There’s no need to spike your chicken soup with a tab of ecstasy; sexy gateway foods are plentiful. Some are simply more inviting than others. The following five-course meal could theoretically keep you up all night.



Open a bottle of champagne and have a glass. Slice a large tomato and dress it with olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and a generous shaving of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Pour another glass for each of you. Steam an artichoke and share. The main course can be either raw oysters or chilled stone crabs served with asparagus steamed with salt, pepper and garlic. Finish with dark chocolate (ice cream, cake or bar), ripe strawberries and the last glass of champagne. The dishes can wait. The jar of honey is optional.



If that sounds like too much work, hit the restaurants.  Unfortunately, most are booked for Feb 14.  Here are a few that might still have seats:

• Affairs Café & Bakery: Valentine’s Day Dessert Buffet featuring chocolate mousse, coconut cream snowballs, fondue, tiramisu cake, English trifle, Linzer hearts and more, $20, 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.8604.

• Mandolin Café: Serata d’Amore Valentine’s Day four-course dinner with live mandolin music by Elvira, 6-10 p.m., $37.50, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.759.1004.

• Pour At Four: Special Valentine’s Day dishes plus bubbles and wines, 5-10 p.m., 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.

• Salty’s at Redondo: Alaskan Red King Crab for Two, $49.95, throughout February, 28201 Redondo Beach Drive S., Des Moines, 253.272.0607.

• Varsity Grill: A dinner buffet and jazz by Michael Powers in the new upstairs performance venue, $95 per couple, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229.