Ryan says...
First, buy my book, Entertaining with Booze. Then, turn to page 73 and voila!, a menu for The Perfect Romantic Dinner. Start off with a simple butternut squash soup (homemade or store-bought) and garnish the centre with some cooked lobster meat tossed in a little cognac—it’s a wonderfully sophisticated starter that couldn’t be easier. For the main course, do a medium-rare beef tenderloin for two (a.k.a. chateaubriand) served with Béarnaise sauce and a side of green beans steamed in white wine and tossed with slivered almonds and orange zest. For dessert, try a small cream puff tower drizzled with bourbon caramel. Serve with the best champagne you can afford and prepare for an onslaught of amorous advances.

Ryan Jennings' latest book is called Entertaining with Booze (Whitecap Books). For recipes, cocktails and tips, visit cookingwithbooze.com. Send Ryan your foodie questions here.