Valentine's Day Dinner: A Five-Course Italian Menu

Valentine's Day is about the love of great food, and this menu follows it through five Italian courses: aperitivo, antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce. Plan ahead and the evening comes together for two — or for one, which is a fine way to celebrate too. Every course is built to make the night feel special.

Aperitivo

As the Italian saying goes, l'appetito vien mangiando — eating awakens the appetite. Open the palate with Ferrari Brut Trentodoc, a 100% Chardonnay bollicine from Trentino with a lively straw yellow color and a fresh, fruity nose. Add stuzzichini: prosciutto crudo, Parmigiano Reggiano® DOP, olives and honey on a board.

Read about Ferrari

Antipasto

Mark the start of the feast with sustainable caviar from Calvisius in Lombardia. The buttery pearls taste salty yet delicate, which makes them a natural antipasto. Serve them atop unsalted crackers, buttered toast or small blini with crème fraîche.

Read about Calvisius

Primo Piatto

Truffles are called the "diamond of the kitchen" — what could be more romantic? They shine with rich, silky egg pasta. Shave fresh tartufo nero pregiato (black winter truffle) into a simple butter sauce and toss it with tagliatelle.

Get the recipe for Truffle Tagliatelle

Secondo Piatto

Bistecca alla fiorentina with Chianti Classico DOCG brings the evening to the heart of Firenze, one of Italy's most romantic cities. The recipe needs just five ingredients, so the quality of the meat matters most. A dry-aged cut is more tender and flavorful, since aging concentrates the flavor.

Get the recipe for Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Dolce

End on something sweet with Lettere d'Amore, the aptly named "love letters." Flaky filo dough, creamy ricotta and sweet-tart Amarena cherries from Fabbri make an irresistible dolce — the cherry on top of the evening.

Find the ingredients for the whole menu at your local Eataly or online. Buonappetito.