But a much better alternative is to eat at home - and we don’t mean a curry in front of Netflix.
Yes, Valentine’s Day might be naff, but the truth is that there is nothing better – or more romantic - than a great dinner at home and Valentine’s Day is as good an excuse as any to press pause on the domestic routine, roll your sleeves up and prepare something a bit special for your beloved.
So here’s our dream Valentine’s menu – not too tricky or high maintenance to cook but seriously delicious, and with a great recommendation for wine too. We’re not hinting or anything.
TO NIBBLE
White Bean Dip by David Lebovitz
This dip is a cut above your average pot of supermarket hummous and can be prepared in advance. Eat it with these epic seeded and spiced crackers from Gail’s Bakery.
STARTER
Salmon Tartare by Mimi Thorisson
Not difficult to make but extremely tasty and will impress. Serve with a crusty French baguette from your local bakery and make sure to buy the best quality salmon you can from your local fishmonger.
MAIN COURSE
Winter pasta with slow cooked kale, squash and raisins from Katie at the Kitchen Door
This is a hearty, healthy and quick to make take on pasta that will suit vegetarians too.
PUDDING
Affogato by Emiko Davies
There is no greater (or easier to make) pudding than affogato, an Italian invention that is simply espresso coffee poured over vanilla ice-cream. Like all Italian cookery, the key is in the quality of ingredients so it’s important to have great coffee and excellent ice-cream.
TO DRINK
If you live in London, place an order on Drop Wine , the on-demand wine delivery app, for a bottle of quality, hand-selected wine. There are over 150 wines on offer and you can filter your choice by colour, price and style and have it delivered within the hour.
Drop co-founder, Will Palmer advises:
“Romantic red tends to be the knee-jerk choice on Valentine’s, but for us a bottle of white Burgundy feels like the way to go. Warming and rich but with that zip and acidity that sidesteps the landmine of falling asleep at the table, as well as posing no risk of stained teeth. The Droin Chablis Premier Cru should hit this particular nail on the head.”
February 2018