flickr image by nathanborror http://www.flickr.com/photos/sketch22/2267275964/

You don’t need to be a gourmet cook to do this.  A simple and delicious home cooked meal can be made by you or it can be ordered from a trusted store.   

Take into consideration these tips when planning a home-made romantic dinner. 

It is very important that the ingredients should be the best of its kind.  You can make a simple roast chicken but get the freshest one you can find.  The salad should be crisp and the dressing made of the best extra virgin olive oil available.   The vegetables should be fresh, organic, and cooked to tender perfection.  Make sure you buy a bottle of wine.  It need not be expensive, but it should complement the meal.  Ask advice from your local wine merchant on what beverage would best suit your meal and your budget.  

Don’t forget the dessert.  Whether it’s a pie or a cake, if you can’t make it yourself, buy it from the best bakery in town.  Almost every city has specialty shops where good food can be bought, so there is no excuse for not serving a delicious and beautifully presented meal.

You may bring out your nice plain table cloth and set up a creative tablescape.  Go for a theme or motif, such as reds or whites, garden, or Japanese, safari or whatever—it’s up to you.  Get creative and work with what you have.  Set up your finest china and silverware.  It’s about time you use them. 

flickr photo by uberculture http://www.flickr.com/photos/uberculture/2238423921/

If you both wish, end the dinner with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and cake.