Six Tips to Spice Up Valentine's Dinner For Your Woman

Valentine's Day is approaching fast, and many of us dudes would rather reserve a table at Chez Pierre than cook a meal. However, if you really want to impress your lady this Valentine's, stay inside and cook for her.

Valentine's Day is all about love. Scratch that. For men, Valentine's Day is all about doing the things you don't want to do to get the thing that you want the most.

That's a very piggish attitude, I know. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you reverse your thinking, and make her the priority, you will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible. If at all, you'll have the bragging rights of telling your buddies that you cooked a romantic dinner for your woman.

1. Simplicity is the key. Keep your meal simple, especially if you are a newbie to the kitchen. There is no need to go crazy with a five course meal. Keep it to 2 courses: food, salad, and dessert.

2. Salad. OK, I would make sure that your date likes to eat salad first, but you can never go wrong with a salad. Just make sure that you eat yours as well. This accomplishes two things, you show that you are just as concerned with your health as hers. And it offers her an easy, light accompaniment if she doesn't want to eat a lof of the main course. Or if she's on a diet, most likely salad is OK.

3. Candlelight. You can never go wrong with candlelight. Dude, it sounds cliche, but there's always a reason for the cliche. Women are constantly going on about candlelit dinners. So here's your chance to give her what she wants. Also, there's a cool thing about candlelight. It just makes everything look better. You, her, the food. All better. Do yourself a favor and dim the lights in your dining area, and light 2 tall candlesticks. It's all you will need.

4. Dessert. Serving something sweet to your date is a fine line to tread. But if you do a little foreplanning and take it easy, you should win out in the end. This dessert must be something small and simple (see number 1). If you serve a big honking 5 layer slice of chocolate cake to your date, she'll hate you.

My suggestion is to go with something light such as cream puffs, pie, or sorbet. And don't worry of your dessert is from the store. Just as long as you present it well.

5. Use cloth. If you have the means, use cloth napkins. It's just that extra touch that will help win her over.

6. Be a gentlemen. I am a believer in gentlemanly manners and chivalry. I do not think that this type of etiquette is dead, and I think that it is appreciated by most women out there. Pull out her chair for her. Make sure she is seated before your butt hits the chair. Pour her wine or water for her and serve her the plates of food. By no means should you make her put her own food on her plate.