la.foodblogging

I’ve never been much for going out to fancy restaurants for holidays. They’re crowded, they jack up the price and it just feels like you’re part of a crowd.

It’s too late for a reservation anyway, but there’s no reason to panic or feel like you’re missing out. So how do you still mark the day for lovers without going out for dinner?

A picnic. It doesn’t have to be fancy. My husband and I love to go to Whole Foods and pick up fresh-made sandwiches and head to Pt. Dume for an afternoon of sea gazing. You can customize this for a more romantic evening. Think about what your mate likes, suprise them or pick out the food together.

Think about things that are easy to pack, don’t need refrigerations and are fun to share.

For dessert, I recommend getting in touch with your sensual side. Grapes or berries are pretty classic, but maybe something a little different like a bottle of nice red wine or a set of tasting squares of chocolate. (E. Guittard and Lake Champlain have some great little kits and I just picked up a set from Dolfin at that liquor store on Silverlake Blvd. that features different flavored chocolates). Sit with your beloved and talk about the flavors, the taste, the texture, the notes. Let’s face it, talking about how you sense things is the very essence of sensuality. You get to know things about each other - how much bitterness they can tolerate, how much subtlety they can pick up on … these are good things!

So, you can’t get off early enough for a sunset at the beach? No problem, we have a near full moon on Tuesday, so a dusk beach walk might be fun. Zip up to Mulholland and look at the city lights. Think about rooftops … seriously. Even the parking garage over at The Grove has an amazing view - why not have a tailgate party, put a CD on the stereo, sit up on the hood and gaze out on the beautiful city. Don’t overthink it either, if it’s just a bench over by the lake at Echo Park or maybe sitting on the back steps looking at the yard, it’s special because you’re connecting.

Can’t go out? Make something at home. A simple pasta with a fresh tomato sauce (there are plenty of fresh and flavorful prepared options at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Gelsons, Bristol Farms and even Von’s these days) or a couple of baked chicken breasts. Just remember to make the plate pretty. Pick food that looks good, that says that you’re thinking about all the senses - color and texture along with smells and tastes. Fresh prepared Sushi can be a wonderful at-home meal with pretty plates and some candles, a little sake or white wine.

For dessert? Check out the bakery case at the grocer for little tarts or individual cakes. Cupcakes are super-fun options and you can be assured that they’re decorated in the LUV style today. An assortment of cute cookies never fails to impress and it makes it fun to share. Or go a step further and make your own chocolate dipped strawberries. They’re so easy! Just pick up a basket of strawberries and wash them (and dry them completely). Melt some chocolate (really, any chocolate will do) in the microwave or in a double boiler. Dip and place on wax paper to firm up. Serve at room temperature (when they’re chilled they get a little crackly and the berries tend to weep).

Don’t be afraid of candy from the grocery or drug store. Even those NECCO conversation hearts can be fun when you snuggle up with a DVD on the TV (or watching the Olympics).

Think outside the heart-shaped box of chocolates. There are lots of ways to connect that don’t involved restaurants … but don’t skimp on the food. You can work off any indulgences later on.

By cybele (see more of her posts). You can find more of cybele's writing all about candy at her own website Candyblog.net