Love snack
Looking for some get-in-the-mood food? Try these aphrodisiac dishes
related stories
Mojo to go
January 12, 2005

By Erin Ensign

It's hard to feel sexy in the dead of winter. Suntan? Gone. Two-hundred dollar jeans? Can't even zip 'em up after the holidays. Since you still have to eat, why not try an aphrodisiac? Here are some key weapons to brandish in your seduction arsenal.

Chocolate
One of the top feel-good foods around, it should come as no surprise that chocolate is on our list of favorite Viagra-like victuals. You could try one of the chocolate dessert crepes at Cafe Bordeaux and Crepes ($4.50). Each one is a warm, crisp pillow filled a sensuous ooze of dark chocolate garnished with a sinful scoop of whipped cream (you can also order yours with Nutella, the hazelnut version of peanut butter). If that doesn't do it for you, pull out the big gun: Order the "special crepe for gays, birthdays or love" ($10), a rather odd ode to male genitalia--the crepe's stuffed with a whole banana anchoring two scoops of ice cream at one end and whipped cream at the other end.

Saffron
Have your pick of the menu at modern Lakeview Indian restaurant, Monsoon. Most entrees, like lamb korma (tender lamb pieces served in a cashew gravy) are accompanied by one of the restaurant's five rice varieties of rice--all of which contain saffron, said to increase desire (entrees range from $7-$14). And go crazy--cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and fennel (all spices commonly found in Indian food) are used in most dishes.

Vanilla
The mere scent of vanilla is enough to inspire lust. Our recommended dessert: Natillas Classicas ($7) at Chilpancingo, which, along with Topolobampo, is one of River North's most elegant Mexican restaurants. Similar to crème brulee, this dessert delivers a one-two punch with both real vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks (also an aphrodisiac) among its ingredients. Arriba!

Truffles
The musky scent of these mushroom-like delicacies are said to stimulate and sensitize the skin. You can catch a whiff by ordering the pan-roasted quail at Vivere ($24.95). It's a rich dish: The quail is crisped on the outside, served on top of porcini farrotto (a risotto-like pasta made with meaty porcini mushrooms), and rimmed with a reduction made of black truffles, red wine, shallots and veal stock. The ornate, Baroque-inspired interior with spiral sconces, wood and marble floors, candlelit tables and cozy booths provides the perfect backdrop.

Aniseed
Sucking on seeds from the anise plant, is supposed to increase desire. At Artopolis, aniseed is a common ingredient, lending a licorice flavor to both baked and savory dishes. Try their paxitadia, a Greek version of biscotti ($7.45 per lb.), or the Tuesday special, hilopittes stagioni--linguine topped with a fennel/anise cream sauce, served with mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and baby peas ($8.95).

Oysters
Some say it's the silky, velvety texture of raw oysters that kindles one's carnal desires. Others say it's the high concentration of zinc, an essential mineral for sexual appetite and endurance (take that, Levitra!). Whatever camp you fall into, we suggest slurping them down at Base. Three bucks gets you one of four varieties: tempura oyster with lime-chili sauce, lemongrass oyster, oyster with strawberry champagne gelee, or oyster with caviar and crème fraiche. And--how convenient!--Base is located right inside the Hard Rock Hotel (wink, wink).

Pine Nuts
Also on the love list for their high concentration of zinc are pine nuts. Tuscany on Taylor's "ravioli pera alla giorgio" ($14.75) features pear and parmesan-stuffed ravioli with a puree of pine nuts, walnuts, cashews, sun dried tomatoes, fresh pears and mascarpone cheese.