Going to a restaurant on Valentine's Day can be pretty painful. A crowded dining room and a marked-up limited menu just don't sound like the makings of a romantic meal. Luckily, there's a better way to make your Valentine's Day dinner really special – think flickering candles, soft music, your favourite wine, and a scrumptious meal with no mess (and no pressure on your cooking skills).

The only challenge left is choosing the perfect dishes to order for the occasion. We've come up with a couple of ideas that will tempt the taste buds and get you in the mood for love...

Tasty Thai for a Passionate Night

Bold, fragrant, luscious, spicy... Thai cuisine expertly balances playfulness with decadence. The rich flavours in a Thai Red Curry reflect a perfect Valentine's night – creamy coconut milk comforts, aromatic spices intrigue, and fiery red chillies ignite passion...

Chinese-Style Squid to Set the Mood

Seafood is known as something of an aphrodisiac, so it should definitely make its way into the meal. One great option is succulent squid enveloped in irresistible Chinese flavours. Maybe in a black pepper sauce, where the heat from the pepper is intertwined with bold soy sauce and finished with a touch of sweetness. Perhaps your date would prefer something a bit lighter, like hot fresh squid in healing ginger with crisp spring onions. Or you could go for a classic – squid in the familiar embrace of salt and pepper.

Start Sharing with Some Sushi Indulgence

A slightly more playful Valentine's option is sushi. Order a wide variety, incorporating different flavours and textures. Use chopsticks (or your fingers) to take turns tasting each piece. You won't even have to worry about the food getting cold if you and your valentine find yourselves distracted before meal's end...

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