Although it seems Christmas was only yesterday, it is February once again, which means Valentine’s Day is once again here to rear its head (to the glee of avid marketeers). Whether you are looking to impress on a first date, try a new cuisine or restaurant with a loved one or toast to single-dom with your best girlfriends, here are the best restaurants to book this February 14th.
Frenchie, Covent Garden
WC2E 8QH
Ah Paris, the city of love. If you aren’t lucky enough to be in the City of Lights for the most romantic day of the year, Paris by way of Frenchie will have to suffice. The sister restaurant of Greg Marchand’s restaurants of the same name, Frenchie is putting on the works with a five-course tasting menu with optional eco-friendly wine pairings.
Served in their elegant and impressive Covent Garden restaurant, the exclusive menu will focus on clean, seasonal flavours and ingredients, with menu highlights to include foie gras and rhubarb presse, lobster with delica pumpkin, bisque and espelette pepper followed by Longhorn beef ribeye with potato terrine and elderflower béarnaise. Toast to a perfect evening with their special Valentine’s Day cocktail; a delicate yet floral blend of rhubarb, cranberry, vodka and Prosecco. This one’s sure to win you brownie points.
M Restaurants
Various locations across London
Those looking to level up their Valentine’s Day should opt for a Wagyu tasting experience upon the Thames with a limo trip on the river courtesy of M Restaurants. Guests are invited to tuck into an opulent three-course tasting menu showcasing the highest in quality Wagyu alongside a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose and not one, but a trio of desserts. Guests can enjoy all this and more whilst taking in the sights of London from their own personal yacht – ensuring a truly unforgettable date night experience for you and your loved one.
Gaucho
Various locations across London
Gaucho are here to provide the very best in entertainment this Valentine’s Day – whether you want to spend the celebrations with long time friends, your partner, or, even your four legged friend (because why should your pup have to stay at home?).
At Gaucho Hampstead on the 13th of February, the legendary steakhouse is encouraging guests to let their furry friends in on the action with 10-minute grooming sessions at their love themed doggy Sunday. If dogs aren’t your thing (we’re not judging, promise), head down to Gaucho Charlotte Street on the 14th for the highly anticipated return of the Gaucho Film Club; an immersive culinary cinema experience where you eat and drink everything that you see on the screen. For the big day, the restaurant will be screening When Harry Met Sally. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day evening.
Eco
Various locations across London
Whatever the question, pizza is always the answer. Whether heading out with friends or your other half, head to Eco for a cute (and Instagrammable) night out. To celebrate Love Day, Eco have created a special Valentine’s Day set menu available at both their Clapham and Kingston restaurants. The star of the show, however, is their fermented sourdough heart-shaped pizzas, available with asparagus, rose pepper and artichoke toppings, authentically cooked in their wood-fired ovens.
For drinks, their are a selection of cocktails on offer, including their fruity strawberry and rose Bellini – the perfect option for a Valentine’s Day tipple.
Ritu
NW8 0EH
Those looking for a truly unique Valentine’s Day experience should head down to Ritu; the north London Indian restaurant taking inspiration from the incredible vibrancy of Indian weddings. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the restaurant has come up with a three-course dining experience that will see guests immersed in a truly authentic Indian wedding experience.
Menu highlights include luxurious options like murg achari, lamb ghee roast and paneer pasanda – though the immersive experience doesn’t stop there. Alongside the exclusive menu offering, guests will be able to enjoy an evening of Bollywood dancing in all of its colour and splendour, for a night you will truly remember.
Haugen
E20 1JN
Nothing says romance like a crackling fire and bubbles. Cosy up with your loved one at Haugen, East London’s alpine inspired hideaway, for a romantic night eyeing each other up over a sharing fondue platter. Couples can enjoy a classic Swiss cheese fondue with white wine and garlic, sourdough and new potatoes before finishing the evening off with something sweet; a Swiss chocolate fondue complete with marshmallow, strawberries, honeycomb, shortbread, roast pineapple.
Of course, no Valentine’s Day meal would be complete without a little sparkle – that’s why guests can enjoy a bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee alongside their fondue experience, before departing for an evening walk across the Olympic Park.
Hot Stone
N1 9EZ
Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than sharing a platter of indulgent Wagyu and Kobe beef with your partner, and this Valentine’s Day you can do just that at Hot Stone.
To celebrate Valentine’s weekend, Hot Stone have launched their limited edition Impress menu, taking guests through a culinary celebration of fresh oysters and tuna tartare, followed by an assortment of executive chef Padam’s award winning sushi and sashimi. For the pièce de résistance, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of premium grade Japanese and olive-fed Yorkshire Wagyu alongside tiger king prawns and the certified rare Kobe beef that the restaurant has became synonymous for – being one of only eight restaurants in the UK to serve Kobe. It’s clear that a booking at Hot Stone is in order to pull out all the stops.
FishWorks
Various locations across London
Head down to FishWorks for a dinner that’s guaranteed to get you in the mood. Centred around classic British seafood and kicking off with a well known aphrodisiac in the form of an iced platter of 12 rock oysters, the three-course tasting menu offering from FishWorks is a must try for seafood lovers.
The menu will feature dishes designed for two people to share – from a pair of grilled lobsters served alongside garlic butter, or a deliciously fresh seafood platter of sea bream fillets and sautéed scallops. To drink? Why not opt for a carefully curated wine selection hand crafted by sommelier Tim McLaughlin-Green – it would be rude not to.
Isola
W1U 1AY
Newly opened Isola is the place to go this Galentine’s day. If you’ve suffered a bad breakup (or just want to show your love to your gal pals), head down to the pastel hued interiors of Isola, part of the San Carlo group, to enjoy a menu inspired by the southern islands of Italy and a selection of limited-edition Valentine’s Day cocktails and desserts.
Opt for an Instagrammable ‘Pucker Up’ cocktail; a refreshing blend of warming Kings Ginger liqueur, bitter Aperol, Italian lemon and raspberry, or the Amore Eterno; an exotic blend of smooth mango, Limoncello, gin and fresh cream, before tucking in to a sharing dish of spaghetti granseola – spaghetti for two served with a whole crab and house-spiced sauce. If cute cocktails and ‘grammable interiors are your bag, Isola is definitely one to book this Valentine’s Day.
sancarlo.co.uk/restaurants/isola-london
Iberica Valentine’s Day Tapas Night In
Not in the mood to be surrounded by love this year? We’ve got you. Share the perfect night in with a friend or a lover with the Iberica Valentine’s Tapas Night In. Including all you need for a romantic evening, this carefully curated hamper will take you on a taste of Spain via an indulgent selection of both hot and cold tapas dishes (with highlights including an Artisan cheese selection and Truffled Ibérico salchichon), followed by a heavenly chocolate and cream dessert. Staying in truly is the new going out.
shop.ibericarestaurants.com/product/valentines-tapas-night-in/
