Dinners for Two

By: Vanessa Greaves & Carl Hanson

Great food begs to be followed by a great movie. Watch as love whips up mischief among residents of a small Oregon town in “Feast of Love;” look for it in theaters September 28th.

If the path to your lover's heart is via the stomach, these sumptuous meals will pave the way to a fine romance.

Plan an intimate affair fashioned around candlelight, music, flowers and sensuous food. Want to heat things up long before dinner reaches the table? Invite your sweetheart into the kitchen to help you with the cooking. Pour a glass of Champagne--a splendid aperitif--and share the pleasure of creating a memorable evening together.

To complete your meal, our Food and Wine Editor Carl Hanson shares his recommendations for the perfect pour.

Surf and Turf Temptation

"Serve a California Chardonnay with the Seafood Stuffed Avocados to complement the creaminess of the avocado and the mayo. A Cabernet Sauvignon is always a solid choice with steak."

Seafood Stuffed Avocados Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze First Class Bleu Cheese Salad Easy Asparagus Ultimate Valentine's Day Chocolate Truffle

Mediterranean Passion

"Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious with Parmesan. It should also go well with the lamb. Try a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley or Walla Walla in Washington State; these cooler-climate Cabernets often have aromas and flavors of mint and herbs, which would pair nicely with the demi-glace. A Washington Merlot would be nice, too, for the same reasons."

Parmesan Puffs Lamb for Lovers Warm Shrimp Salad Roasted Potatoes with Greens Strawberries Flambeed in Vodka with Hot Ice Cream

Love Birds

"You could go with a Sauvignon Blanc or a white Bordeaux. Either one would be nice and versatile with these dishes. I'd be tempted to stick with a red here, like a Barbera from Italy's Piedmont region. It should work with the tomatoes in the mussels appetizer and shouldn't overpower the Cornish hens. A light Chianti Classico might be just as nice."

Appetizer Mussels Holiday Meal For Two Simple Feta Cheese Salad Wilted Spinach Strawberry Tiramisu for Two

Lust for Lobster

"A white Burgundy or a Chardonnay should pair nicely all the way down the line here, working well with the creamy avocado, the slightly sweet grilled rock lobster and earthy flavors of the portobello mushrooms. Cooler-weather Chardonnays might also have apple aromas and flavors that would be nice with the apples and walnuts in the Waldorf Salad."

Asian Avocado Grilled Rock Lobster Tails Simple Waldorf Salad Easy Portobello Mushroom Sauté Strawberries Romanov

Garden of Eden

"I might stick with a red wine here. Milan is not too far from the vineyards of Piedmont, so I might be tempted to go semi-local and drink a Barbera. It should be nice with the mushrooms and the salad, and work well with the gorgonzola, too. Otherwise, try a Beaujolais from France. It would go nicely with the strawberries in the salad and will be light and acidic enough to deal with the gorgonzola. Beaujolais could be your best bet."

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Pasta Milan Strawberry Avocado Salad Red, Juicy, Herb-Fried Tomatoes Bananas Foster I