A lot good ideas so far...
There are a lot of parlor tricks that can make us mediocre types look like a hero...here's a couple...
Instead of traditional twice baked, try this:
Rub some olive oil and salt on your potatoes and bake them. Cut the ends off to make a cylinder shape, then scoop out the insides. Smash them up with butter and cream, S&P, (and any other bits you desire) Spoon them back into the hollowed out skins and plate them vertically, garnish with long chives. Super easy, tastes great, looks a million bucks...
For a simple "sauce":
About 30 mins before you plan to plate, start reducing some whipping cream in a small saucepan. Pull it off just before plating and stir in some crumbled gorgonzola. Goes fantastic with beef, and no one is the wiser...
Garlic is no problem as long as you are both eating it...but skip the asparagus on date night. Let's just say that's a bad plan...