Many people will be making Valentine’s Day reservations at their favorite restaurant this month. Why not enjoy some of your favorite dishes in the comfort of your own home without doing the work?

In the midst of busy workweeks, my husband and I decided to get some scrumptious takeout for a romantic night in. Itching for Italian, we went with Buca di Beppo. Their reputation for authentic Italian fare in family-size portions was more than appealing. Their Web site listing the full menu, prices and photographs – coupled with easy telephone ordering – cinched the deal for us.

We called in our selections of Fried Mozzarella, Chicken Parmesan and Linguine Frutti di Mare, and not forgetting about dessert – we also ordered the Homemade Cheesecake. My husband picked it up and we met at home after a long day of work. I was astounded by the enormous portions, and set much of it aside for lunches. In the dining room of our home, I enjoyed the fresh seafood linguine with the right amount of spice, accompanied by a fresh-from-the-oven loaf of sliced Italian bread. My husband savored the crispy fried mozzarella, and crunch of the chicken Parmesan. While you’d think he had his fill of cheese, on the contrary, he had saved just enough room for a few bites of cheesecake. The rich, yet fluffy cheesecake, drizzled with fresh raspberry sauce, accented with toasted hazelnuts was the perfect finish to a meal at home. Enjoying authentic Italian fare at home, without all the preparation was easy and delicious!

This Valentine’s Day, start a new tradition and order in from Buca di Beppo and bring a taste of Italy to your dining room!

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