Romantic Dinners

There are a few key elements to prepare for a successful candlelit dinner, and they are all as important as each other - remember, this is not just about food. The Food - what you serve and how you serve it makes a lot of difference

Food - Careful menu choice is crucial to a successful dinner, and putting thought into planning your meal reflects how much you care about your partner. Sophisticated food is romantic - anything flambee is impressive, provided you don't set fire to the kitchen. Mediterranean food is also a good bet - it conjures up images of passionate Italians, romantic holidays and warmth. Of course, there are some foods which are always romantic - champagne and chocolate rarely fail, smoked salmon works well, and supposedly aphrodisiac foods such as oysters send the right message (even if you can't bear to eat them!). Try doing a themed menu, for example specializing in food from a specific area, or making everything heart-shaped, or reflecting a treasured time (e.g. recipes from your favourite holiday destination). Make sure that you have coffee and chocolates for the end of the meal.

The Environment - the rooms you'll be spending time in need preparing, and you'll need to set the tone with lighting and music. It's best to keep lighting subtle and intimate. Leave the main light off - use lamps, wall-lights and candles only. Experiment beforehand with the best places for the lamps. But remember people generally prefer to see what they are eating. For an extra-special effect, cover every available surface (except the table, of course) with lit candles - but remember that candles and their holders can get very hot, so PLEASE don't scar the furniture or burn the house down!

The Table - the focus of (at least part of) the evening. Even the ugliest table can be disguised with a long tablecloth, as you've probably noticed in some restaurants. Make sure that you've set the right cutlery for each course and put out the right glasses. Remember that, while you are in the kitchen collecting the next course, your partner will be looking at the table.

Finishing touches , especially thoughtful ones, make the most impact. It's the little touches that really make someone feel special. If you've gone to the trouble of dressing the table with flowers, candles and napkins, all in a consistent colour scheme, the table will look fantastic. Red or pink are probably the most romantic, but make sure whatever you choose doesn't clash horribly with the rest of the room. White can offer a 'pure' look, but a large expanse may need to be softened with another colour.

And if you have a gift to give, make sure that it is wrapped in co-ordinated paper - you could even extend the wrapping-paper theme onto the table, by making table decorations (e.g. round the candlesticks) and napkin-rings from the paper or ribbon you use to wrap.

You - don't forget to allow time to get yourself ready You've gone to all this effort to get the food, the room and the table right, but don't forget to leave time to get yourself ready. And leave work behind. Your partner doesn't want to listen to a candlelit rant at the boss. The most important thing is to relax and have a good time. It has been a lot of effort, but you'll have a wonderful evening to remember.

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