One of the hardest meals to prepare is a romantic one. There is the feeling that everything is on the line, and so it can create its very own stresses. However, the meal itself is almost easy compared to creating the required atmosphere. The good news is that if you pull it off, you can get away with a lot when it comes to the meal itself; after all, as a bachelor it's generally assumed that cooking is not one of your strong skills, and so you just need to make a strong effort. Setting the stage for the dinner should be your major worry, an that's not really hard to do.
As Guardians of the Galaxy showed, a good mix tape can make a good thing great. If you are like any other bachelor, you should have access to a great sound system. Your dinner needs a good soundtrack, and there are a number of different ways to set up a playlist, ranging from Pandora to iTunes to even Youtube. You need to find about 45-60 minutes of good music and then put it together on a playlist. You want something slow, romantic, and works at a low volume. You should be thinking in terms of Barry White more than rap; country music and old-school R&B are your best friends. Just remember that you want music that sounds good without being schmaltzy; you want to set a mood and hopefully that mood will transfer over. Music is the best way to get it going.
The table is going to need to be set with extreme care. You don't need to worry about all of the extra silverware; a simple set, a napkin, and a water glass is all you need. Straight up: If you're confused by all of the extra silverware, odds are she is as well, and you don't want to embarrass her. Just make sure the fork is on the left and the knife and spoon is on the right and you should do okay. However, you are going to want a tablecloth, the cleaner the better, and placemats. You want them placed on opposite sides of the tables, preferably on the sides closest together and centered. Make sure that you use the best you have, preferably a matching set, as well as two saucers, a salad plate or soup bowl, and a plate for both of you. Use the plate to determine where the silverware should go, and then put it in the kitchen.
Like any production, lighting is paramount. Once you have the settings placed, you're going to want to place candles. Place at least three candles between the places with the tallest one in the center. On the places not used place three to four candles in a straight line along the edge. Place a few candles randomly throughout the dining room. You can use battery-powered candles, but they just don't give off the same light; they are just too white. Just before the other person gets there, make sure that the candles are lit and that lights are turned down; they should be turned down low enough that you can still see but also so that the candles contribute to the general glow.
Make sure that whatever drinks you have chosen are ready to go but not opened. In the kitchen, the dinner should be ready, or almost ready. The salad should be plated in the kitchen, ready to go minus the dressing (unless the dressing is part of the salad). when your date shows up, pull out the chair, let her sit down, and push her under the table. At this point the dinner should begin; pour drinks while keeping the conversation light and then go grab the salad. You'll want to make sure that forks remain on the table when you take the salad plate, or you can replace it. Serve the dinner, and worry more about the conversation than dinner. Accept any compliments but don't dwell on them; the dinner should be about her not the food. Once the dinner plate has been removed, give her the option of the living room for dessert.
Keep in mind that the advantage to serving a cold dessert is that it makes the perfect excuse for cuddling,especially if the weather outside is cold.If you have a present, and that is advised, when dessert is over is the best time to present it. Put the dishes in the sink with the other dishes to give her some time alone with the present, and let them sit until morning; you can enjoy a little time with whoever you ate dinner with before she leaves, assuming she leaves. After all, all of this may have given you a chance for an additional romantic moment.
As Guardians of the Galaxy showed, a good mix tape can make a good thing great. If you are like any other bachelor, you should have access to a great sound system. Your dinner needs a good soundtrack, and there are a number of different ways to set up a playlist, ranging from Pandora to iTunes to even Youtube. You need to find about 45-60 minutes of good music and then put it together on a playlist. You want something slow, romantic, and works at a low volume. You should be thinking in terms of Barry White more than rap; country music and old-school R&B are your best friends. Just remember that you want music that sounds good without being schmaltzy; you want to set a mood and hopefully that mood will transfer over. Music is the best way to get it going.
The table is going to need to be set with extreme care. You don't need to worry about all of the extra silverware; a simple set, a napkin, and a water glass is all you need. Straight up: If you're confused by all of the extra silverware, odds are she is as well, and you don't want to embarrass her. Just make sure the fork is on the left and the knife and spoon is on the right and you should do okay. However, you are going to want a tablecloth, the cleaner the better, and placemats. You want them placed on opposite sides of the tables, preferably on the sides closest together and centered. Make sure that you use the best you have, preferably a matching set, as well as two saucers, a salad plate or soup bowl, and a plate for both of you. Use the plate to determine where the silverware should go, and then put it in the kitchen.
Like any production, lighting is paramount. Once you have the settings placed, you're going to want to place candles. Place at least three candles between the places with the tallest one in the center. On the places not used place three to four candles in a straight line along the edge. Place a few candles randomly throughout the dining room. You can use battery-powered candles, but they just don't give off the same light; they are just too white. Just before the other person gets there, make sure that the candles are lit and that lights are turned down; they should be turned down low enough that you can still see but also so that the candles contribute to the general glow.
Make sure that whatever drinks you have chosen are ready to go but not opened. In the kitchen, the dinner should be ready, or almost ready. The salad should be plated in the kitchen, ready to go minus the dressing (unless the dressing is part of the salad). when your date shows up, pull out the chair, let her sit down, and push her under the table. At this point the dinner should begin; pour drinks while keeping the conversation light and then go grab the salad. You'll want to make sure that forks remain on the table when you take the salad plate, or you can replace it. Serve the dinner, and worry more about the conversation than dinner. Accept any compliments but don't dwell on them; the dinner should be about her not the food. Once the dinner plate has been removed, give her the option of the living room for dessert.
Keep in mind that the advantage to serving a cold dessert is that it makes the perfect excuse for cuddling,especially if the weather outside is cold.If you have a present, and that is advised, when dessert is over is the best time to present it. Put the dishes in the sink with the other dishes to give her some time alone with the present, and let them sit until morning; you can enjoy a little time with whoever you ate dinner with before she leaves, assuming she leaves. After all, all of this may have given you a chance for an additional romantic moment.
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