There are a lot of bad heart-shaped boxes of chocolates out there. Lift your game, cook this.

When you really want to dial up the romance, this is the menu for you. You can eat out any time, here’s our pick on what to cook your beloved no matter the occasion.

Drinks writer Mike Bennie says, “Snack on the grissini and bean puree with a richly flavoured white wine, and shift into seafood linguine with a mature white wine. Finish your hot chocolate with a powerful digestif alongside.”

The Starter

An easy whizz-together starter, so you can get on with the business of staring lovingly into each others’ eyes.

Drink match: Richly flavoured white wine (Yalumba Virgilius Viognier)

The Main

A restaurant-style impressive dish that’s as sophisticated as it is delicious.

Drink match: Mature white wine (try age release Tahbilk Marsanne)

The Dessert

The dessert for the couple would rather spend dessert curled up on the sofa than playing footsies at the stuffy table.

Drink match: Australian single malt (try Hellyers Road 10 Year Old Original Single Malt Whisky)