Bring the Romance of Paris Home for Date Night

Whether it’s your first or fifteenth visit to Paris, the charms of this city are hard to resist. And while we think it’s always a good time to bring a little Paris romance into your home for date night, it is especially true on Valentine’s Day! Thanks to a few genius shortcuts from Trader Joe’s, you can whip up a Paris-inspired meal genuinely worthy of a special occasion. It’s never been so easy to make a perfect at-home date night that’ll remind you of the City of Lights.

Start With the Classics: Baguettes, Brie, and Aromatic French Onion Soup

French cuisine 101: It’s all about showcasing fine ingredients and letting them shine. Start with a pair of Organic Baguettes, which after 3–4 minutes in the oven offer a crisp exterior and swoon-worthy, steamy-soft interior crumb—the perfect vehicle for a luxurious spread of butter or a sliver of Triple Crème Brie. Made in Ile de France, near Paris, this wedge of Brie delivers all that luxuriously creamy goodness you want from a soft-ripened cheese. Sprinkle a handful of nuts and a few small bunches of grapes onto your platter, and you’re well on your way to setting the scene.

Traditional French Onion Soup takes hours of prep, but you can skip all that and still impress with the flavors of slow-simmered onions, real Swiss cheese, and croutons from this easy-to-bake version. The broth is rich, the melted cheese bubbles, and you’re able to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying date night with the one you love.

A Simply Elegant Roast Chicken Dinner

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. Your romantic dinner at home was supposed to be on the stress-free side. This is where the genius of a pre-marinated and fully Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken comes in. It cooks more evenly and quicker than a full bird, and is the perfect size for dinner for two. In true Paris bistro style, you can serve your bird with a French staple—a side of Fully Cooked Lentils that brighten up with a glug of olive oil, squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle of bright herbs like parsley. A platter of crispy Roasted Potatoes studded with flavorful bites of grilled peppers and onions adds more depth and savory flavor, while a lively green salad with the addition of sliced apple or pear helps brighten your main course. As the final touch to this romantic main course, pair a bottle of oak-aged Révélation Chardonnay complete with an aromatic nose and notes of fresh banana and pear.

Voilà! End the Night With a Sweet Treat

Half the fun of date night in Paris is finishing your meal with decadent dessert from a beloved boulangerie-pâtisserie, and you can pick up those authentic treats at Trader Joe’s. Crafted in France, Trader Joe’s Tarte Aux Fruits comes with a stunning blend of raspberries, blueberries, and red currants atop a buttery pastry crust. Depending on your tastes, you can serve slightly chilled or at room temperature, or heat in the oven. To make sure chocolate fans don’t feel left out, serve the simply delicious Chocolate Filled Crêpes: sweet, creamy chocolate filling rolled into a soft, golden crêpe dough. Alongside a cup of French Roast Coffee and the company of your special someone (who at this stage should be in awe of this stellar date-night spread), it’s almost as if you spent an evening under the dim lights of that Parisian bistro you love so much.