"Dì 'ti amo' con la pizza"*

*"Say 'I love you' with pizza"

-- Ancient Italian proverb. Maybe.

There's something about eating Italian food that makes you feel both satisfied and cultured. The pasta, pizzas, sauces, herbs, and spices of the various dishes delight taste buds while the very essence of Italian cuisine makes you appreciate the time-honored recipes and methods of cooking. 

Another part of what makes Italian food great is -- dare I say it -- that it makes you want to fall in love? Seeing as how basil, among other lust-inspiring ingredients found in Italian food, is a known aphrodisiac, and Italian fare is loooaded with it, this doesn't come as a complete shock. After all, Italy gave us Sophia Loren and gelato, so it's safe to say that all their exports were meant to delight just about every human sense you can think of.

No matter if you're going out or staying in with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, consider putting Italian fare on your dinner menu. Plenty of local Italian restaurants offer meals for pick-up so you can turn your home into a private Neapolitan getaway away from the loved-up mobs. Just get some good wine, play a little Dino, and you're all set. 

Whether your dish of choice is a pizza or chicken parmesan, Italian cuisine has something for everyone -- from antipasti to desserts. 

Happy Valentine's Day from your friends at OCN!

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