Chefs Choose Romantic Foods

The way to a man’s heart may be through his stomach, but only if he doesn’t eat alone. Romantic interludes simply must include good food, and our favorite chefs have the menus to prove it. Here are their choices for your dual dining pleasure this month.

Richard Walker, owner of Richard Walker’s Pancake House, insists that romance requires two people sitting next to each other in one of his cozy booths, the better to share a breakfast. His menu:  a shared omelet, followed by “Chocolate Explosion” (fresh strawberries in a crepe with smooth Belgian dark chocolate and whipped cream) or the classic Eggs Benedict and fresh strawberry crepe. For drinks: freshly squeezed juice and a pot of freshly ground South American coffee.

Andrew Berlin, owner of Sushi Fix, chose his Sunset Roll of spicy tuna, crab, and avocado.  He says it’s romantic because of the name. We say it’s a little spice to get the blood flowing.

Jeff Moogk, Executive Chef at Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza thinks sharing a plate with someone is most intimate thing you can do. So he recommends any of his pizzas or 20 tapas because they’re shareable finger foods. Some of the most sensual are: Duck tacos full of cream sauce; the shrimp, crab and artichoke dip and coconut shrimp on skewers. You may recall the adage about shellfish being an aphrodisiac as you toast each other with champagne or red wine.

Ken Mills, owner of Hillcrest’s Wine Steals, selects pinot noir as the sexiest of wines. On Mondays, there is no corkage fee, so you can buy a bottle of your choice in the on-site shop and enjoy it right away. To enjoy it better, cozy up on one of the soft chairs or couches and nibble a cheese plate and rich chocolate dessert.

Executive Chef Stephen Window of Roppongi cites his ample tapas menu as proof that his is a romantic restaurant. “Tapas are designed to be eaten off the same plate, with partners feeding each other,” he says. Oysters at the sushi bar have a romantic reputation, but his “Chocolate Decadence” dessert takes the prize. It arrives warm at the table and oozes chocolate with every forkful.  By special request, it can include an engagement ring surprise.

House of Blues Executive Chef Michael Catalano says his pan-seared Voodoo Shrimp appetizer can make things happen, especially with an entrée of either the exceptional menu item of grilled filet mignon or the grilled filet of wild Atlantic salmon on a bed of shrimp jambalaya risotto. For dessert, share a piece of the very rich “Sinful Triple-layer Chocolate Cake” which can be a la mode.

For reservations call:

House of Blues 619-299-2583; Richard Walker’s Pancake House 619-231-7777; Roppongi 858-551-5252; Sammy's Woodfired Pizza 619-230-8888; Sushi Fix 619-237-7878  Wine Steals 619-295-1188