Date night. You look forward to it…but a poor choice can quickly take your date night from romantic to rude. And why is it so hard to choose a great restaurant, anyway? This week, skip the stereotype and follow our quick tips and great date night ideas. We guarantee they’ll help get you out of your date night rut!
1. Plan Ahead
The secret to every great date involves a little preparation. There’s a time and place for spontaneity, but when it comes to at home date night ideas, it’s best to plan ahead. Think about how much time you’ll need to pull off your plans, and make sure to allow yourself a little extra time, just in case. No one likes a sloppy dinner date, and we promise both of you will be much happier if waiting a little longer on dinner will mean you are calm, cool, collected and ready to enjoy your evening together.
2. Craft an Amazing Menu
In our opinion, a great romantic dinner calls for great steak. Super Trimmed Filet Mignon, Kansas City Strip, Ribeye…choose your favorite cuts and build the rest of your menu from there. Be sure to include complementary sides which plate well and add to the visual presentation. Some of our favorite date night recipes include a little extra time, but they are well worth it.
Here are five romantic date night recipes to help get you started!
Tender, buttery pan-roasted Filet Mignon, topped with a rich wild mushroom cream. Serve with a fresh Caesar salad and Lobster Loaded Potatoes. Paired wine: Zinfandel
Perfectly grilled, melt in your mouth tenderloin, with a creamy avocado butter sauce. Serve with Creamed Spinach or Butternut Squash Risotto. Pair with a Bordeaux, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Take your date night ideas to the next level with a romantic Surf and Turf menu. Tender Filet Mignon, stuffed with savory lump crab meat and citrus buttered, cold water Maine lobster tails. Serve with a light salad and pair with Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir.
You might want to wear your boots for this one. Succulent bone-in ribeye with bacon, onion and other ingredients are cooked to perfection and served with flavorful grilled asparagus. Pair with a Sauvignon Blanc.
Ever popular bone-in Kansas City Strip steaks, served with roasted fingerling potatoes, fried shishito peppers and peruvian aji…this is one meal neither of you will forget. From prep to plate in under an hour, we think this is one date night recipe you’ll soon call a favorite.
3. Communicate Clearly
If there’s one thing most couples can agree on, it’s that poor communication is the root of many, if not most, disagreements! Avoid this common date night pitfall and set clear expectations about what your date night has in store. If you’ll be enjoying a romantic dinner and dancing at your place, make sure you share that information! If your date night will be a little more laid back and you plan to grill and play board games or watch a movie, be sure you set those expectations.
4. It’s All in the Details
The key to a fantastic at home date night is all in the details. If you are hosting date night, go out of your way to surprise your partner with a few details that let them know you pay attention and care about them. Something as simple as a vase of their favorite flowers on the table, a favorite bottle of wine or dessert, or meaningful mood music will make all the difference.
5. Relax
Nothing kills romance like a stressed-out partner. Don’t take yourself so seriously that you aren’t able to laugh and have a good time. Date night should be romantic, fun and above all, focused on the two of you and your relationship. If something in your plan is causing you stress, reevaluate whether that component is necessary for your date night. If it isn’t necessary, let it go and do something different! If it is, take a breath and remember that in the long run, you are together, and that’s what counts.
Tell us in the comments below, what is your favorite date night recipe?
