If you've never indulged in an affair before, I think you ought to give it a shot. Because, speaking from experience, I potently believe that spending a couple of glorious hours in very special company at a spectacularly romantic meet-up spot can lend some much-needed heat to your too-often flaccid evenings. And that just might be the rejuvenating tonic that will help you face the tedium of your day-to-day life.

So I suggest you get especially dolled up this Friday night and then take your hot-looking self over to the beyond-lovely Franklin Park Conservatory and let the magic happen. Oh yeah, love will be in the air - and on plates and in glasses - that night at the seventh-annual Columbus Food and Wine Affair.

If you can't find something you absolutely love at the always-fantastic Columbus Food and Wine Affair, then you probably don't have a pulse. For one, this must-attend event lays out beautiful culinary delights from a slew of the best restaurants in town. Among the myriad gourmet tastemakers listed are: Latitude 41, M at Miranova, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Top Steak House, Vino Vino, newbies like Barrio, DeepWood, Vittoria and Sage American Bistro and, of course, the venerable Worthington Inn.

But as the Affair's full title suggests, there's going to be a little vino in the splendiferous park, too. How much, you might ask? Well, how does over 300 different bottles sound to you? (That's even more than I can drink in an evening - well, probably.)

You see, this Friday night's soiree is the culmination of one of the biggest wine competitions in the Midwest. The grapey contest involved over 300 fermented entrants, and each worthy label was invited to the shindig - so plan on sipping generously from around the globe. For instance, at past CF&W Affairs, glass-clinking revelers have been treated to everything from big Italians to Napa Valley stalwarts to real-deal French Champagnes.

As an added bonus, all the fun is going to benefit some great causes. Over the past half-dozen years, the CF&W Affair has raised more than $300,000 for great charities, and this year, your well-spent dollars will help out the following: Children's Hunger Alliance, Mid-Ohio FoodBank, Ian Adams Van Heyde Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Central Ohio Restaurant Association Foundation. I will see you there!