This Valentine’s Day, skip the reservations and dine at the best restaurant in town: your home. Novice cook or total kitchen pro, preparing a special meal for your date is the ultimate romantic statement. To help you pull it off, we’ve created three decadent menus for every skill level in the kitchen. Choose your adventure, then visit your Whole Foods Market store or shop online* to stock up on sustainable wild-caught seafood, ready-to-enjoy desserts and more.
*Exclusively for Prime members in select ZIP codes.
The Perfect Centerpiece: Roses with Purpose
No matter your menu, roses are a must-have. Pick up a Double Dozen Bunch of Roses from the Floral department or shop online with pickup or delivery.* Look for the Sourced for Good seal on select roses, which means a portion of every sale helps support workers, communities and the environment where these flowers are sourced.
Not into roses? Check out our other eye-catching bouquets opens in a new tab.
Menu #1: I’m new to this — help!
You want to serve a special meal for your date, but there’s one problem: You're not much of a cook. Don't stress! Instead, make it fun. Turn on your favorite tunes, pour a glass of wine** and cook your way through our easy shrimp pasta recipe.
Entrée: Easy Shrimp Linguine
Pick up Responsibly Farmed or sustainable wild-caught shrimp from our Seafood department (look for peeled and deveined options to save time) for a quick and easy pasta dinner that's sure to impress. The lemony, garlicky sauce comes together in a breeze with the help of a food processor. Serve with a crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.**
Dessert: Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
For a perfect sweet ending, serve these ripe, juicy strawberries with a creamy, dark chocolaty coating. Find them in our Bakery department for a limited-time only. If strawberries aren't for you (or your date), try a Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar, a mouthwatering combination of dark semi-sweet Belgian chocolate, crunchy almonds and sea salt crystals.
Menu #2: I’m a chef-in-progress.
You love to cook — but you’re not exactly ready for your own cooking show. The solution: Give your valentine some culinary TLC with an easy yet elevated dinner spread.
Appetizer: Cheese Board
Serve two cheeses that complement each other, like Vermont Creamery Bijou Aged Goat Cheese and aged Manchego cheese from our Cheese department. Don’t forget the accoutrements — we love fig spread (such as Dalmatia Organic Fig Spread) and sturdy crackers (try La Panzanella Mini Artisan Crackers).
Entrée: Chilean Sea Bass with Caramelized Lemon Sauce
Meaty sea bass is special-occasion worthy, especially when it’s Sustainable Wild-Caught Chilean Sea Bass from our Seafood department. Sear the fish until browned on top and serve with sautéed spinach on the side and pair with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.**
Get the recipe: Chilean Sea Bass with Caramelized Lemon Sauce
Dessert: Chocolate Heart Cake
Up the romance with our sinfully good Chocolate Heart Cake, which contains layers of raspberry and chocolate mousse and a dark chocolate glaze. Find it in our Bakery department for a limited time only. Enjoy with a glass of Love You Bunches Rosé wine, which is bursting with bright and fruity notes.**
Menu #3: I’m basically Julia Child.
You’re a serious cook. You know the difference between French and Italian meringue — and you can break down a whole chicken like it’s your job. Go all-out with caviar (yes, caviar!) to start, a surf and turf extravaganza and decadent chocolate mousse tart to cap off a memorable meal.
Appetizer: Parsley Toasts with Caviar
For a showstopping start, make elegant Parsley Toasts with Caviar. Don’t forget a toast — fill your flutes with light-bodied and crisp sparkling wine, a perfect pairing for that caviar.**
Entrée: Herb-Roasted Lobster and Steak
Elevate surf and turf with better ingredients (because your date is worth it). Pick up our Sustainable Wild-Caught Lobster Tails and Animal Welfare Certified New York Strip Steaks to make Herb-Roasted Lobster and Steak. Pair with a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon.** On the side, serve with simple roasted asparagus.
Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Tart
A romantic meal needs a swoon-worthy dessert — like this decadent chocolate tart, which also happens to be vegan. Top with fresh fruit like raspberries, blackberries, figs, strawberries and blueberries or a flaky sea salt like Maldon.
*Exclusively for Prime members in select ZIP codes.
**Must be 21+. Please drink responsibly.
