To put Londoners in the mood for dating this summer, match.com today opened the doors to London’s most romantic pop-up, the Aphrodisiac Cafe. The event takes place in Soho Square from 11am until 2pm, serving a menu of aphrodisiacs specially created by Club Gascon’s Michelin-starred chef, Pascal Aussignac.
The dishes on offer will include flamed oysters served on smoky pines, crunchy asparagus with arugula crush and glazed chilli peppers in honey and saffron. All dishes include at least one ingredient famed for its potent aphrodisiac qualities, and have been designed by M. Aussignac to be easily shared by two diners: perfect for titillating the tastebuds and inflaming diners’ passions.
Everything on the menu is being offered free-of-charge to members of the public and daytime daters looking to improve their chances of success. Match.com is using the event to road-test an aphrodisiac-based menu which will be served to match.com members at a series of match.com socials throughout the summer.
The menu for match.com’s Aphrodisiac Café is as follows:
- Black crisp and aioli
- Crunchy asparagus and arugula crush
- Glazed chilli peppers in honey and saffron
- Crackling duck egg and frosted beer
- Cured beef onglet, mulled wine and pomegranate
- Flamed oysters on smoky pines and finger lime
- Fig cornetto, fig leaf emulsion and almonds
- Chocolate truffle and Armagnac
Pascal Aussignac comments: “Food has a powerful effect on our emotions. Be it the nutritional effects of their ingredients or the psychological connection between certain foods and the person tasting them, what we eat can affect our mood. We have created this menu by putting a contemporary twist on foods which have long been known for their aphrodisiac qualities. I hope we help some single Londoners get lucky!”
The café has been created following research from the dating site, which revealed that bad table manners and poor dinner date decorum may be costing British singles their chances of a second date. Almost nine out of 10 (88 per cent) singles say their date’s choice of food and their table manners can be make or break for the success of their date.1
Kate Taylor, relationship expert for match.com, comments: “We all know that food and dating aren’t always the perfect combination: be it splitting the bill, bad table manners or the difficulty of eating spaghetti, there’s always something that can get in the way. That’s why we decided to create the Aphrodisiac Café. Everything on the menu has been designed to put daters in the mood for love, from the aphrodisiac ingredients to the fact that the dishes are designed to be shared.
Amy Reiley, gastronomist and aphrodisiac expert, comments: “The dishes on offer at the Aphrodisiac Café combine all the ingredients needed for a powerful boost to the libido. From zinc-filled oysters, to the testosterone-fuelling properties of pomegranate and the hot-under-the-collar kick of fresh chilli, this menu should put singles in the mood for some summer dating.”
Amy’s thoughts on the aphrodisiac properties of each of the dishes on the menu:
Crunchy asparagus and arugula crush
While some will assume it is its shape that gives asparagus aphrodisiac appeal, this vegetable of desire is actually packed with libido-boosting power. Asparagus and arugula offer two of the most pleasurable ways to eat your greens and between them feed your libido much-needed vitamins E, A, C and folate.
Black crisp and aioli
The use of aphrodisiacs in a meal does not rely entirely on ingredients. One of the most sensual food experiences is the layering of textures. The crunch of a crisp followed by a lick of luscious creaminess can bring added sensuality to the dinner table.
Glazed chilli peppers in honey and saffron
Honey is known as the Nectar of Aphrodite and with good cause. Viscous, sticky, sweet, it is a natural in games of romance. But chillies may be this dish’s most potent aphrodisiac for their ability to raise body temperature and make lips plump with kissable softness.
Crackling duck egg and frosted beer
Eggs are recognized the world over as one of the most beautiful symbols of fertility. As a food of desire, they provide the body with the protein needed for a night of passion.
Cured beef onglet, mulled wine and pomegranate
Pomegranate is one of the world’s oldest aphrodisiacs, beloved from ancient Greece to the Orient. Although it is often assumed that a pomegranate’s sexy crimson colour is its finest aphrodisiac attribute, it turns out that this vitamin-rich fruit is a powerful aid in testosterone production.
Flamed oysters on smoky pines and finger lime
Could there be any food more widely known as an aphrodisiac than the oyster? Be assured that this fleshy fruit of the sea’s reputation is not without merit. Oysters are an excellent source of zinc, which is known to improve blood flow.
Fig cornetto, fig leaf emulsion and almonds
Figs are an excellent source of iron and potassium which help get the body in the mood for love.
Chocolate truffle and Armagnac
It’s likely that the aphrodisiac power of chocolate is predominantly in the eater’s mind. Armagnac, on the other hand, has proven successful as an aphrodisiac by great lovers throughout the ages.
Those who are unable to visit the Aphrodisiac Café can take part in one of our match.com social aphrodisiac dining events on either the 20th and 27th August. Visit www.match.com/events to sign up.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1 LoveGeist study: The annual European reference study on singles and dating. The survey was conducted by TNS on behalf of Match.com from 7th to 30th of October 2013. 11, 368 singles between 18 and 65 years in eight European countries were asked (Sweden, Norway, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Spain). 1,504 singles were interviewed in the UK. Singles were defined as persons who are not in a committed relationship, regardless of their marital status. During analysis the data have been carefully measured to reflect the composition of the number of singles per country based on age and gender. When calculating statistics at a European level, country size and population has been taken in to account.
2 Opinium survey: Total sample size was 2,001 adults of which 614 are single (i.e. not in a committed relationship). Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st – 3rd July and was carried out online. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
About the Aphrodisiac Café
The Aphrodisiac Café is a pop-up restaurant in Soho Square, which will be open from 11:00 to 16:00 on 14th August. Members of the public are invited to sample an aphrodisiac-based menu for free and provide their feedback on the dishes.
About match.com socials
Match.com have a full programme of match.com social events available to members across the UK. Here are some examples of events coming up for August/September:
- Aphrodisiac dining event
Try out our brand new Aphrodisiac dining menu at our very first match.com social aphrodisiac dining event
20th August at 7 pm
- Aphrodisiac dining event
Try our delicious aphrodisiac menu at our relaxed London venue
27th August at 7 pm
- Detective Walking Tour
Join us to explore the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, tracing the steps of his fictional sleuth around Marylebone and Baker Street.
3rd September at 6:30pm
- Thames Powerboat Experience
Get your pulse racing with this exhilarating powerboat ride down the river Thames
20th September at 1pm
Visit www.match.com/events to sign up