dinner date suggestions!
 

heres some background info:
-boyfriend and i have been going together for a handful of months now.
-he's a pretty damn fine cook at an equally fine restaurant
-cooking runs in my family, with both my parents once working in the industry [my dad was a proffesional chef and created some fantastic recipes that alot of his past head chefs still use on their menus]

soo... i've been poked and prodded into cooking for my dear. and quite frankly, i know how to cook minimal things. i can't just throw a bunch of stuff together and make it taste fantastic like my parents always do. so if i ever cook something, its usually planned out the day before and involves a fair amount of helps and pointers from ma and pa.

but i figured if im going to cook for him... i might as well do it soon.

i had some ideas for an "experimental" alfredo sauce [asiago and parmasean; roasted bell peppers]. but if anyone has any other ideas for mindblowingly excellent meal, it'd be much appareciated!

[keep in mind, i probably wouldnt follow it exactly. i always change somethings to fit my personal tastes]

Many men like steaks. The keys to a great steak? Good meat and a hot fire. Find a butcher and get some great non-supermarket stuff.

Afraid of cooking a steak? Really set on Pasta? Drop the word experimental and just make what might be considered a standard pasta meal with one very important difference: use all fresh ingredients.

Pasta with meat sauce, fresh garlic bread and a good salad (coupled with a hefty red wine if you are old enough) can be mindblowing, but ensure that your results are what you hoped for. (Ingredients from specialty stores like fresh Italian Sausage, fresh tomatoes, basil, red pepper, fresh pasta and a crusty fresh bread make things work out just right)

Experiements should be left for those types of times and could cause stress that would detract from the experience. He doesn't want to see you all stressed out the entire time trying to please him. Center the meal about spending quality time over a good meal and all will be right as rain.

There are a bunch of threads in the cooking forum on date meal suggestions... but mondak's got it right -- don't experiment- cook what you are comfortable with -- if you are stressed about getting it right, then it's not a very relaxing dinner..

check out this thread: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=82653

Charlatan, the doctor of romance, has some awesome ideas in it..

I agree with Mal. Cook what you are comfortable with. I have had some very romantic dinners with just pasta and marinara. It was mostly in the presentation. Flowers, candles, and of course wine is usually a necessity to me. Good luck!

Wow, I had forgotten about that thread...

The best way to impress is to be relaxed. Have a look at the thread for the suggestions everyone made. There's some good stuff there... the most important one being, do what you know best.

The only other thing I would say is... candelight. Everyone looks better by (READ:sexy) by candlelight.

Also, take time to set the table. He may, or may not notice it, BUT a well laid table can really set the tone nicely.

This is very, very true. Before I lost my 20 lbs., candlelight was my best friend. It shows some curves without the blemishes and flaws.
If you forget everything else, remember the canlelight!! Damn, now I want a candlelight dinner :love:

JumpinJesus... take note!!!