Valentines Dinner Ideas

New Zealand Valentines Dinner Ideas

Whether you're sharing a romantic dinner for two at a local restaurant or cooking up a feast for your loved one, sharing food on Valentines Day is a great way to spend an evening. Read on for Valentines dinner menu ideas, information on aphrodisiac foods and where to find romantic restaurants in your city.

• Recipes
• Cafes and Restaurants
• Food Shopping

Romantic restaurants for your Valentines dinner
The most romantic restaurant need not be the most expensive. Take your sweetheart to a favourite restaurant you share, the first restaurant you went to as a couple, or try something new and exotic for some added romance:

• Italian restaurants - FInd an authentic Italian eatery for some loved-up dining where the stars are pasta in its many shapes and forms, flatbase pizza, fresh vegetables, cheese and olive oil, complemented of course by wine.
• French restaurants - With a reputation as the most romantic nation, food from France covers dishes from souffle to creme brulee - and everything in between!
• Thai restaurants - The alluring flavours and scents of Thai cuisine are sure to woo a wide range of tastes.
• Japanese restaurants - Fresh food is the name of the game here. Be prepared for creative use of vegetables, meat and seafood; there's much more to Japanese food than sushi!
• Indian restaurants - From eyewateringly spicy to deliciously flavoursome, Indian food caters to carnivores and vegetarians alike.
• Mexican restaurants - Wash your burrito or quesadilla down with one of the 150 varieties of tequila at your local Mexican eatery.

Browse some of the romantic restaurants on offer in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and other New Zealand towns and cities, where you can enjoy a romantic Valentines dinner.

DIY romantic dinner
Making a romantic dinner for two is one of the best ways to give your Valentines gift a personal touch. Show your loved one that you care with an intimate dinner at home, following these tips for success:

1. Plan your romantic dinner menu with a selection of your shared favourite foods.

2. Get creative with some loveable treats, like heart shaped cookies, an old-fashioned Kiss Me Cake, or the favourite food of love: chocolate!

3. Consider a wine that will complement your food well (there are plenty of online wine guides if you’re unsure).

4. Set the scene with flowers, music and simple decorations - try a table set with white table cloth, a scattering of tiny heart cut-outs and tea light candles.

5. Have plans for after dinner - whether it’s watching a sentimental movie at home, taking your date to a place that has special meaning for both of you, or getting a limousine to take you into town to dance the night away.

Romantic Valentines dinner ideas
Romantic dining on Valentines Day doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Your Valentines dinner can run smoothly with some planning, attention to detail and thoughtful preparation. A romantic dinner can include:

Appetizer
A platter of tasty nibbles makes for a quick and easy appetizer, but don’t fill up too much before your meal gets started! Try gourmet bread with dips, sundried tomatoes, avocado, pesto, olives, dolmades, a selection of gourmet cheeses, figs and grapes.

Entree
Whet your partner’s appetite further with a simple soup or green salad, or serve up something exotic - roast artichoke (with a heart at its centre!) makes a great entree when paired with aioli or a spicy avocado dip.

Main
Think carefully about your main course and choose foods that are your partner’s favourite. You might like to try your hand at something different, like a rose petal salad: this Thai salad is made using chicken and shrimp with cucumber, spring onions, star fruit, peanuts and edible rose petals.

Dessert
Chocolate is always a favourite - chocolate and orange fondue, almond chocolate brownies, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate tart, and white chocolate and raspberry mousse are just a handful of choices for the chocoholic - but there are other romantic Valentines desserts to give your love a sweet treat. Try fresh fruits like blueberries, mangoes and passion fruit with yoghurt or whipped cream, a fruit tart, or a sweet cocktail.

Browse a range of Valentines dinner recipes for inspiration.

Valentines drinks
Of course, no romantic Valentines dinner for two is complete without celebratory drinks - either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. For lovey-dovey drinks, try:

• Fine wine - Whether red or white, wine is a traditional favourite. Ask at your local wine store for advice on choosing a wine to match your menu.
• Champagne - Splash out on some celebratory bubbles for Valentines Day. Add a strawberry to your drinks for an extra touch, or for an alcohol-free bubbly drink try sparkling grape or apple juice.
• Cocktails - A sexy drink choice, cocktails can be enjoyed before or after dinner. Try a racy red cosmopolitan made with Vodka and Cointreau, mixed with lemon, lime and cranberry juice, and served in a martini glass.
• Fruit juice - Get a juicer and make your own freshly-squeezed fruit juices; for fresh, natural goodness, try pineapple and apple, with lime or lemon to taste.

Aphrodisiacs: foods for lovers
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, gave her name to aphrodisiacs - foods of love. While the jury is out on whether or not aphrodisiac foods actually work, they've been used for thousands of years and continue to be enjoyed today. You can include some of these delectable gourmet foods in your romantic Valentines Day feast:

• Cocoa - Once known as 'food of the gods' in Central America
• Oysters - Rich in the amino acid, taurine, these seafood treats are a romantic delicacy.
• Aniseed - A sweet, aromatic plant whose licoric-like flavour can be used in both food and beverages.
• Chocolate - Whether it increases desire is unclear, but chocolate does contain phenylethylamine and serotonin - 'feel good' chemicals.
• Chilli Peppers - These spicy critters increase heart rate and circulation, and are reputed to spice up more than just your food.
• Papaya - This fruit contains compounds that behave in a way similar to female hormones and has been used as a folk remedy for increasing female libido.
• Caviar - High in zinc, this delicacy is said to stimulate the production of testosterone.

Looking for more information? Find Valentines dinner ideas and romantic restaurants in the NZS.com directory.

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Seasons and Celebrations images from Flickr: Truffles, Pastry and Christmas in Love.