage to cook three courses, the effort you put in will be rewarded. Eating in is also a good way to avoid all those tables for two with each couple trying gaze more lovingly into each others eyes than those sat next to them. If you're nervous about cooking then cook something you know works well and perhaps buy part of the starter or dessert, or get a friend to help out. You can really go to town with cooking at home. You can set the scene to be exactly how you want it with the table laid beautifully, adding some candles to create atmosphere and choosing the music you want to listen to. This also gives you the freedom to take your time; you could even pick out a different wine for each course and take the time to linger over the bottle without a waiter pressing you for your dessert order. When cooking at home opt for things that smell warming and welcoming and won't create a nasty pong that will linger all evening and sink into clothes and hair -- you want your date to leave thinking of you, not the dinner they just ate. If you really must cook something very pungent then open a window and burn some scented oil or a candle after you've finished eating. (Don't do this during dinner as the combination of the fragrance and the smell of the food could be off--putting). Types of food and Drink Whether you eat in or out you could seek out some of those foods that are famous for arousing the senses. The obvious choice is to go for oysters -- perhaps the most famous of aphrodisiacs, however there are many foods out there that are thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Some of the more popular ones (and those that will be relatively easy to get your hands on) are: Chocolate, this is most definitely a good one, especially as this could also double up as your Valentines Day present. Try and choose chocolate that has a high cocoa content, which is the ingredient that triggers the release of the same chemicals in the body as when you're in love. Hopefully if your date goes well they could be receiving a double dose! There are fruits and vegetables that have aphrodisiac qualities too, popular ones are pineapple, pomegranate, strawberries, cherries, celery, squash and sweet potato (which is believed to be good at raising a woman's libido). There are also many herbs and spices that can influence the body's responses such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, basil, vanilla, garlic and ginger! In terms of what to drink the obvious choice is Champagne, maybe push the boat out and buy pink Champagne for an extra special treat. If you want a drink with aphrodisiac properties then maybe go for a juice made out of some of the fruits mentioned above and add a splash of your favourite spirit to make an interesting cocktail. Presents While being wined and dined is always a lovely experience it might be nice to give a gift to your date, just to mark the occasion and make it extra special. This could be something small like a Valentines Day mug or photograph frame. There are also lots of special Valentines Day gifts out there such as heart shaped cushions, bath accessories adorned with hearts or if you're feeling adventurous you could buy a naughty little game such as one based on the Karma Sutra. Whatever you choose to do on Valentines Day give a little thought to the evening to help it on its way and you're sure to have a wonderful time. |
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