Still not ready for Valentine’s tonight?
Staying In & Going Out
ENJOY THE PERFECT RESTAURANT MEAL – AT HOME | FROM £35
Get amazing takeaway. The key for this one is to make sure it’s ready when she gets home – you want the table set, the candles lit, the wine out. Chinese isn’t allowed: instead, opt for the very best of London’s restaurants, to-go. Our top pick is the fabulous Modern Pantry in Farringdon (020 7250 0833/ themodernpantry.co.uk). For sushi as good as any at Nobu, stop by the Japan Centre (14-16 Regent Street) and stock up on all manner of delights which – once arranged on some nice plates, with chopsticks, you’ll be good to go. Barbecoa, the Jamie Oliver restaurant, has a phenomenal butchers, with a huge range of meat you can knock up quickly – including luxury sausages. (It also has a take-out service, but only for lunch – in extremis you could load up on the sensational pulled pork boxes and stick them in the oven at home).
ROMANTIC NIBBLES | FROM £3.99
Don’t be shy of hearts, but make them original. Conveniently, Waitrose is stocking a heart-shaped brie and Poilane (www.poilane.fr), the posh French baker, are doing heart-shaped butter biscuits. If you want to get very groovy about it, Gelupo, the super-cool ice cream arm of Boca di Lupo in Soho has designed a box of gelato “kisses” – a box of gelato bon bons in flavours like ricotta sour cherry in dark chocolate and strawberry sorbet in white chocolate (£18, www.gelupo.com).
JO MALONE CANDLES | FROM £38
Romance up the house – and fast. Jo Malone, with outposts in the City and Canary Wharf, is the ultimate stop-off for all things woman-pleasing and scent related. There is a nice range or rose-fragrance candles, but Pomegranate Noir is the one to go for if you want the house to smell sensual. Make sure you get some bath salts to go with – and, you don’t need me to tell you – a nice bottle of bubbly, too.
VALENTINE’S HAMPER | £45
If you’re really stuck, get a hamper. This is in no way the poor man’s option, either: Fortnum’s are probably the safest bet if you’re guilty of forgetting Valentine’s Day. The specific V-Day selections need preordering, so opt for any other on the first floor. We like the boozy ones – you can then buy some baguette and cheese to make for a classy picnic in bed. Mount Street Deli’s Valentine hamper – handy if you work in Mayfair – is great, but requires a “breakfast in bed” theme. At 3am or whenever the night of passion leaves you feeling peckish, a half a bottle of Champagne, a bottle of peach nectar (for bellinis) Scott’s granola, organic fruit compotes and ginger & lemon biscuits should be just the ticket. £45.00, to order call 020 7499 6843
ROTUNDA | £48.50 FOR FOUR COURSES, INC A GLASS OF PROSECCO
Rotunda is offering Valentine’s treats including pumpkin, honey and rosemary mousse; ceviche of salmon; Northumbrian lamb and steamed chocolate pudding. At less than £50, including a glass of bubbly (albeit not from a certain region of France), Rotunda offers value that is hard to beat – especially if you have left it this late to book a table.
90 York Way, N1 Tel: 020 7014 2810
CASSIS BISTRO | £65 PER PERSON INC A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE
Cassis has designed a special sharing menu for Valentine’s couples. Guests can dine on bouillabaisse fish soup with whole fish fillets and shellfish or limousin veal fillet with puntalette pasta gratin. For that certain je ne sais quoi, there will be love songs played by Cassis’ resident pianist. The restaurant also features artworks from the likes of Matisse, Gary Hume and Eve Arnold. 232-236 Brompton Road, SW3 2BB | Tel: 020 7581 1101
MORGAN M | SPECIAL TASTING MENU £75 PER PERSON
Treat your someone special to a sharing menu at intimate French restaurant Morgan M. Expect dishes like fillet of Ikon Valley venison, pot-roasted with chestnut purée, liver ravioli and game jus – sure to add fuel to any burning fire of desire. A sommelier is on-hand throughout, ensuring the wine you choose is the perfect match. Just like your dining companion, with any luck. 50 Long Lane, EC1A | Tel: 020 7609 3560
ALYN WILLIAMS AT THE WESTBURY | SEVEN COURSES £90
Highly regarded chef Alyn Williams will be preparing a special seven course tasting menu including foie gras salad, poached lobster, poached brill and beef sirloin. The newly re-opened Mayfair eatery is a sophisticated retreat in the heart of the west end – the perfect spot to impress a Valentine’s date.
Westbury Hotel, Bond Street House, 14 Clifford Street, London W1S 2YF Tel: 020 7078 9579
LECTURE ROOM AND LIBRARY | FOUR COURSES £195 INC CHAMPAGNE
Michelin starred Lecture Room and Library at Sketch has a Valentine’s day menu created by master chef Pierre Gagnaire. Dine on a four finely crafted courses including scallop carpaccio or pan fried deer, all washed down with a glass of Bollinger rose. To add to the romantic mood their will be music by Louise Golbey throughout the night.
9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG Tel: 020 7659 4500