By michael vivar
Going out for a romantic evening is a great idea. It can also hit the wallet pretty hard. The bill for a decadent night can run into the hundreds of dollars.
Don't be intimidated by cooking an intimate dinner at home. It's a fraction of the cost charged by scene to be seen restaurants and the cuisine is just as good. Here are some menu options.
Bone-in lamb is less expensive than a comparable cut of steak. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. Broil at 450 F for 15 minutes then convection cook at 250 F for 45 minutes. Finish with unsalted butter and let rest for five minutes.
Use a fork to poke holes in two russet or Yukon gold potatoes. Boil for a hour. Rub with olive oil. Bake in the oven at 450 F for 20 minutes to crisp the skin. Serve as is or mash with heavy cream.
Season eight stalks of asparagus with coarse salt and cracked pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake in the oven at 450 F for 20 minutes. Timed correctly, the lamb, potatoes and asparagus can be ready simultaneously.
This meal is rich. There are two options for selecting a wine. Go all in with a chewy cabernet or pinot noir. On the other hand, a pinot grigio will brighten all the flavors.
Perhaps a martini accompaniment is preferred. Combine three ounces of gin with a splash of Lillet in a cocktail mixer. Look disdainfully at a bottle of vermouth. Stir gently and strain into a stemmed glass.
Rather than a cloyingly sweet dessert, trust that the French got it right with cheese to end a meal. Soft and mild is the way to go with brie or camembert.
Foregoing dessert doesn't mean one can't indulge in a hint of sweetness. Sandeman 10-year tawny port is an excellent digestif and infuses the evening with a dreamlike haze.
If you want to keep the night going, here's a pick-me-up that impresses. Fair trade Ethiopian Harrar coffee is a dark-roasted bean that brews a rich, strong cup that may take the date places unexpectedly wonderful.