Sure, Gotham is awash in great restaurants, bars, cafes, streetfood and foodtalls. But sometimes - you just want to stay in. And then there are those times you want to stay in with company.  Maybe it’s because neither of you can decide between Chinese and Italian. Maybe you want to impress her with your domestic side or you want to impress him with your ability to saute in stilletos. Whatever the reason, Gotham at home can be just as fabulous as Gotham Out on the Town. Don’t worry if you don’t cook, have never “staged” your place or set a mood. We’re here to help.

• Straighten Up: No, I don’t mean shove everything under the bed and behind the closet door. Well, yes I do mean that actually - shove all your various and sundry out of site but grab a Swiffer and dust, plump the pillows (change the sheets!) and put away the laundry.

• Light the Lights: but not too bright. Look, fluorescents don’t bring out the best in anyone’s skin tone and are about as romantic as a cafeteria lunch. So - soft light, please. Candles are always good. Line them upon window sills, float them in a bowl of water or group them ON small mirrors to reflect more light in new directions. If candles aren’t your thing, use the table lamps as opposed to overheads. Change a few bulbs from the usual to some pink tinted ones (Men, do NOT groan. You have no idea how much more attractive everyone looks and feels in a slightly pinky light). If you can, shield the light from the kitchen (usually the harshest light in the home) from coming into wherever you are dining.

Bonus idea: Candles themselves are easy enough to get (you can even get quite realistic flameless candles these days) but what about candleholders? For maximum effect try using tiered candleholders as well as candle trays.

• Laying the Table: Decant the food into actual serving dishes and don’t lay it out in it’s plastic containers. There is nothing romantic about plastic and paper containers unless you are in the movie “My Favorite Year” (and last time I checked, none of us were). Using a number of smaller mix and match bowls allows you to create a cohesive look for a “sampler” menu, which lends itself to ‘finger foods’ - which lend themselves in turn to feeding to each other. No need to go overboard with the matching. You don’t need a set of dishes. Complimentary pieces instead of matchy-matchy pieces make a more attractive and more interesting table. Fishes Eddy and Pearl River Mart are great resource for small ceramic dishes, bowls and the like.  

 Bonus idea: Give the dining table a miss entirely. So formal! Maybe dine amongst some floor pillows? Silk throw pillows can be found relatively inexpensively - buy a bunch and really pile them up. It will make any meal positively decadent.

• Blooms: Get flowers not just for the table but also some for the entry way and/or bedroom. Some things to remember for the table arrangement - non-scented flowers. You don’t want it competing with the food (chrysanthemums or zinnias are a great option). It should also be low so you see each other without leaning to the side. (maybe have the chrysanthemums or zinnias floating in a shallow glass bowl)

Bonus idea: Take a tip from all those hotel romance packages - sprinkle rose petals on the bed but beware - you do run a risk of stains from darkly colored flowers. So if the bed is made with super expensive, highly valued sheets you may want to lay a throw down first and not risk potential stains. A great tip for avoiding this potential mood killer - order fake rose petals.

• In Vino Veritas: Get some wine. Don’t worry if you don’t know anything about wine. Again, this is New York - city of experts, home of many of the best wine shops around. Ask the staff at the wine shop. They will have suggestions 

• Food, Glorious Food: Don’t cook? Don’t worry. This is New York - world headquarters of the concept of “delivery”. Work that angle and all will be well. Want a slightly more hands on approach but still fear using actual appliances? Wander down the aisles of places like Grace’s Marketplace, The Vinegar Factory, Eli’s Manhattan, Zabar’s, Agata & Valentina and the like. Compose a feast of his or her favorites. Who cares if it’s a balanced meal. As long as it shows you picked everything out with the thought of them first and foremost, it’ll be a hit.

• Dolce Sotto Voce: If you have a system that allows you to plug in your MP3 player - get it charged up and put together a play list. Something not too jarring. If you wanted to shout over music, you could have gone to a bar.

Bonus Idea: Try some Michael Bublé.

• What To Wear: Consider what you’re going to wear. As long as you are straightening up your stuff, you might as well straighten up yourself as well. Sure, they’ve probably seen you look worse but this is Valentine’s Day. Dress for them - wear the shirt she bought you for your birthday or the dress he always seems to compliment you on. Or, since you’re at home and not in public - why not wear something a bit racier. Push the envelope a bit and pump up the “sexy.” Come on! You’re at home!

OK, we’ve done what we can. It’s all up to you now. And you know what? You’ll get a lot of points JUST for trying so enjoy.  Oh! Almost forgot - turn off the cell phone and make sure the answering machine is on. We need no interruptions this evening.