By Teri Bayus
Are food aphrodisiacs real? Do they really have the power to induce amorous moods and lift the libido? Cultures around the world support to the idea, but I think you do not have to be a believer to have fun with romantic foods.
On the day of love nothing is more important than the food you share with the one who shares your heart. Do something distinctive and romantic with a meal worthy of Aphrodite This Valentine’s Day.
Start with a sweet treat that is more than a heart shaped box of chocolates. Make your paramour a special basket; throw in some sweet treats from Apple Farm, Sweet Pea Bakery and Brown Butter Cookie Company. Add love notes written on blank cards for them to treasure all year.
A Charcutierie Board is a romantic and wonderful meal to share. Make it at home with hand picked meats, cheeses and accouterments. A good board has three kinds of meats, four kinds of cheeses (a soft, a goat, a hard and a blue) and cracker bread, olives, dried fruits, honey, quince, raspberries and nuts. If you want it prepared by a chef – the best ones are at Meze Wine Bar, Granada Bistro, Root 246 or Comfort Market.
Recreate some romantic movie eating scenes like the spaghetti plate from Lady and The Tramp. If you do take your courtesan to dinner, try feeding each other. Order appetizers that are finger foods and adoringly place it on their lips. This will be silly and passionate, and a bit delicious.
Why not genuinely impress them by taking them on a “Cupcake Crawl?” Take a couple of hours and drive from bakery to bakery getting one cupcake at each one. In the car, only play mushy love songs and talk about how your fell in love. Much sweeter than a pub-crawl. If your honey is more savory than sweet, take them to Avila Beach- the Hanford Pier. Park in the lot and stroll hand and hand down the pier. Stop at BJ’s Fish Market and share two raw oysters (Did you know that Casanova ate 50 raw oysters every day?). Enjoy them as you watch the pelicans swoop and the sailboats 
sway. Walk to the end of the pier and wander into Old Port Fish Market, they have Candied Salmonthat is out of this world.
Break out the fondue pot (or go to any thrift store and buy one) and warm up delectable dark chocolate to dip into a variety of items including marshmallows, angle food cake, orange slices, pretzels and bacon. Dip, share and be sure to kiss the chocolate remnants off their lips.
Truffles awaken lustful and erotic memories. Buy a jar of truffles, slice them thin and serve on a simple cheese flatbread. The indulgence in a truffle, whether black or white, is among the most alluring culinary experiences in the world. Show your loved one that they are worthy of a truffle.
Either way, love and food are about exploration. Do something this year for your Valentine to surprise and delight them. You will be paid back handsomely.
