special dinner, perfect night

Savvy Miss entertaining expert Luce helps members prepare for a special dinner.

Dear Luce,

My boyfriend just got an amazing promotion at work. He's been working so hard for this new position that we've hardly seen each other lately. To celebrate, I'm cooking him a homemade special dinner at my place this weekend. I want to plan a perfect night that will help re-spark the romance. Have any suggestions?

—Proud of My Man

Congratulations to your boyfriend on his amazing promotion! Now to answer your question; what would your boyfriend's 'perfect night' be? I'm going to ask for a little investigation on your part. During a relaxed moment (this is important, you don't want to ask him when he is in a harried or hassled mood… you want him to enjoy the question) tell him that you were reading a cool new online magazine where people were describing their 'perfect night' and you were curious how he would describe his.

Enjoy his answer, breathe, knowing there is no need to feel you could ever live up to his every fantasy! Ask him questions like, what would a special dinner be? Have fun with this, ask him other questions that you'd like to know the answers to. Decide which wishes you can make come true, and begin to plan the evening.

As a guide, I’ve posted a wonderful no brainer, 'special dinner' below. Feel free to alter it to meet your man’s wishes.

Special Dinner Menu

Garlic bread. Use a crusty white bread (such as ciabatta). Have the garlic bread already done by the time he comes over so that the intoxicating smell of butter and garlic is filling your home and beginning to spark his appetite for the evening to come.