Valentine’s Day is less than one week away, and if you are procrastinating on where to go Tuesday, don’t worry. I’ve scoured restaurant menus for the best aphrodisiac ingredients creating the tastiest dishes, all housed in some of Westchester most romantic eateries. From oysters to cherries, chili peppers to olive oil, here’s a round up of where you can get your aphrodisiac on at the best places to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Westchester:
OYSTERS
Great for: Oysters are high in zinc—great for fertility—and contain amino acids that jumpstart the production of sex hormones.
Set the tone at: Saltaire Oyster Bar & Fish House
Saltaire has a variety of fresh oyster options (check their menu which changes daily) available at the bar, where they’ll shuck oysters right in front of you. IntoxiKate recommends the Hook Tower—half a lobster, four shrimp, three clams, three oysters, six mussels and three crab claws. The smallest of the raw towers is perfect for an intimate party of two ($50).
Go: 55 Abendroth Ave., Port Chester, 914-939-2425, saltaireoysterbar.com
CHILI PEPPERS
Great for: Indulging in this spicy pepper mimics the physical reactions your body feels when it’s aroused—chili peppers stimulate endorphins, speed up the heart rate, and make you sweat (but let’s keep that to a minimum).
Set the tone at: Sambal: Thai + Malaysian
Dine on Sambal’s Drunkman Noodles: spicy rice noodles with chili peppers, garlic, baby corn, carrots, greens, chicken and basil leaves. One of the options on their three-course Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, the offer also includes a glass of sparkling wine for $49.95 per person.*
Go: 4 West Main Street, Irvington, 914-478-2200, www.sambalny.com
AVOCADO
Great for: The avocado contains high levels of Vitamin E, which helps you feel youthful and energized.
Set the tone at: Le Provencal Bistro
I mean, you can’t really go wrong with a French eatery that just oozes romance. Check out the trendy avocado toast from the appetizer menu with toasted pistachios, pistachio oil, and sea salt on grilled bread ($13).
Go: 436 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-777-2324, www.provencalbistro.com
CHOCOLATE
Great for: Chocolate = Dopamine = Feelings of pleasure
Set the tone at: RiverMarket Bar + Kitchen
If the feeling of eating local isn’t enough to turn you on (is it just me?) check out RiverMarket’s decadent dessert—Battenkill Valley buttermilk chocolate cake, mocha mousse, and vanilla crème a l’anglaise, our mascarpone sorbet ($12). #yesplease
Go: 127 W Main St., Tarrytown, 914-631-3100, www.rivermarketbarandkitchen.com
HONEY
Great for: Honey, ah, sugar sugar… You are my candy girl… Oops, sorry about getting carried away there. Honey contains boron, which helps regulate both estrogen and testosterone levels, and gives you a bit of a buzz from a natural energy boost.
Set the tone at: L’inizio
Husband and wife team Scott and Heather Fratangelo tackle sweet and savory at this Ardsley eatery (and look good doing it!). They’re offering a few aphrodisacs on their appetizer menu, including the smoked Maple Brook Farm ricotta with Acacia honey ($7)
and roasted butternut squash with crispy pancetta, frisee, spiced pecans, pomegranate, pancetta and vinaigrette ($14). Pomegranates are chock full of antioxidants and encourage blood flow.
Go: 698 Saw Mill River Rd., Ardsley, 914-693-5400, www.liniziony.com
ARTICHOKES
Great for: Artichokes are also full of antioxidants and get the blood pumping.
Set the tone at: The Inn at Pound Ridge
The Inn is offering a Valentine’s Day menu with items like spicy tuna tartare and roasted beef tenderloin. But you will also be allowed to order the parmesan crusted organic chicken off the regular menu ($27). It’s a good thing, because this dishes is packed with artichokes and a lemon-basil sauce.
Go: 258 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge, 914-764-1400, www.theinnatpoundridge.com
PINE NUTS
Great for: Pine nuts are high in zinc, which is linked to promoting a healthy sex drive. Grind it up with basil and olive oil—also an aphrodisiac—and you’ve got a pesto perfect for performance.
Set the tone at: Serafina
The Pappardelle Di Portofino is tossed with homemade pesto sauce, string beans, extra pine nuts and potatoes ($15.50).
Go: 199 Main St, White Plains, 914-288-9300, www.whiteplains.serafinarestaurant.com
ARUGULA
Great for: Antioxidant-rich arugula has its benefits, but the nutrients and minerals in this leafy green have also been proved to block environmental stressors that could negatively impact libido. #eatyourgreens
Set the tone at: Vintage 1891 Kitchen
Vintage 1891 offers a romantic atmosphere while pulling double duty in the aphrodisiac category on the menu. The arugula salad with apple, blue cheese, toasted almonds, and sherry vinaigrette is a win-win, but pair it with the pan seared scallops with cauliflower purée, Brussels sprouts, and fig glaze ($30) and you’ll knock it out of the park! Figs are full of potassium, which helps elevate energy levels. Oh, and hey there avocado. We see you in their stellar tuna tartare dish too!
Go: 2098 Boston Post Rd., Larchmont, 914-834-9463, www.vintage1891kitchen.com
CHERRIES
Great for: Cherries are packed with a ton of superfruit vitamins, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium and magnesium.
Set the tone at: Nonno’s Trattoria at Empire City Casino
Nonno’s is also offering a Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu, the three-course menu priced for two ($75*) includes two options for dessert—cherry mascarpone or chocolate cake with drunken cherries.
Go: 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, 914-457-2457, www.empirecitycasino.com
OLIVE OIL
Great for: The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in olive oil help maintain a healthy heart, blood flow, and also boost hormone production.
Set the tone at: Village Social
The 70 Burrata includes chestnut butter and plenty of olive oil which can be soaked up with grilled country bread ($12).
Go: 251 E. Main St., Mount Kisco, 914-864-1255, villagesocialkb.com
*Does NOT include tax and gratuity.
