3 Romantic Dinner Menus from Provence to Try

While there is no reason to wait until February 14th to show your affection, not acknowledging Valentine’s Day might not be a good love strategy. In France, la fête de Saint Valentin has historical and religious roots. In the middle ages, the belief was that birds started mating in the middle of February. The card or love note originated when the captured Duke of Orleans wrote to his beloved wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415.

Since food is often the way to win someone’s heart, we wanted to share three (3) romantic dinner menus from Provence. And, if you were wondering about aphrodisiac foods, follow this link.

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Classic Menu

Chef Eric Fraudeau created this special menu to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The chef and his wife, Yetunde, are the power couple behind Let’s Eat the World and Cook’n with Class, with cooking school locations in Paris and culinary travel weeks in Uzes, Seville and beyond. In addition, the team has developed various cooking classes, hands-on workshops, wine-tasting, and culinary holiday programs. Learn how to make French bread, cook fish to perfection or put on an apron for a week-long culinary adventure in the South of France.

Salmon and Sole Tress in Orange Butter Sauce

Delicate salmon and sole braids gently poached in white wine and covered with a light and fresh orange butter cream sauce.

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Beef Wellington

Beef tenderloin seared, then smothered with mushrooms and foie gras and finally wrapped in a little parcel of puffed pastry and baked to perfection.

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Chocolate Banana Charlotte

Creamy chocolate mousse and ladyfingers with flambe bananas dripping in chocolate sauce.

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Modern Love Menu

Imagine spending Valentine’s Day in Provence, snuggled up by the fire, listening to the mistral and sharing a few glasses of Provence Rosés. Well, this menu aims to get you as close as possible to a romantic French Riviera break and a good bottle of Rosé, preferably Maison Mirabeau, would be a suitably dreamy choice to get your evening à deux off to a very smooth start. Inspired by the flavours of Provence, Jeany Cronk of Mirabeau Wine curated a 3-course Valentine’s Day Menu to celebrate the romantic evening. So this February 14th, celebrate life and happiness with your sweetheart, family or best friends and enjoy Jeany’s festive menu!

Beetroot Carpaccio with Smoked Salmon and Pomegranate

An easy, colourful first course (or lunch dish) that is full of antioxidants.

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Mushroom and Provençal Herb stuffed Chicken Breast with Polenta and Potato purée

Impressive and not complicated the best kind of main course.

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Coconut Eton Mess with Raspberries and Chocolate shavings

This dessert is easy, a bit "messy" and completely delicious. Serve on a nice plate when the moment's right and decorate with a pretty biscuit if you have one.

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Pretty in Pink Menu

There are many considerations for food on Valentine’s Day – nothing too spicy, smelly or heavy, but something luscious and out of the ordinary so your beloved feels special. The following menu allows for options, but there is a clear leaning toward pink food.

Start with a Festive cocktail

Stained Glass Pear Slices

These pear slices are festive and can be colourized to represent any holiday using natural food dyes such as beet juice or powder, dragon fruit powders, kale powder, matcha tea or traditional pastry dyes. (Note: the number of slices will depend on the size and quantity of your pears)

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Valentine’s Gin Spritz Cocktail

The perfect Valentine’s Day cocktail, featuring our Dry Gin and sparkling rosé La Folie.

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Pink Elephant Martini Cocktail

This cocktail is festive, fun and easy to mix. Enjoy!

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Pure Rosé Cocktail Recipe with rose ice cubes

The most time-consuming part of this drink recipe is making the ice cubes in advance. Find some beautiful miniature roses and freeze them in ice cube trays with water. The cocktail is delicious (of course), but the frozen rose ice cubes make the presentation.

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Delicious Main Event

Rosé and Crispy Salmon for Valentine's Day a Perfect Food and Wine Pairing

Serve salmon fillets with pea and mint salad and roasted baby potatoes, and optional lemon slices, alongside Mirabeau Rosé for a romantic dinner for two. #BonAppetite! Wishing you all a special Valentine’s Day filled with rosé coloured glasses!

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Poached Arctic Char with Pear-Vanilla Beurre Blanc

This meal is quick to prepare in 30 minutes or less. I used Arctic Char but salmon or trout work equally well, although the cooking time will vary a little. Enjoy with a crisp white wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We did!

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Pan-Fried Salmon with Pine Nut Salsa

This light but delicious recipe is minimally adapted from the original recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi. It's a wonderful meal that suits any season but would beautifully accompany a glass of white wine on a fantastic summer evening.

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Roasted King Salmon with I’itoi Onion Compote

Allow enough time for the onions to cook slowly, as the caramelizing process will make all the difference in the flavour of the compote. Serve with the roasted salmon for a lovely combination. If you have too much onion compote, it won't go to waste, serve with grilled meat or on a sandwich.

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Pretty Pink Desserts

Tarte aux Prâlines Roses

An elegant but simple dessert for your New Year’s Eve fête or a romantic Valentine’s dinner!

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Pink Lady Apple and Cherry Clafoutis

Clafoutis is one of the easiest desserts to make with whatever fruit you have on hand. In this culinary collaboration with Pink Lady® apples, we added cherries for a twist on the classic dessert.

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Valentine's heart-shaped cookies

We’ve got a super easy and oh-so-pretty cookie recipe: heart-shaped citrus cookies with blood orange icing. In season and naturally pink! It’s the perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your partner or your gals.

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Raspberry Gin Panna Cotta

The methodology for making panna cotta is not difficult but requires time as the layers need to set.

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Enjoy the romance!

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).