As the 14th approaches like a remorseless romance machine we start to think of champagne. Alan Kingsbury finds going for the pink can keep prices down and romance still high
Valentine’s Day Dinners
here are hearts and roses in every store from stationers to bakeries. London loves to celebrate the international day of love, the day you can be excused for random acts of romance. Restaurants across the city are preparing for their biggest night of the year where couples in love dine on aphrodisiac-inspired menus and put away glasses and glasses of bubbly.Now we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t bring you the best places to dine on this all-hallowed eve. So here it is lovers, cast your fluttering eyes on this list of romantical restaurant events in the month of February;
Gü Puds Passionfruit Souffle
Rise to the occasion this February 14th with Gü Passion Soufflés.
Andrew Nutter’s tart recipe
A thoroughly patriotic pastry for St. David’s Day, Andrew Nutter’s scrumptiously sticky tart puts a new spin on the classic Welsh rarebit.
Executive Chef Maurice Fitzgerald of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Al Khayal in Dubai tells us how to make Fried Kibbeh
Executive Chef Maurice Fitzgerald of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Al Khayal in Dubai tells us how to make fried Kibbeh. British soldiers in the Middle East during the Second World War used to call kibbeh “Syrian torpedoes” but you’ll find these will sink any appetite!
Top 5 Bistros in London
This is our Top 5 Bistros in London right here, where the steak and chips are always good, the host is the heart and soul of the room and a good time is always guaranteed.
Copita London
Copita, its name derives from the Spanish for a type of sherry glass, is from the mothership of Barrica in Goodge Street and has berthed further south in Darblay Street, Soho. Its sober frontage doesn’t exactly holler for attention but thankfully neither does it go for the faux craphole look which is now getting very boring.
Hyderabad hokum at Namaaste Kitchen
For some, February is the real cruellest month, what with its Valentine hyperbole, morbid imaginings and Arctic weather. But for others such as Namaaste Kitchen in Camden, February is about celebrating regional Indian cuisine, in this case, that from Hyderabad. And eating is a great antidote for early-year blues.
Fish and Grill and all that jazz
The bar is so new you can still smell freshly-sawn wood but its intimate and cosy. At the far end, two almost horizontally laid-back old blues player are showing how it’s done. ‘I don’t want the music down here to be drowning out conversation, but be behind it,’ Malcolm adds while trying one of his own mini puddings of slow-braised ox cheek.
The Artichoke in Amersham
Most people would consider throwing in the towel if their dream restaurant went up in flames. There’s not many who would rebuild, expand and then win a succession of awards. Laurie and Jacqueline Gear are doing sterling work with The Artichoke