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Things to Do on Valentine’s Day

Thursday 2 February 2017

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Are you in a stay-at-home kind of relationship, or do you prefer to head out on the town? Either way we've compiled some of the best things to do on Valentine's Day to help you charm the pants off your beloved.

Dinner à deux may be the time-honoured way to celebrate February 14, but the longer you’ve been together, the more it can seem, well, a tad predictable! Instead of hunting round for yet another ‘romantic’ restaurant this year, why not shake things up good and proper?!

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At maze Grill Mayfair and Heddon Street Kitchen we’ve arranged some very special Kitchen Table Experiences for February 14. You and your partner, along with the handful of other couples clever enough to book their seats promptly, will enjoy a love-bird’s eye view of chefs working the pass, cooking a specially designed Valentine’s feast showcasing the restaurants’ best dishes. There’ll be plenty to keep the conversation flowing, whether or not you opt for the matching wine pairings!

If that’s not quite your thing, why not use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to tick another Michelin-starred restaurant off your list? Pétrus, where the Valentine’s menu is a dazzling procession of seven exquisite courses, is a sumptuous choice.

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Or how about a stay in the gorgeous boutique bedrooms of York & Albany, which has a special four-course Valentine’s menu available 10-14 February.

 

Gifts for boyfriends for Valentine’s Day

Whether you want to make a beautiful Valentine’s card or expect to pick one up at the newsagent, it’s nice to have a little surprise slipped inside the envelope. Our Gifts & Experiences vouchers suit everyone from good-time guys to the most discerning gentlemen. Consider a slap-up lunch for two at The Narrow, a masterclass in pasta making, whisky and cheese pairing, even a Michelin-starred meal at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. And if you simply can’t decide, we also have vouchers for a range of denominations that can be used at any Gordon Ramsay restaurant in London.

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Gifts for girlfriends for Valentine’s Day

How about – in addition to a bunch of flowers – you present your lady love with tickets to an exclusive floral masterclass including an elegant champagne lunch at Pétrus? Held in conjunction with prestigious flower designer Judith Blacklock, who has arranged the flowers at Kensington Palace, these thrilling days out have been selling so well we’ve had to schedule more. Buy a voucher online for 27 February or 27 March here.

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Bubbly, you won’t be surprised to read, is also a great way to charm the ladies. And we’ve got plenty of ways to enjoy it: Bottomless Sushi Saturday at Maze Grills in Chelsea, Prosecco Pranzo at Union Street Café, and the Prosecco Brunch at London House or Heddon Street Kitchen. If she’s a fan of sushi, the Sushi Chef’s Menu for 2 at Maze is another winning gift experience.

 

Where to pop the question on Valentine’s Day

Imagine you’re in a remote alpine cabin, gazing into her eyes as you delve into tiramisu-for-two. You’ve enjoyed a wonderful supper of Scottish scallops and eight-hour braised lamb shoulder. The moment seems right. Should you get down on one knee? Why not – there’s only a couple of gingerbread men cushions to witness. And what girl wouldn’t be dazzled when you’ve booked York & Albany’s exclusive Gingerbread Cabin with overnight hotel stay for the evening?

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This fabulous scenario is only available for five nights up to February 14, so hurry if you want to secure your booking.

We have plenty of other romantic options for your big declaration… How about lunch or dinner amid the historic glamour of Savoy Grill, where the stylish Valentine’s menu begins with Love is in the Air cocktail for two, and finishes with croquembouche, hot chocolate sauce and strawberries?

Or beside twinkling Thames lights at our riverside restaurant The Narrow, which is serving seductive Colchester oysters as part of its five-course Valentine’s menu?

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What to do on Valentine’s Day if you are single

There's still plenty of things to do on Valentine's Day, whether you're a fan or not. Head out anyway, is our assessment. Choose a bright, buzzing bar and restaurant such as glamorous Bread Street Kitchen near St Paul’s. You could invite a BFF to share a cocktail masterclass. Or why not take a seat at Maze’s sushi bar – who knows who you’ll meet?

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What to cook for Valentine’s Day

Sometimes, staying in to cook a special meal for two is the most romantic option. But remember: special doesn’t mean complicated. You also want to be your relaxed best self, so keep it simple and well-planned.

Tip One is get as much of it as possible done and in the fridge a day or two before. Bread Street Kitchen’s Beef Wellington is perfect for this and always wows. Or make a feisty chimichurri sauce ready to accompany simply grilled steak. Sweets like honey panna cotta and chocolate truffles will sit happily in the fridge until the big night too.

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Another good way to impress with little effort is to choose luxury ingredients and present them very simply. Take a look at Union Street Café's recipe for razor clams, or whisk some truffle brie into good old fashioned mash (great served alongside that steak).

Remember, too: most people don’t want to overeat on a night of passion! You could skip starters altogether, and just put out a few deli items like olives and charcuterie. Or mix up a luxurious cocktail instead of dessert. The Honey Bunny and Mistletoe Kiss taste just as delicious on Valentine’s Day as they do at Easter or Christmas. Think you might need something more, err, uplifting? We find most people love an Espresso Martini 

There you have it. Make plans for Valentine's Day in London by seeing what's on and booking a table today. 

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