Kitchens both personal and professional are notorious for breeding environments of flirtation and sexual innuendo, and surely this is no accident.  There’s a lot of fire, fellow chefs on their way to the dish pit yelling “hot behind!”, and people discreetly feeding each other little tastes of this or that.  Things usually smell incredibly good, and there are a lot of flushed faces from all the heat.  It’s fairly undeniable.  Food is an incredibly sexy thing.

Not many people give credence to the idea of aphrodisiacs these days.  That certain foods and flavors possess exceptionally arousing properties is perhaps a bit of a quaint notion to some.  These days, people want scientific research and clinical studies and definitive proof, but I say that the use of aphrodisiacs is a beautiful part of the art of seduction.  At the very least, they are a way to awaken and tantalize the senses, and we all know where that road leads.

With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, why not consider ditching the traditional and bundling up, taking your significant other’s hand, and embarking on a romantic (and far more inspired) aphrodisiac food tour of downtown Manhattan?

Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia Street
212.691.8211
www.pearloysterbar.com

Oysters are a classic aphrodisiac.  Interestingly, some species of oysters actually change gender repeatedly, a fact which may contribute to some of their erotic lure and lore.  They are also high in the mineral zinc, which is linked to the production of testosterone.  Pull up two chairs at the renowned Pearl Oyster Bar and let their experts serve you a dozen of the day’s best market selections to share.

Aphrodisia Herb Shoppe
264 Bleecker Street
212.989.6440
www.aphrodisiaherbshoppe.com

The name says it all.  Browse this incredible store for an impressive collection exotic of herbs and spices from around the world (saffron, vanilla, chiles, cardamom, and basil - among others - are considered to be endowed with aphrodisiac properties), as well as a wide selection of essential oils and fragrances.

Vosges Haut Chocolate
132 Spring Street
212.625.2929
www.vosgeschocolate.com

The number for a good chocolatier is, hands down, the best thing to have in your repertoire when it comes to creating romance.  If plain old delicious chocolate isn’t good enough, they’ve got all sorts of aphrodisiacs covered (in chocolate!).  Choose from a huge selection of sensually-geared goodies, including chocolate and ancho chiles, champagne truffles, and chocolate-covered bacon (definitely not a traditional aphrodisiac, but irresistible nonetheless).

Russ & Daughters
179 East Houston Street
212.475.4880
www.russanddaughters.com

For one of the most erotic food pairings out there, try delicate little spoonfuls of caviar in between sips of chilled vodka.  Like oysters, caviar is chock full of testosterone-promoting zinc, and no one does caviar better than NYC institution Russ & Daughters, who have been at it for nearly a hundred years.

Manhattan Fruit Exchange
75 9th Avenue
212.989.2444

Nestled inside the incredible Chelsea Market amongst some of the best food shopping in the world, Manhattan Fruit Exchange carries a huge selection of produce, nuts, spices, and dry goods.  This is the place to go for nature’s little teasers:  almonds, bananas, figs, honey, chili peppers, avocados - all of which have been touted to have arousing characteristics.