Welcome to February, the month with the most romantic of holidays!  Have you and your significant other made dinner plans yet?  If not, then act fast to secure a table because after Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day is the second-busiest day of the year for restaurants.  Interestingly, Google searches for restaurants peak in the days leading up to February 14^th with Italian restaurant searches the greatest followed by French, Spanish, Mexican, and then American.  Even sushi is a big hit because it’s perfect for sharing.  If you’re lucky your favorite restaurant will even craft heart-shaped sushi rolls!

Speaking of heart shaped… Few things express love better than a personally prepared meal and we’re here to inspire you with a heart-themed romantic dinner for two, complete with suggestions for a captivating tablescape and adorable napkin-folding ideas. Considering that approximately 63% of Americans plan to either dine out or opt for takeout on February 14th, sidestepping the crowds and orchestrating your own memorable meal would undoubtedly make this Valentine’s Day an unforgettable experience!

Set the Mood

Setting a table for Valentine’s Day is a delightful way to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere for a special celebration with your loved one. And paying attention to the details can make the evening that much more memorable.  Choose a color scheme that reflects the romantic spirit of Valentine’s Day. Classic choices include shades of red, pink, and white and think about incorporating gold or silver accents for an extra touch of elegance.  Pretty plates and glasses chosen just for the evening will say a lot about just how loved your sweetheart is!  

Details, Details

Once you’ve set the scene with pretty table settings let your imagination go with details that are sure to delight your Valentine.  Add a stunning centerpiece that captures the essence of love, scatter some rose petals, or pull together a combination of flowers and candles that will add a romantic touch to the table.   A romantic napkin fold will really leave them stunned! 

For Starters

Show your love to your Valentine the minute they walk in the door with something to sip while the dinner is prepared and of course something to nibble on too.  If it’s heart-shaped even better – both heart-shaped?  That’s double the love!

The “Hearty” Main Course

Instead of hearts on your sleeve they will be on your plate with this hearty main course of salad, pasta and garlic bread.  Healthy grilled romaine salad is dressed up with heart healthy and heart-shaped avocado.  This salad is the perfect complement to a 4-Cheese Ravioli that isn’t in the traditional circle or square.  Here, ‘Every Day Annie’ shows you just how easy it is to roll out your pasta dough, press it into bite-sized hearts and fill with a delicious four cheese stuffing.  Top with a little sauce and get ready to dunk your garlic bread because it will be a dinner to remember!

Something Sweet for your Sweetheart

Show your Valentine that your heart is in the right place with a sweet treat to end the night with this adorable heart-shaped cherry cheesecake made with ricotta and a touch of honey.  And, of course, when topped with sweet, red cherries, this delectable dessert will have them begging for just one more slice! 

So, there we have it!  A complete Valentine’s Day dinner that will be remembered for a lifetime.  The only problem will be how you’ll top it next year.  If you’re still looking for a gift, there’s still time to order something amazing – check out our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide or our Cami & Tap sale with selections from both that are sure to make your lover’s heart flutter!  Until then we’ll see you in the next blog!

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Deb Fries works with the Julianna Rae team to offer the best shopping experience for quality silk and cotton sleepwear while also writing for the blog at Juliannarae.com.