One Surprise Fits All

I've been with my boyfriend five months, and want to make him a romantic dinner. What should I serve? What should I wear? What would make it romantic, fun and special for him? How can I surprise, excite and charm him?

--Clueless

I find that nothing says "I love you" like a case of anaphylactic shock -- when the dinner meant to take a guy's breath away becomes the dinner that causes him to stop breathing. A severe allergic reaction is the sort of thing that can happen when you ask a total stranger what your boyfriend of five months would find tasty, romantic and sexy. (Don't bother making dessert. The hospital will give him a fruit cup after he's deintubated.) What's actually romantic and special is getting the sense that the person you're dating gets you -- that they've been paying attention to what you're into and even remarks you've made in passing. This evening should reflect that, and you should have fun figuring out what, exactly, would surprise, excite and charm the guy. If you're totally at a loss, pay attention to what he says and does in the future, and for now, do as I do: Come to the door naked with a chicken on a spear. (My UPS man really seems to like that.)