With only a few days left until Valentine's, we thought that it would be fun to take a look at the role that food can play in our relationships with a little series leading into February 14th. Only one day left in the countdown, now!
If you're looking for a recipe for romance, are you more likely to plan for dinner at home, or to make a reservation at your favorite romantic restaurant? There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Eating at home will give you control over the food and the atmosphere, both of which can be tailored to your, or your significant other's, tastes. The drawbacks are that you have to do all of the prep work yourself, as well as the cleanup, and you're limited by what you have to work with, which could mean mismatched serving pieces and no espresso after dinner.
In a restaurant, you won't get the kind of privacy that you can enjoy at home and you are limited in your menu options - especially on Valentine's Day when many places offer prix fixe dinners. On the positive side, you are free to focus all of your attention on your dining partner, rather than on cooking and cleanup.
Restaurants are a done deal, but if you do decide to dine in, there are a couple of alternatives to you doing all the cooking and serving. For example, you could consider hiring a personal chef to work for the night, effectively bringing the restaurant home. Alternatively, you could cook with your partner, which will keep you together, engaged and making a very special meal.
A fraking amazing Battlestar Galactica cake
Iced Tea 101
Pierogies + cheese + onions + kraut = Parmageddon!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2007 @ 12:06PM
MikeB said...
We always split Valentines to two weekends. One weekend we stay home and do fondue how we like it, with what foods we like, while enjoying a bottle or two of wine (don't have to drive!), and all at about half the price of what the Melting Pot charges. Its great being able to spread the food and wine over a 4-5 hour period so you don't get too full and you have time for... err, impromptu activities. The next weekend we pick a nice restaurant and go when the crowds are gone. We feel no specific need to celebrate on the designated day so it works well. We'd much rather enjoy ourselves than feel the pressure of trying to cram it all in when everyone else does.
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2-13-2007 @ 12:47PM
ryan said...
An additonal downside for doing it at home is there is a chance that you may mess up something in the prep (I said you, not me ;-) ), like was that 1/4 tsp cream of tarter or 1/4 Tbs. Then since you don't have a full service kitchen, it's pizza on valentines day.
But I still vote the dine in 100% of the time, just there is always that caveat.
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2-13-2007 @ 4:17PM
Angie said...
My boyfriend is getting out of class very late (9 P.M.) so we decided to order take out and I'm going to make a simple dessert: strawberry shortcake. We're planning on dining out on the weekend to make up for not going out on Valentine's Day. :)
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2-13-2007 @ 4:21PM
bdw said...
Valentines night is amateur hour, just like New Year's Eve or St Patrick's day, and just like going out drinking on those days, I won't go to a restaurant on Valentines day. Rushed service, by-the-numbers food, waiting, people waiting hungrily on you--perish forbid you should want to linger. We'll go out tonight, since it's her day off, but we could go out on the 15'th or on the weekend.
Tomorrow, she's gooking pesto (cooking is too complicated for Valentine's), champaigne is cooling in the fridge (actually a nice Spanish sparkling wine since we don't buy French, yeah, still) and I have an order placed at a local chocolatier.
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2-13-2007 @ 4:28PM
Cyn said...
Hubby always cooks for us on Valentine's. He's not a chef, but his specialty of steak and potatoes followed by chocolate cake can't be more special to me. I remember our first Valentine's day- he was working a 6am shift, and I got off at midnight- He cooked dinner so it was ready when I got off, and he still went to work the next day.
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