According to CBC News, Chocolate came to the old world from Mexico too late for Saint Valentine to ever taste the fine aphrodisiac, but the beloved sweet is so powerful that over the years it has been used for currency and even caused a few bloody battles when it was outlawed. Our modern day Valentines feel absolutely cheated if they aren’t honoured with the finest chocolate available on this special day. And Luxury Belgian chocolate company, Galler, is here to help you stay out of the dog house. Previously only available at Harrods, you can now purchase products online and have them delivered straight to your door. With sexy presentations ranging from gift boxes that look like corsets to inseperable hearts flavoured to blend into exquisite pleasure this just might be your ticket to a night of love.
Dazzle them with six-courses, diamonds, a weekend away or even a cooking class
London area businesses have put on their creativity caps to design a playground of choices for you this Valentine season. Create the perfect surprise for that special someone with a six-course meal, Thames cruise, overnighter in a rustic cottage, or weekend away in the Lake District. If you’ re feeling a bit worn out from holiday shopping, let the experts help you create a romantic package full of memories.
Meeting the Family at Spaghetti House
Spaghetti House has been a family run business for over fifty years. If you would like to see how the menu is being developed for the chain of restaurants, you can check out their website at www.spaghettihouse.co.uk to see what is on offer now to tempt you. A number of the newly developed dishes will be available as ‘specials’ from next week and the fully revised menu will be in place by the end of February, after Franco Taruschio has approved content of the menu and the quality of the new creation
Three wishes with three dishes menu to celebrate Chinese New Year at Kai
It’s Chinese New Year 2009 and to celebrate the Year of the Ox, multi award-winning Kai Mayfair, one of the capital’s favourite Chinese restaurants, is serving up an unmissable treat for the celebrations. The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work; a fitting association in the current climate. To fit in with this theme, Kai has created a special New Year treat -‘Three Dishes with Three Wishes’ – that it has aptly named ‘Good Fortune’, ‘Long Life’ and ‘Prosperity’.
Fruisana recipe of the month Chocolate Almond Cake
After the excesses of the festive period, and the general cutting back on rich food during January, we start to regain our appetite for the occasional treat. Here from the Fruisana Kitchen is a quick and easy recipe which uses store cupboard ingredients.
Chocolate is always a favourite and this delicious cake, with its soft, rich, gooey centre makes a perfect dessert perhaps for Valentine’s Day?
Spice up Valentines day with Thorntons new limited edition chocolate block
Thorntons have added to their hugely successful range of Chocolate Blocks with a limited edition honey & chilli bar launched for Valentines Day. If you fancy spicing things up on the most romantic day of the year then the chilli chocolate block in its colourful packaging is ideal. The fruity overtones of the intense, single origin 66% Mexican dark chocolate, perfectly complement the subtle warmth of the real chilli infusion.
A pearl of a feast at Moti Mahal
Moti Mahal, in the heart of Covent Garden, is offering love birds an Indian feast fit for Gods and Goddesses. Head Chef Ani’s recipes are derived by fusing styles and flavours from many different regions of India. For Valentine’s Day, Chef Ani has created a set menu, with the cuisine plated and displayed in European style.
Moti Mahal’s Golden Kiss
Come fall in love with Moti Mahal’s Golden Kiss Cocktail. On 13 and 14 February 2009, Moti Mahal, the chic Indian restaurant located in the heart of Covent Garden, will be offering the deliciously romantic cocktail. The cocktail is a floating vision of romance, as it will turn guests’ lips gold after sipping. The Golden Kiss Cocktail, priced at £9 each, is an innovative love birds special. It will combine Rémi Martin Coeur de Cognac, Chambord and rose syrup, shaken with fresh cranberry juice, lemon juice and gold flakes, and garnished with rose petals and golden passion fruit caviar pearls.
Veggie Valentines will find a feast at Tibits
Tibits, the vegetarian restaurant in Heddon Street and Westfield is quickly becoming a capital favourite for the energetic, bright-eyed, healthy crowd. To make sure vegetarian lovers have a romantic place to dine on Valentine’s day, Tibits is offering a set price menu including one bottle of Prosecco, one plate of lovely food, a dessert and coffee for £50 for two.
Want to do it up right on Valentine’s? Stay all night!
This Valentine’s Day, whether it’s with a spouse, a lover or an exciting new fling, Bonds Restaurant in the 5* boutique hotel, Threadneedles, is opening its doors for the first time on a Saturday with a specially created three-course menu for just £45 per person*. Start with ravioli of ‘native blue’ lobster with Armagnac bisque, followed by slow cooked ‘Pyrenees’ pork belly with pearl barley and chorizo ‘like risotto’ and caramelised onions and finish with warm chocolate pudding with peanut butter ice cream. For a real surprise, the full Romance Package costs £160 per person (an extra £115pp).