1. Choose a meal for the evening. Realize that impressing a man with a dinner doesn't have to be an ordeal. Make a list of his favorite dishes, along with a list of your personal specialties. Piece together a menu that captures the spirit of the night. Put a new twist on his favorite meal, or introduce an entirely new dish for added appeal. Using a variety of cookbooks can help you pin down a worthy meal option.

2. Keep the romantic dinner a secret. Although you may be tempted to alert your man to the romantic evening that you have in store for him, keeping it a surprise can enhance the effectiveness of your hard work. Stow away any evidence of your event planning, as he may piece together your intentions if you're not careful.

3. Create a dynamic presentation. While your cooking and presentation skills don't have to rival those of Martha Stewart, paying attention to the details is important. Understand the difference between getting a man to merely eat your cooking and impressing him with your efforts. Pull out all the stops, as doing so shows your dedication to making his evening special. Examples include serving his food on your best China, or making the meal from scratch instead of using store-bought items.

4. Give the appearance that preparing the meal was a cinch--even if it wasn't. Engage him with interesting conversation and warm body language. Wearing an attractive outfit and sprucing up your hair can make him even more appreciative of your efforts.