Mastering Valentine’s – divine gourmet ideas for the big day

Cue the hand-tied rose bouquets, pop the Rosé Champagne and light the scented candles – Valentine’s is upon us. They say the way to the heart is through the stomach so express your love with some delicious gourmet ideas. But this blog comes with a warning – you may want to get prepared early to take care of the details. The Luxury Restaurant Guide plays Cupid to make your Valentine’s Day come up roses.

Please note Luxury Restaurant Club cards are not valid on Valentine’s Day

Choose A Restaurant With Menu To Suit Your Partner’s Tastes

Ten of the best cuisine suggestions for a romantic Valentine’s

• French: Petrus, 1 Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 8EA – offers a six-course Valentine’s menu at £130 pp
• Italian: Caldesi in Campagna, Old Mill Lane, Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2BG – offers a four-course Menu di San Valentino for £65 pp
• Indian: Jamavar, 8 Mount Street, London W1K 3NF – offers special Valentines menu at £65 pp
• Modern British: Marcus at The Berkeley, Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL – offers a six-course Valentine’s menu at £165 pp including signed copy of Marcus’s new cookbook and handmade chocolates to take away
• Seafood: Outlaw’s at The Capital, 22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1AT – offers a six-course Valentine’s menu at £135 pp
• Chinese: China Tang, The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA  – their fabulous normal menu applies which is great for sharing
• Peruvian: Lima, 31 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1JH – A special menu is being offered but unavailable at time of publication
• American: CUT at 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN – offers a three-course menu at £115 pp
• Japanese: Ginza Onodera, 15 Bury Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6AL – offers a bespoke five course menu that includes an aperitif – chose from either a Valentine’s cocktail or a glass of sparkling Italian wine – and signature dishes such as the Japanese Wagyu dumplings and Black Kanpachi carpaccio for £65 pp
• Icelandic: Texture, 34 Portman Street, Marylebone, London W1H 7BY – offers a six-course menu at £115 pp

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Dine on the Food of Lovers – Oysters

Five suggestions for the best Oysters Bars in London

• The Devonshire Club: (pictured), 5 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YD – Private Members Club with special exclusive access for Luxury Restaurant Club members, see details.
• Bentley’s Oyster Bar, 11-15 Swallow Street, St James’s, London, W1B 4DG
• Kaspar’s Seafood Bar & Grill, The Savoy, Strand, London WC2R 0EU
• Scott’s, 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, London W1K 2HE
• Bob Bob Ricard, 1 Upper James Street, Soho, London W1F 9DF

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Order Sharing Plates

Four suggestions of the best restaurants in the UK with sharing plates

• Caldesi in Campagna, Old Mill Lane, Bray, Maidenhead SL6 2BG
• Isabel, 26 Albermarle Street, London W1S 4HY
• Aquavit, St James’s Market, 1 Carlton Street, London SW1Y 4QQ
• Pike and Pine,  1D St James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1RE – Offers a Valentine’s special menu designed to share, four-courses at £45 pp

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Order Sweet Dreams

Five restaurant suggestions with amazing chocolate desserts

• Hélène Darozze (pictured), The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL
• The Grill at The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA – offers an exquisite five-course Valentine’s menu, featuring dishes such as smoked salmon with caviar, and seared sea scallops with black truffle. Served with a glass of champagne on February 14 for £110 pp
• The Hinds Head, High Street, Bray SL6 2AB – offers a four-course menu with champagne on arrival at £85 pp
• Restaurant Coworth Park, Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7SE – offers a six-course Valentine’s menu with glass of Laurent Perrier Rosé Champagne at £125 pp
• The Oval Restaurant at The Wellesley, 11 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LY – Special Valentine’s Day offer, three-course menu with a glass of Champagne on arrival and a red Rose £75 pp

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A Romantic Valentine’s Afternoon Tea

Five of the most romantic destinations to enjoy a special Valentines Afternoon Tea

• Palm Court at The Langham, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA – (pictured) offers one of the most idyllic lounges at a stunning Valentine’s tea from £59  
• Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa – New Forest, Hampshire BH25 6QS – offers a ‘Brewing Romance’ afternoon tea inc. glass of Rosé Champagne Taittinger £45 pp – 10th to 17th February
• Cliveden House & Spa – Taplow, Berkshire SL6 0JF – offers a Valentines afternoon tea £37 pp, with Champagne Taittinger £54, or with Champagne Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé £56 pp – from 10th – 17th February
• Great Fosters Hotel, Stroude Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 9UR  – offers a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea menu from the 10th to 18th  February from £30, or with a glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne £42, or Bollinger Rosé £46
• The Promenade at The Dorchester,  53 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA – offers an impressive Valentine’s Champagne Afternoon Tea from 10th to 18th February priced at £70 pp

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Pop the Rose Champagne in a Romantic Setting

Four of the most romantic bars for Valentine’s Day

• The Bar at Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7SE
• The Blue Bar at The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7RL
• Blakes Below Bar, 33 Roland Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 3PF
• The Champagne Room at The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL

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Book a Romantic Night Away in a Four Poster

Five suggestions for hotels with the best four poster bedrooms

• Blakes (pictured), 33 Roland Gardens, London SW7 3PF – is offering two romantic packages for all tastes – Naughty or Nice – which includes overnight stay in luxurious accommodation and full English breakfast in bed with a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée each and the Naughty package has a Kiki de Montparnasse Naughty kit & Karma Sutra book, whilst nice has an Amelia Rope Passionfruit Chocolate Kernels
  Rose petals on the bed and Love Letters of Great Men – book of Poetry – Prices from £411 per room per night
• Lucknam Park, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ – enjoy a Valentine’s stay with tasting menu dinner in Restaurant Hywel Jones, luxury room stay, full English breakfast, half bottle of champagne and a rose in the room and use of the award-winning spa, available on 11th, 14th & 15th February, from £560 per night for two  
• Hartwell House, Oxford Road, Vale of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8NR – enjoy a Valentine’s romantic break from 9th to 17th February  inclusive of a five-course tasting menu and luxury room stay for two,  full English breakfast and use of spa facilities from £348 for two with many add-on romantic options available – to book call 01296 747444
• Cliveden House and Spa, Taplow, Berkshire SL6 0JF – offers a romantic break with rose petals and candles, bottle of chilled champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries and a dozen roses – prices from £325 pp for a Club Room (Sunday to Thursday)
• Stapleford Park Country House Hotel (pictured), Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 2EF – has an amazing Valentines stay offering Champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries in one of their individually designed rooms, glass of Champagne and Canapés before dinner is served, five-course tasting menu, finish your stay with a hearty Full English Breakfast and full use of leisure facilities from £399 for two

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Take A Romantic Bath (don’t forget petals, fragrant oils and candles)

Four romantic suggestions of hotels with the best bathrooms in the UK

• Lympstone Manor (pictured), Courtlands Lane, Exmouth, Devon EX8 3NZ – offers a one night stay for two guests which includes bottle of MC Champagne on arrival, bouquet of dozen red roses, handmade chocolates, The Michael Caines Signature Menu and a gift from them to take away from £820
• Coworth Park, Blacknest Rd, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7SE – offers a Romance package which includes Luxury accommodation for two, English breakfast served in your room, Three-course dinner with a bottle of sommelier’s wine at The Barn and a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut Rosé Champagne and chocolates with your room decorated with rose petals – rates for a Stable Superior Room from £645
• Manor House, Castle Combe, Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 7HX – offers a glass of fizz on arrival, luxury stay and Michelin-starred tasting menu for two from £360 per room
• Seaham Hall, Lord Byron’s Walk, Seaham, County Durham SR7 7AG – offers a luxurious overnight stay based on two people sharing with full access to their award-winning spa facilities from 12 noon on arrival until 12 noon on departure, a  three course dinner in Byron’s restaurant, relaxing 60 minute Couples Massage, champagne in room on arrival, breakfast the next morning from £555
  

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Book A Luxury Room With A View

Four suggestions of hotels with the best views in the UK

• Idle Rocks (pictured), Harbourside, St. Mawes, Cornwall TR2 5AN – offers a pre Valentine’s weekend break (9th, 10th Feb) in a Harbour View Room for two nights, including breakfasts and on the Friday night a two-course meal plus glass of wine and seat in their Hidden Cinema to watch The Royal Ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet, Saturday night includes a six-course tasting menu with local oysters and glass of Cornish bubbles from £390.45 pp
• Holbeck Ghyll, Holbeck Lane, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LU  – offers a three-course dinner, luxury stay with bottle of fizz and luxury box of chocolates in room on arrival, with breakfast for two on February 14th from £400 
• Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, Fort William, Scotland PH33 6SN – offers a special large double room with three-course dinner and Scottish breakfast from £517 
• Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot, Devon PL19 0PQ – Stay for two nights from 9th to 17th February including Champagne and canapés on arrival, a four-course candlelit dinner with wine flight on the evening of your choice and special treats from £550

Cook Your Own Home Romantic Meal With Help From Experts

Four suggestions to cook your own Valentine’s meal to eat at home

• Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons: The Magic of Macarons – Half Day – £185 pp on February 13th
• The Kitchen at Chewton Glen: Cook up your own three-course meal to take home and Chewton will give you a bottle of champagne. £155 pp on February 14th
• The Woodspeen Cookery School: Cupid’s Course – cook your valentine’s meal £210 on February 13th
• Caldesi in Marylebone: St. Valentine’s – Cooking, Wine tasting & Dinner £120 pp on February 14th

Whisk Your Loved One Away Somewhere Remote

Five suggestions of the most luxurious remote hotels in the UK

• Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island, Benderloch, Near Oban, Argyll, Scotland, PA37 1SD – offers a large double with three-course dinner, use of spa facilities and Scottish breakfast from £346.50
• Cottage in the Wood, Holywell Road, Malvern Wells, Worcestershire WR14 4LG – offers a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast one night Valentines offer with five-course gourmet menu from £195 for two
• Airds, Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland PA38 4DF – offers a two night Valentines break away including bottle of Champagne on arrival, box of handmade chocolates, candlelit dinner for two, Scottish breakfast on both days from £504 
• Pale Hall, Pale Estate, Llandderfel, Bala, Wales LL23 7PS – offers a romance package including chocolates, 12 red roses, bottle of MC Blanc de Blanc NV, dinner for two with the a la carte menu and room stay from £505
• Knockinaam Lodge, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, DG9 9AD – offers a two-night package for two people inclusive of wine with both meals, tutored wine tasting, kitchen demonstration, gourmet dinners, full Scottish breakfast, tea or coffee upon arrival, early morning tea and VAT from £730

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Start Your Day With A Romantic Breakfast

If you are not doing breakfast in bed, then here are three of the best breakfast suggestions:

• Lygon Arms (pictured), High St, Broadway WR12 7DU
• The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1X 7TA
• Glade at Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG

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Take A Relaxing Gourmet – Valentines Spa Break

Four suggestions for the best spa breaks for Valentine’s Day

• Cliveden House, (pictured) Taplow Berkshire SL6 0JF: offers a ‘Swept off your Feet’ Valentine’s spa day £350 per couple
• Coworth Park Spa, Blacknest Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7SE – offers a View for Two package from 9th to 18th Feb where couples are treated to 80 minutes of pure pampering – After a soothing lavender and peppermint foot soak and exfoliation, enjoy a head-to-toe massage. Finally, a deeply relaxing scalp and facial massage will ease away tension for a feeling of complete relaxation. You also receive an exclusive Aromatherapy Associates ‘Perfect Partners’ bath and shower gel gift set to enjoy at home. £125 per person (Monday to Thursday) and £140 per person (Friday to Sunday)
• Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa – New Forest, Hampshire BH25 6QS – offers a Spoil me spa day which includes a personalised 45 minute back treatment, an Oskia Rose De Mai Massage Candle to take home, selected refreshments on the day, pool bar buffet, full use of spa and leisure facilities at £300 per couple Monday to Thursday or £320 per couple Friday to Sunday
• Ockenden Manor, Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5LD – offers a spa afternoon including a delicious six-course lunch and glass of Ridgeview Estate in the hotel restaurant upon arrival at 12 noon, afternoon use of our Spa facilities, including indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, hot tub, fitness suite, indoor spa bath, relaxation room, relaxation lounge and choice on one spa treatment each from a selected list, available Monday to Thursday and priced at £250 per couple

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OR FOR THE LAZY LOVER, IF YOU LIVE NEAR BROADWAY IN THE COTSWOLDS…

AND FINALLY …The Lazy Lover – Pizza and Wine to Go … 

If you cannot get to visit The Lygon Arms, High St, Broadway WR12 7DU then enjoy a taste of Valentine’s celebrations in your own home. Enjoy two pizzas and a bottle of wine for just £45. Forget the preparation, simply call on the number below, pop in to collect and then snuggle on the sofa…Call the Lygon Wine Bar,  to order on 01386 854418.

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