Valentine Day ideas, D.I.Y.

Valentine's Day can be exhilarating for some but excruciating for others. A bit like life really or as Forest Gump say in the film it is like a box of chocolates you do not know what you are going to get.

So how can I help well that is a good question and the real answer is I do not know but al I can say is this is the kind of atmosphere that I have tried to create in the past in the many restaurants that I have managed to make things go a little smoother.

The best way any one has ever summed it up to me was an old restaurant manager who referred to any couple who came to eat at the restaurant for any occasion we had to create an area of “Stress-free seduction coupled with a personal touch.” to ensure that, whomever you are with, you enjoy the occasion.

To surprise your valentine is not easy and you will have to do a little hard work but to do this all your self says a lot more than just booking some thing.  It shows that you have put in the effort and time especially for them.  All you need to do at the end of it all is relax in the comfort of your own home a environment that you have control over and not at the mercy of to many cover and to few waiting staff.  If you plan your menu then you can have a load of things done and ready to go so you do not have to spend all night in the kitchen.  And you can organise the wine that you really want with out having to pay restaurant prices.

So to set the perfect tone for the big night first you will need to do some of the following to make things that little bit more special

• Create beautiful surroundings with romantic décor such as rose petals, candle light, flowers, romantic music
• Set up the dining table with our best tableware and decorate the insides of the glasses with a long strand of lime or lemon peel
• Design a menu to tantalize your taste buds
• Mix a specially concocted cocktail
• Serve Champagne with either a strawberry or raspberry into the bottom of glasses

Now as to a menu try some thing like this

Lemon, orange, and lime and sweet potato with rocket salad.

One dozen fresh oysters

Baked chicken barest wrapped in smoked bacon and a light sauce of mushroom and tarragon, with new potatoes and mixed vegetables

Heart shaped fresh berry shortbread

This might sound very hard but in fact you can have every thing done in advance , salad can be made in advance and just sit it in the fridge to bring together just before your guest arrives. Oyster will have to be opened and set on a bed of ice, you can have the ice ready to go in the freezer, and it is not that difficult to open oysters.  As you take the oysters in for you to share, remember sharing food is romantic put the chicken in the oven set on a medium heat and put the kettle on. Then when you finish the oysters you have some hot water to heat the vegetables and potatoes or arrange them on a plate and set them in the microwave. Finally your hart shaped short bread made in advance just add some cream fresh red berries top with another shortbread and a sprinkle of icing sugar and you are done.

All you need to do is take the time think it out and do as much in advance as you can , then you will spend more time with the person you want to be with and not your stove.