The act of making, sharing and enjoying food with a loved one is considered by many as an expression of love. And, if there’s one thing that makes food more romantic, it’s when it’s inspired by Italy. Food is a huge part of Italian culture and sharing a meal is seen as a time to connect, bond, and express affection.
Bring the dolce vita to your doorstep with some of our simple but thoughtful date ideas.
Make your own pasta together
Want to impress with your skills? Or have a wholesome day cooking together and later enjoy your labour of love? Although there are many tips, tricks and sought-after trade secrets, making pasta from scratch isn’t as hard as you may think.
We’ve put together a tutorial on how to make pasta from scratch, featuring our Head Chef Roberta and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions which get you well on your way to becoming a pastaio for the day. It includes recommendations on what types of flour to use, choosing the right shape of pasta for your dream dish and how to cook it to perfection.
Indulge in authentic cuisine
If you want to focus your attention on setting the mood, sourcing some quality bottles of wine, or putting together an antipasti platter to start, then you can always rely on our takeaway service for the main event.
Depending on your postcode, you could have restaurant-quality pasta delivered to your door in as little as 15 minutes. Alternatively, you could order a recipe box which includes fresh pasta, an authentic sauce and garnish that can be prepared at home in as little as 5 minutes.
Relax and enjoy your night, knowing that you’re going to eat well and enjoy some top-quality Italian produce.
Plan a wine tasting
Not only will the right wine pairing elevate your pasta dish, but it could be a fun and unique date idea to taste-test some different types throughout the night and decide on a favourite. Why not grab a few bottles of wine, and ask your date to do the same? Make it an authentic experience by choosing grapes from different regions.
One of the benefits of having a date night at home is that you can provide the alcohol, removing any expensive restaurant add-ons. There could even be the opportunity to learn a little more about the culture and history of Italy.
Our wine pairing guide talks through which wines work best with each type of pasta dish and base, and caters for both meat and vegetarian specialties. Make a note of your favourite wine of the night and buy it for the next date!
Throw a cocktail-making night
No one does cocktails quite like the Italians, and for good reason. As well as tasting delicious, most Italian cocktails have a rich and romantic history. Give a few of the classics a go, in the comfort of your home.
Supposedly, the Negroni was born in Caffe Casoni in the Tuscan capital Florence, or Firenze. Camillo Negroni, Count and socialite, asked his regular bartender for a stronger-than-usual version of his regular drink, the Americano. The bartender traded gin in place of the classic’s soda water, and the Negroni was born.
Simple but tasty, the gin, sweet vermouth and campari concoction is easy to make and distinct in flavour. The Negroni Sbagliato is slightly lighter on the palette, as it replaces the gin with prosecco, adding a delicious twist on the classic favourite. Follow our Negroni recipe, and you’ll feel like you’re right by by the Ponte Vecchio.
