ValeResearch shows that certain edibles can trigger chemical reactions in the brain to send a flood of happy hormones through the body, resulting in improved mood and the onset of that mushy feeling. As Cupid pays us a visit this month, we decided to round up the fare that could leave you starry-eyed, and the beautiful dining outlets where you’ll find it at its best. Bon appétit!
OYSTERS AND BUBBLY
Whilst oysters are well known for their amour-inducing qualities, bubbly, or sparkling grape, is an equally potent love food. The slightly salty-sweet scent of the mollusc is a smell reminiscent of a female pheromone. And the shellfish are full of zinc, so are a healthy luxury treat this Valentine’s Day.
Bubbly, a worldwide symbol of celebration, hits the bloodstream more rapidly than ordinary grape and is chock-full of antioxidants.
La Mer, at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, is one of the island’s best known seafood restaurants. This tastefully decorated eatery doubles up as a romantic dining spot, offering the best of local and international seafood. We’re pretty sure they serve up a mean plate of oysters dressed to your liking.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is the place where the fizz of bubbly adds delight to the special day. The iconic property houses some of the best internationally acclaimed restaurants and makes for an apt venue for a Valentine’s Day lunch or dinner.
DARK CHOCOLATE
Chocolate contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants from the same group as those in green tea. In fact, studies show that the antioxidant activity in one serving of cocoa is higher than in tea. The darker the chocolate, the more potent antioxidants it contains. Dark chocolate has many benefits, including for the heart, skin and cognitive function.
Get your chocolate fix over the weekend at the famed Chocoholic Friday brunch staged at the Sheraton Bahrain’s Al Safir restaurant. The venue makes for a comfortable setting in which one can savour delectable chocolate creations to round up a delicious brunch.
If the craving for the sinful goodness strikes you mid-week, Café Delices on the ground floor of the Gulf Executive Residence, Gulf Hotel Bahrain, is the place to make a beeline for exquisite homemade chocolates. Treat your loved one to high tea and other goodies such as fresh macarons and crisp cookies.
ASPARAGUS
This pencil-like vegetable is packed with nutrients needed for healthy hormone production. It is best known as one of the richest sources of vitamin E, which has myriad health benefits, most notably, for glowing skin. Moreover, studies show that the compounds found in asparagus, known as steroid glycosides, have the ability to ensure optimal secretion of your love hormones.
The green (or white, the exotic variety) spears are an indispensable part of French cooking, and can be found in the culinary creations of restaurants offering classic French gastronomy. La Fontaine’s fine dining outlet is an example that outdoes other eateries for its sophisticated ambience and attention to detail, where eating is art, rather than an activity.
To share a spontaneous rendezvous with your significant other, pop in to Café Lilou, a firm favourite amongst islanders for its décor reminiscent of a 19th century Parisian brasserie. Its design, atmosphere and food is a tribute to the days of Moulin Rouge and Bohemian flair.
CHILLI
This one will literally add the spice to your affair. Capsaicin is the component responsible for the heat in the pods, and stimulates nerve endings on the tongue, which releases epinephrine (adrenaline). This in turn releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins leave one with a floating, energised feeling – perfect for a night out with your partner.
Not only can some spice in your food increase your heart rate, it can also raise body temperature and give your cheeks an alluring, rosy blush.
Popular Asian cuisines use chillies in their dishes. Head to Nirvana at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, to treat yourself and your Valentine to an Indian feast fit for a maharaja. With food that is a brilliant display of colours and tantalising flavours, accompanied by the dreamy tunes of the santoor, the fireworks will continue well after the repast.
The very dramatic setting of Keizo, the Asian outlet at Al Areen Palace & Spa, will itself set the heart racing. Couples can be transported to a different world altogether, relishing spicy south-east Asian specialities on the manmade island under the canopy of their personal gazebo. Now that is bound to take you straight to seventh heaven.
POMEGRANATE
The ancient Greeks (who knew a thing or two about passion) touted this ruby-red fruit as a culinary symbol of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. A prominent player in romantic folklore, it is recognised as a symbol of hope and eternal life in many cultures.
For centuries, it has been used for its potent medicinal properties. Studies have demonstrated that pomegranate juice has the power to raise testosterone levels in both men and women.
The gem-like seeds are a quintessential ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking, in both sweet and savoury preparations. Sweet and tart pomegranate molasses or dehydrated seeds add a complex flavour profile to dishes like lamb kebabs, majboos and baba ghanoush. For the real taste of the cuisine, head to Takht Jamsheed for a fine dining experience rich with the flavours of Persia.
If you’d like to drink up pomegranate in a potion, Bushido has an extensive beverage menu to choose from. Opt for the classic Singapore Sling or the signature Inaga to quicken the pace of the evening and get the fervour going.
