Love Bites: Aphrodisiac Foods

by sfgirl06 - 1 Review - 261 Lists

Updated: February 01, 2009

Sexy lingerie and expensive cologne will only get you so far-- Aphrodite works in mysterious ways, and sometimes you need to introduce some tantalizing foods to intrigue a new date or spice up an existing relationship. While our list of aphrodisiacs may not sound sexy (fertilized duck egg and lumpy truffles, really?), they're known to work wonders on your taste buds--and your date.

On this page:Arugula, Balut, Chocolate, Ginseng, Oysters, Truffles, Wine.

Arugula

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Beretta
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    1199 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    One of this super popular Italian restaurant's prized dishes is an arugula-and-fennel salad topped with shaved Parmesan--a perfect late-night (pre-bed) snack.

  2. 2 3.5 Star Rating: Average A16
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    2355 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)

    For $3, lovebirds can add arugula to any of the wood-fired pizzas at this esteemed southern Italian restaurant in the Marina.

Balut

  1. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Manila Oriental Market
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    950 King Plz Ste 112, Daly City, CA 94015 (map)

    Much like the large grocery stores on Clement street, this Mission street market sells a diverse array of Asian specialty foods. You'll have to cook it yourself, but you can find balut here (and impress your adventurous sweetie at home).

  2. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Turo Turo Restaurant
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    984 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112 (map)

    Good Filipino is hard to find, but Turo Turo, a homey spot offering low-cost delicacies, has a menu full of traditional delights, including this fetal duck egg.

Chocolate

  1. 5 Tcho Beta
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    Pier 17, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

    Not only does this tech-friendly chocolate company serve some serious dark chocolate, they infuse their sweet bites with fruit, nuts, citrus and other qualities to bring out the best in the cocoa (and you).

  2. 6 1 Star Rating: Poor Cocoabella Chocolates
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    2102 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123 (map)

    The owners of this Marina chocolatier modeled it after old-World European shops and take great pride in their luxurious creations.

Ginseng

  1. 7 Tai Fong Wo Herbs
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    857 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94108 (map)

    An herbal shop since 1922, this Chinatown apothecary boasts an endless array of herbs, spices and dried foods, as well as beauty products.

  2. 8 Vinh Khang Herb & Ginseng
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    512 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118 (map)

    Beyond ginseng, this shop offers herbs to cure any ailment; ask to speak to the on-site Chinese doctor if you?d like a solution for headaches along with your love potion.

Oysters

  1. 9 3 Star Rating: Average Waterbar
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    399 The Embarcadero South, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

    As if the killer views and solid drink list at this high-end seafood spot aren't enough kindling for romance, try the dollar oysters for the full effect.

  2. 10 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Hog Island Oyster Co
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    1 Ferry Plz, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

    This is the place to be for fresh Bay Area oysters, served up for locals and tourists alike. Snag waterfront seating to dazzle your date.

Truffles

  1. 11 3.5 Star Rating: Average Oola
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    860 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    If the truffle craving hits you long after dinner hours, head here for a midnight snack. Open until 1am most nights, Oola serves a unique truffle broth with their foie gras and incorporates truffle oil into many of their other dishes.

  2. 12 4 Star Rating: Recommended Perbacco
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    230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111 (map)

    Truffle-herb gnocchi, truffle with rabbit, truffled meat balls?Perbacco has this aphrodisiac any way you like it. Call ahead during the off-season to make sure they have these menu items.

Wine

  1. 13 4 Star Rating: Recommended Crushpad
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    2573 3rd. Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 (map)

    If you can't find the wine you'd like, why not make your own? Create a special, personalized blend for you and your loved one, then enjoy it together.

  2. 14 Terroir Sf Llc
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    1116 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

    This wine bar and shop carries and serves organic and biodymanic Old World wines in a raw but comfortable space in SoMa. If the wine doesn't work, those sexy French accents will.