How to Throw the Ultimate Romantic Valentine’s Dinner

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to shower your special one with love and appreciation by giving them heartfelt gifts and creating romantic memorable experiences, especially a super romantic dinner. Whether you’re an experienced chef or just passionate about food, we’ve got you covered with this guide on how to throw the ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. We’ll cover starters, a mouthwatering main course, and a delectable dessert (we’ll give you a hint: the most amazing fudgy cake you’ll find!), along with tips on creating the perfect atmosphere, a playlist and some romantic props to set up the mood. 

Creating a Romantic Atmosphere: 

1. Set the Table: Use a beautiful tablecloth, your best china, and elegant glassware to set the stage, don’t forget to add some fresh flowers as a centrepiece. 
2. Candlelight: Nothing is more romantic than a candlelight dinner. Candles create a warm and intimate atmosphere. Scatter some tea lights and pillar candles around the room, and dim the lights for a cosy ambience. 
3. Romantic Playlist: Set the mood with a curated playlist of romantic songs you both love. Some suggestions include ‘At Last’ by Etta James, ‘Video Games’ by Lana Del Rey, or ‘Baby Can I Hold You’ by Tracy Chapman. 
4. Romantic Props: Scatter rose petals on the table or heart paper confetti, and consider placing a handwritten love note or a small gift for your partner at their seat. 

Italians are famous for their passion and creativity, with Italian food being the food of romance. Taking inspiration from one of the most romantic cuisines in the world, we’ve created a menu that is sensual and hands-on. 

Check the full menu below.

Starter: Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Ingredients:

• 4 tomatoes, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, 2 minced and 1 whole
• ½ cup of fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of EVOO
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Baguette slices toasted

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, and EVOO. 
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Grab your raw clove of garlic and brush it over your toasted baguette slices. 
4. Spoon the mixture onto our toasted baguette slices. 
5. Add a little bit more EVOO and serve it immediately. 

For the main, we have a couple of options, for our meat lovers and our veggie lovers.

Main #1: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken 

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of EVOO
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup of chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley for garnish 

Instructions:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat the EVOO over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken breasts and cook until they are golden brown and no longer pink inside, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside. 
4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute. 
5. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the sauce thickens. 
6. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. 

Main #2: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Arborio rice
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup of diced onions
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ cup of dry white wine
• ½ cup of grated of Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent. 
2. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become tender. 
3. Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for a minute until the grains are coated with butter.
4. Pour in the white wine and cook until it is mostly absorbed by the rice. 
5. Gradually add the broth, one ladle at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the liquid to be absorbed before adding more. 
6. Continue this process until the rice is creamy and cooked to your desired level of tenderness (about 18 to 20 minutes). 
7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving. 

For dessert, treat your special one to a box of our decadent brownies! And if you want to dazzle here are some creative and romantic ways to serve our brownies:

• Brownie Fondue: 

  Warm up our brownies in the microwave for 10 seconds, cut them into pieces and set up a fondue station with melted chocolate. 

• Brownie Sundae Bar:

  Cut our brownies into squares or rectangles, and set up a sundae bar with various toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, sprinkles and strawberries. 

• Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches:

  Slice our brownies horizontally to create two layers, then place a scoop of your favourite ice cream flavour. Roll the edges in crushed nuts, sprinkles or mini chocolate chips for added texture. 

These creative serving ideas will elevate your experience during your Valentine’s dinner making into a delightful and memorable experience! 

With this guide, you’re on your way to throwing the ultimate and most romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for your special one. From creating a captivating atmosphere to preparing a delicious three-course meal, you’re sure to make this holiday an unforgettable one for both you and your partner. So enjoy the food, the music, and most importantly, each other’s company. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!