Romantic Dinner for Two – Start to Finish!
We’ve created the perfect menu for a romantic dinner for two and we’ll walk you to it from start to finish. Delicious dinner for two ideas that are great for a Valentine’s dinner or a dinner date at home.
If it isn’t obviously by now food is our love language. A romantic dinner for two can be something as simple as pizza if you’re having it with someone you care about but when I want to do something special for my partner I cook.
I know it can be overwhelming to come up with the perfect menu so I’ve put one together for you. These are some of my favorite recipes for special occasions and I’ve made sure that they each have a component you can make ahead of time to make things easier on the big night.
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Start with a Drink
A glass of wine is always appreciated (for this menu you’ll want to go with a red!) but if you want to make something special this pink raspberry martini fits the bill.
Tips for Making it Ahead of Time
While you don’t want to mix this drink up before you are ready to serve you can make your simple syrup a week ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Wash and prep your fruit up to 2 days ahead.
Salad
A healthy, fresh salad is always a nice way to start a meal. I have two favorites you can choose from and both involve nuts, fruit, and cheese because that’s the best part. Choose between a tangy vinaigrette or a creamy bleu cheese dressing.
Tips for Making it Ahead of time
- While the fruit will have to wait until right before serving you can prep all of your other ingredients up to 2 days ahead of time.
- Wash and dry the lettuce, measure out the nuts, cheese, and dried cranberries (if you’re making the winter salad).
- Make your dressing up to 1 week in advance. If you’re making the vinaigrette you will want to let it sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the olive oil to become more liquid.
Time Saver
If you need to save time you can skip making your own dressing and instead purchase a good quality dressing at the grocery store. I highly recommend Girard’s Champagne Vinaigrette for the winter salad or Lite House Blue Cheese dressing for the endive salad.
Main Course
There is just something sexy about food braised in wine. These braised short ribs are rich and decadent while also being the ultimate comfort food. Serve them over creamy polenta mixed with tangy goat cheese for the ultimate romantic dinner.
Tips for Making it Ahead of Time
Braised short ribs are even better if they are made ahead of time. You can make them 2-3 days before and store in the refrigerator or up to 2 months before and store them in the freezer.
Making them ahead of time also makes it easier to remove the excess fat from the juices to make a delicious sauce.
I have detailed instructions in this blog post about all of your options for making ahead of time and how to reheat.
What to Do With the Leftovers
This recipe makes more than you’ll need for a dinner for two but that’s ok because braised short ribs make great leftovers.
Heat them up the next day or save some for your next party and make our short rib sliders!
Tips for Making it Ahead of Time
This dish can also be made a day or two ahead of time. The key to reheating is having a little extra broth on hand and maybe a little extra cheese … because you can’t really have too much. We have detailed instructions for preparing it ahead of time here .
Alternate Side Dish
Short ribs are also delicious served over creamy mashed potatoes and this is the best recipe you’ll find! Easy to make ahead of time!
Dessert
Last but certainly not least we have dessert. Chocolate is the quintessential dessert for showing someone just how much you love them and both of these get the message across loud and clear.
Our decadent chocolate tart is layers of rich, creamy chocolate baked into a graham cracker crust and out dark chocolate peanut butter brownies are perfectly rich and fudgy and everything you love about brownies.
You can’t go wrong with either of them.
Tips for Making it Ahead of Time
This tart tastes best fresh the day you make it. That said, you can make it up to 2 days ahead of time.
When making ahead, follow all instructions to make and bake the tart, but DO NOT make the glaze. Allow the tart to cool completely and then wrap tightly in cling wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
On the day you intend to serve it, allow the tart to sit on the counter for about 30 to 60 minutes and let it come up to room temperature. As it warms up, you can follow the instructions to make the glaze and pour it over top.
Tips for Making it Ahead of Time
You can make these amazing brownies up to 4 days ahead of time (any longer than that and they might dry out). Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to serve!
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Such a great idea for a full on full coarse meal! This is perfect for an at home date night with the hubby! Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
Yum!! I have decided for Valentine’s day my husband and I are going out early for happy hour drinks and appetizers to skip the crowds. Menu 2 sounds amazing, though, especially those bourbon soaked chocolate covered cherries!
Both of those options look wonderful. I love that you put together two entire menus. Great idea!
Ohh….how to choose?! Nothing for it…will have to have two date nights instead 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.
Everything looks so incredible! I’m licking my lips right now. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for taking the time to party with us. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you! Lou Lou Girls