7 Romantic-ish Movie Dinners to Recreate on Valentine's Day

Many will tell you to avoid the restaurant crowds on Valentine's Day—and if you take their advice, you'll need something to cook at home. Go the aphrodisiac-y route of steak, oysters, and molten chocolate cake, or take suggestions from some of the romantic dinners of lore (that is, the movies). Here are some of the Food52 team's favorite lovey (mostly) dinner scenes, and how to recreate them at home:

The Parent Trap

Hallie and Annie lead their parents onto a boat for a romantic, if unexpected, dinner for two. Romance abounds: Their hired hands, Martin and Chessy, are so smitten with each other that they can barely figure out who will pour the wine and who will ladle the vichysoisse.

When Harry Met Sally

Go Katz'-style and serve pastrami on rye—or go on a museum date and come home to paprikash (not too peppery) and pecan pie. We hope that the meal you choose isn't representative of the quality of your Valentine's Day.

Lady and the Tramp

Two spaghettis especiales—and "heavy on the meats-a-ball." Italian-ish accordion music optional. Plate-sharing also optional.

50 First Dates

We needn't further sing the praises of breakfast for dinner—or waffles at any time of day. Build a waffle tower with your beloved. Revel in 2004 fashion choices together. Could anything be sexier? No.

Sex and the City

We would not recommend the "plating" style that Samantha employs in this scene, but we would recommend sushi.

Bridget Jones' Diary

Nothing says romance more that blue soup. Not even "congealed green gunge." (Okay, maybe "omelettes" does. Don't forget the wine.)

Annie Hall

Is this a romantic dinner? Maybe not. But it's certainly a wonderful, strange kind of romance—and perhaps might inspire you to make lobsters, in some form, with your lover.

Goodfellas

Braving the holiday restaurant scene instead of staying in? If you're lucky, take the back entrance. But even if you're not able to materialize a table in the best part of the house, you should be able to choose a good bottle of wine.

What's your all-time favorite romantic movie scene? What did they eat? Tell us in the comments.