Monday, January 23, 2017

Five Aphrodisiac Foods to Know for Valentine’s Day


From our friends at Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar...

According to the National Restaurant Association, around a quarter of Americans will dine out for Valentine’s Day, making it the second most popular day to dine out on throughout the year (beat out only by Mother’s Day). As people are deciding where to dine, they may want to keep some of the most popular aphrodisiac foods in mind, just to help make it an extra special evening.

“What everyone wants is a special evening that offers a romantic atmosphere and special food to go along with it,” explains Ryan Fichter, general manager of Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar. “We’ve put together our special Valentine’s Day menu keeping this in mind, and we are sure that it’s going to be a hit.”


While many foods are believed to have special properties, there are some that have a reputation of being aphrodisiacs, which is a food or drink that will help to stimulate one’s sexual desires. Here are five of the top aphrodisiac foods to keep in mind for this Valentine’s Day:

1. Oysters. Perhaps having the most popular reputation for being an aphrodisiac, oysters contain zinc, which helps to produce testosterone oysters contain zinc, which helps to produce testosterone. They also have amino acids, which are believed to prompt sex hormone production.

2. Chili peppers. Eating them creates a heated sensation in the body, which stirs up the passion. The warmth and moisture it creates helps put you on the fast track.

3. Chocolate. Dating back to the ancient Aztecs, chocolate has been considered to be a powerful option when it comes to aphrodisiacs. Whether dining out or at home, it’s a good idea to give that special someone a little chocolate.

4. Red wine. Known to increase blood flow and help relax people, it’s sure to help couples get into a romantic mood. Plus, a light red wine pairs well with rich fish.

5. Scallops. For many years, people have believed that scallops provide a sexual hormone level boost in both men and women. The reputation for this came from Greece, when legend has it that Aphrodite, goddess of love, was carried to Earth on a scallop shell.

“Our special Valentine’s Day menu is one that contains many of the most popular aphrodisiac foods,” says Chef Rosenthal. “From oysters and scallops to red wine and topping it off with a chocolate dessert, we are helping to ensure that those who dine with us are going to have a great evening.”

Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar will be featuring a special Valentine’s Day dinner. The dinner is $65 per person and includes a four-course meal that starts with an appetizer and finishes with a delectable dessert. The menu for the evening includes:

Valentine’s Day Menu

First Course Choice of:

• Clam Chowder

• She Crab Soup /Atlantic Blue Crab

• Beet Salad/Trio of Beets/Beet Puree/Mix Greens/Cherry Tomatoes/Ricotta/Lemon Vinaigrette

• Arugula & Quinoa/Red Bell Peppers/Goat Cheese/Honey Vinaigrette

Second Course Choice of:

• Grilled Octopus/Tomato Escabage/ Charred Frisee/Grilled Lemon

• Kingfish Crudo/Citrus/Jalapeno/Hazelnuts/Avocado

• Stuffed Endives/Goat Cheese/Candied Pecans/Orange Segments/Micro Cilantro

• Seared Scallops/Blood Orange Vodka Sauce/Toasted Pine Nuts

• Steak Tartare/Capers/Brandy/Tabasco/Grilled Baguette

Third Course Choice of:

• Rack of Lamb/Fire Roasted Eggplant Puree/Red Quinoa/Lamb Jus

• Surf N Turf/Petite Filet Mignon/Grilled Shrimp/Truffle Aioli/Grilled Asparagus

• Arctic Char/Celery Root Puree/Frisee Orange Relish/Toasted Hazelnuts

• Beef Short Rib Risotto/Slow Braised Short Ribs/Green Peas/Wild Mushroom Mix

• Halibut/Grilled Asparagus/Oven Roasted Tomatoes/Herb Butter

• De-shelled 1#Lobster/Tarragon Butter Poached Lobster/Mashed Potatoes/Spinach/Chili Oil/Charred Lemon

Fourth Course Choice of:

• Drunken Berries/Homemade Pound Cake/Mixed Berries/Champagne/Whip Cream/Vanilla Wafers

• Pouched Pear/Port Poached Pear/Chocolate Sauce/Cinnamon Ice-Cream

• Chocolate Terrine/Ganache/Strawberries/Cocoa Powder

• Green Tea Panna Cotta/Honeycomb/Lavender

Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar has been a popular destination for over 30 years, and is located in the historic Georgetown area. The restaurant offers a high quality menu, featuring locally caught seafood, as well as a romantic ambiance inside a historic building that overlooks the C&O Canal. Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar offers up 5 ways to help make someone feel special this Valentine’s Day, which include:

• Writing them a note, explaining how you feel about them, and inviting them out to a special dinner out that you have reserved ahead of time.

• Creating a homemade coupon book, where you create unique coupons that entitle the person to special things. This can range from a foot massage to running errands to doing something you know they would appreciate. Consider making one of the coupons a night out with cell phones left at home, so there are no distractions.

• Buying and wrapping up a special candle, as a gift which will help to set a romantic atmosphere. That candle can be put to use after having your meal out that contains some aphrodisiac foods.

• Making a special dessert ahead of time that will be waiting for when you get back home after dining out. Opt for something like chocolate covered strawberries or a cheese and wine spread.

• Having a special picture collage made that has some of your favorite moments together. Framed, that picture can go in their office or home, and always be a reminder of many special times.

They recently announced their new chef, Steven Rosenthal, who comes to the kitchen with a wealth of experience and culinary integrity. Having been educated at Le Cordon Bleu, he has traveled through Italy, France, and England, where he enhanced his culinary skills. He has also worked at fine restaurants in Boston, Las Vegas, and Washington DC, with his most recent experience being at Old Ebbitt Grill. Known for his commitment to cooking from scratch, Chef Rosenthal’s signature dishes include dorade, conch fritters, and seafood cioppino (a dish that includes shrimp, salmon, sea bass, swordfish, clams, mussels, potatoes, fennel, tomato, cream, fish brodo). The restaurant also features a new menu that is a mix of traditional favorites and culinary specialties of the new chef.

The new menu also includes a full cocktail menu, as well as a happy hour menu, offering discounted specials Monday-Friday from 4 PM - 7 PM, including $1 oysters. The restaurant has been a hot spot for those in business and politics for years, with politicians frequently dining there. They offer seasonal menus, locally sourced seafood, an extensive raw bar menu, seasonal outdoor dining, and an indoor historic stone fireplace for cold evenings. The continued effort toward excellence helps people “Get hooked on Sea Catch!”

Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar, located at 1054 31st Street, NW in Washington, DC, is also available for private parties, able to seat up to 120 people, or accommodate 175 for a standing cocktail party. The entire restaurant can also be rented for weddings and other special events, accommodating up to 300 people. Complimentary valet three hour parking is available. For more information on the restaurant, visit their site at: www.seacatchrestaurant.com.

About Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar:
Sea Catch Restaurant & Raw Bar is located in the historic Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. The restaurant is known for preparing some of the best seafood culinary delights in the area, always using the freshest ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. They exclusively offer two types of local oysters. Open for more than 30 years, the restaurant continues to thrive, being popular with tourists, locals, and politicians. For more information, visit their site at: www.seacatchrestaurant.com.