Cookout season is in full swing here in Florida! I mentioned earlier this week that Andrew and I have been having a cookout with our friends at least once a week lately. We’ve been enjoying it so much that we decided to have a cookout for our weekly date night a couple weeks ago.
Date night is one of my favorite nights of the week! We used to go out to eat each week, but lately we have been trying to cook more. This cookout was a great way to make sure date night was different from just a regular meal.
This date idea is inexpensive and so easy to pull off. Even though it’s an at-home date, it’s a fun way to mix things up.
Setting the Table
We had our cookout at Andrew’s house, and they didn’t have much for decorating the table (it is a bachelor pad after all!). I went to the Dollar Tree and picked up a couple things to add a nice touch to the table. I spent $4 on the placemats and candles.
If you don’t have an outdoor dining table, improvise! They don’t have one at Andrew’s house so we have been bringing the coffee table outside whenever we have cookouts and setting up camping chairs. It works great! If you don’t have a backyard, find a local park with a grill and bring your date there.
The Menu
Buffalo & Blue Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers
Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings (I didn’t use the hot sauce)
Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Be sure to include a Summer-y drink! For Valentine’s Day Andrew and I went to Florida Estates Winery, so we had a bottle of their Casa Del Sol Florida Orange wine. It was perfect for this meal!
What is your favorite date night idea?
Katie @ Hot Tea/Empty Seat says
April 9, 2015 at 8:56 amThat is the fanciest cook out I have ever seen, haha! I LOVE it! 🙂 Those burgers seriously look amazing. Oh snap, makes me hungry. Was the wine orange flavored??
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:48 amAww, thanks friend! Yes, the wine was orange flavored! When we went to the wine tasting I didn’t really care for it, but having it chilled with this meal it was much better!
Chelsea says
April 9, 2015 at 9:35 amLove this, girl! Such a unique topic idea. And great photography!
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:48 amThank you! It was a lot of fun to put together.
Simply Sheard says
April 9, 2015 at 9:51 amYummy this looks super tasty, I’m excited for some warm weather here in Wisco so we can enjoy our little porch! P.S. your place mats are super cute!
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:49 amThanks! I hope you get some great cookout weather soon. Can you believe those placemats are from the Dollar Store? Such a great find!
Madison says
April 9, 2015 at 10:33 amThis looks like the perfect date night! As it’s getting warmer, we want to do some s’mores date nights outside soon 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:49 amOooh, I love the idea of a s’mores date night. I hope you get a chance to do that soon.
Brittany Bergman says
April 9, 2015 at 11:36 amThose bacon wrapped onion rings are calling my name! I’m so excited for warmer weather and cookout date nights. We’re moving into our first house in May, and I’m so looking forward to having real outdoor space (compared to our tiny apartment balcony). And I totally agree with Madison below — s’mores are a must!
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:54 amThey were sooooo good! That is so exciting that you are moving into your first house soon. Congrats! My fiancé and I are going to be getting our first house together later this year and an outdoor area is a priority for us!
Gennie says
April 9, 2015 at 2:53 pmThis looks like an incredible date night! I can’t wait to move into a house, and the first purchase will be a grill for sure. 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
April 13, 2015 at 7:55 amOh, yes! It’s a must for sure.
Elizabeth T says
April 22, 2015 at 4:07 pmOh deliciousness!!! Everything is just calling my name…especially bacon wrapped onion rings?–yum! Thanks so much for linking up, Jenna! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
April 23, 2015 at 4:38 pmThis was SUCH a fun date night idea! I was glad I had a post to link up with y’all this month.