Who said that the perfect romantic Valentine’s day should be spent in Paris? Discover all our tips on how to enjoy a French Valentine’s day right here in London without having to worry about the state of the pound.

 

 

La Trouvaille

No need to bankrupt yourself to please your lovely Valentine: La Trouvaille, a quaint French restaurant located in Soho, will offer you a special Valentine’s menu for only £50! And the low price does not mean low quality! Foie Gras, fried scallops with cauliflower mash, fillet of beef with ceps mushrooms, exotic fruits with their chocolate sauce… It sounds delicious, doesn’t it? The final touch: the food is either free-range or organic. I’m sure your tender friend will appreciate your concerns about the environment!

Valentine's Day special menu: 4 courses for £50, inclusive a glass of champagne

Location: 12a Newburgh, Soho, London, W1F 7RR

Tel:  020 7287 8488

Website: http://www.latrouvaille.co.uk/latrouvaille/ 

 

 

Hélène Darroze at the Connaught

If you want to really impress your Valentine and show her/him that nothing is too expensive for her/his wonderful eyes, you should go to the Connaught. With Hélène Darroze, one of the French most distinguished chefs, in control of the kitchen; you can be sure to have amazingly nice and fine food. For this most special of days, she has concocted a wonderful 7-course menu, including for instance a tartare of Scottish scallops, ravioli of duck foie gras from Les Landes, lamb from Les Pyrénées roasted with a truffle crust, and Madong chocolate cream.  

Valentine's Day special menu: 7 courses for £180, including half a bottle of Ruinart Rosé Champagne per guest.

Location: Carlos Place, London W1

Tel: 020 3147 7200

Website: http://www.the-connaught.co.uk/london_restaurant.aspx 

 

Le Belvédère

British or French food on Valentine’s Day? That can be a hard issue, especially for a mixed couple. But struggling about the choice of the restaurant on such an occasion would be a shame. So, you should perhaps opt for Le Belvédère, a gorgeous venue located at the heart of Holland Park. Its chef, Billy Reid, offers you a delicious 6-course menu of fine British food with delicious French twists.  enjoy the You would be hard to please indeed if the foie gras, the fillet sea bass with sevruga caviar, or the lobster with garlic butter didn't tickle your taste buds...

Valentine's Day special menu: 6 courses for £75

Location: Abbotsbury Road, Holland Park, London W8 6LU

Tel: 020 7602 1238

Website: http://www.belvedererestaurant.co.uk/index.htm 

 

The Ledbury

With its endless glowing reviews and its mountains of awards, the Ledbury is surely a safe bet for the romantic dinner you have planned with your Valentine. Chef Brett Graham  perfectly speaks the language of haute cuisine: complicated and original concoctions on artfully arranged plates with intense and delicate flavours. I’ll just give you a foretaste of the special menu you’ll be able to enjoy on Valentine’s day: raviolo of chicken and foie gras, loin of lamb roasted in balsamic, buttermilk panacotta with green apple… Already drooling? So book quickly!  

Valentine's Day special menu: Tasting menu for £100 per person, £140 with wines

Location: 127 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AQ

Tel: 020 7792 9090

Website: http://www.theledbury.com/ 

 

Orrery Restaurant

If you want to taste some true French cuisine on the 14 February, The Orrery is just the place for you. Head Chef Igor Tymchyshyn and Manger Ismael Nuha invite you to savour wonderful dishes such qs the roast sea scallops with cep velouté, veal medallion with foie gras à la grand-mère and sauce Périgourdine, or deliciously romantic layered chocolate fondant. With the elegant décor, gorgeous views, and perhaps a drink at the intimate bar, Orrery will make your Valentine's Day a night to remember.

Valentine's Day special menu: £85 per person, £125 including Sommelier wine pairings

Location: 55 Marylebone High Street, London W1 U 5RB

Tel: 020 7616 8000

Website: http://www.orreryrestaurant.co.uk/restaurants/orrery/home 

 

Brasserie Roux

Nothing is better after a romantic Valentine’s dinner than a good play. So, you should perhaps go for a restaurant in theatre land! I would recommend Brasserie Roux, located at Sofitel St James Hotel. Inspired by the notorious French Chef Albert Roux it offers classic French brasserie cuisine at a very reasonable price. Its special menu for the lovers is traditional but effective: poached oysters, foie gras, lobster, beef fillet, mille feuille of chocolate… And to make the mood more romantic, your dinner will be accompanied by live jazz.

Valentine's Day Special Menu: 6 courses for £95 (inclusive VAT and service charges) 

Location: 8 Pall Mall, SW1 Y 5NG

Tel: 020 7968 2900

Website: http://www.sofitelstjames.com/brasserieroux/brasserieroux.html

 

 

And what about a French present?

Of course, Valentine’s day would not be the same without a card and a present from your dearest Valentine. Here are our suggestions:

 

   - LaDurée: www.laduree.fr/public_fr/actualites/actualites_stvalentin08.html

 

   - La Maison du Chocolat:  www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/commerce/en/GB/GB/accueil.php

 

   - Patisserie Valerie offers a hand decorated Chocolate Boxes and gift wrapped chocolate hearts : www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/confectionary

   - Lingerie is always a present for him and her. You will find some online:

www.corsets-lingerie.co.uk
www.agentprovocateur.com/valentines.html

 

 

Organize your own French Valentine's day 

The nicest glasses in the house
 
Some soft music

For starters:

Smoked salmon and toast or foie gras

Main course

Fillet mignon steak with green beans and sautéed potatoes

Dessert
 
Chocolate Fondue from the Anysetiers du Roy served with whole strawberries
or
Pomme d'amour