Don’t leave it to the last minute! Think ahead to Valentine’s Day this year and make a big impression. Here are out Top Picks to make sure love is in the air on February 14!
- Yurt, North Aston. Indulge your loved one with this unique one-off dining experience which kicks off at 7.15pm with a glass of prosecco and canapes followed by a three-course seasonal supper for £48 per person. Think beetroot cured Uig Lodge smoked salmon, mustard seed pickled cucumber, oyster emulsion, tempura crab beignet and avruga for starter, the seared Longhorn beef bavette steak, bourguignonne sauce, creamed celeriac and charred hispi cabbage for mains and Yorkshire forced rhubarb semifreddo, blood orange curd, burnt white chocolate, meringue and Ukrainian honey for pud. Book at https://ticketpass.org/event/EBSCWM/valentines-supper-at-the-yurt
2) The Duke, Woodstock. Head chef Alan Dann has created some delicious specials for a perfect romantic dinner in this historic pub. From sirloin of Hereford beef with stuffed rosti chips to a bream and salmon wellington and a classic chocolate fondant to finish, it’s got it all. Plus it has rooms for anyone who fancies a night away? https://www.dukeofmarlborough.co.uk/menu/
3) Plough, West Hanney. Tuck into five courses courtesy of head chef Luke Mayor. Kick off with tear and share bread with bacon jam, then a celeriac veloute with a pancetta crumb, a home cured salmon, ajoblanco, coriander pesto, brown butter and almonds. Venison with a korma sauce, pickled red cabbage, crispy kale and a tandoori venison roti comes next. Chocolate mousse filled doughnuts, strawberry jelly and a strawberry and mint salad. The vegetarian alternative is equally enticing. £60 per person. https://theploughathanney.co.uk/event/valentines-day/
4) Gusto, Oxford High Street. Try somewhere new and head off to the recently refurbished Gusto Restaurant in the former Mitre pub for a lovely sharing plate menu and some sumptuous cocktails. Three courses for two for £50 per person includes an antipasti sharing board, a splendid 450g chateaubriand and then biscoff and chocolate dough petals with Madagascan vanilla ice cream and fresh berries to finish. Or book the pizza experience and make your own supper to break the ice! https://gustorestaurants.uk.com/app/uploads/2023/01/4159b-ValMenu_Final_Screen_B-1.pdf
5) The Mole Inn, Toot Baldon – win a meal for two at this gourmet Oxfordshire pub in our exclusive competition. Three courses and a bottle of house wine is up for grabs to celebrate new head chef Dave Phillips taking over the kitchens there. enter here Or book for lunch (the evening is already fully booked) and enjoy an amuse bouche of Jerusalem artichoke veloute and truffle oil with homemade bread and whipped salted butter. Then Cornish crab linguine for starters or slow cooked blade of beef with creamy mash, savoy cabbage and Roscoff onions, followed by creme brulee with raspberry gel and shortbread, and petit fours or chocolate truffles. https://www.themoleinn.com/events
6) Back Lane, Woodstock is offering a select sharing Valentine’s menu of classics with a twist such as ‘surf and turf’ (18 hour braised Hereford short rib, miso glazed tiger prawns, fennel slaw, confit potato, roasted cauliflower and a Bearnaise sauce) or the cinnamon sugar churros with 70% dark chocolate creme, raspberry brûlée, dulce de leech and hazelnuts to get you in the mood. https://backlanetavern.co.uk
7) If you haven’t tried Pindys Samosas yet, then now is the time. Yes, you can order a box of heart shaped samosas, both savoury and sweet which are hand made in Oxfordshire and delivered to your door. Order 5, 8,12 or 24 and enjoy the mix of spiced potatoes and peas, delicately wrapped in home-made crispy pastry or mix and match with a new range of sweet samosas. Choose from: Biscoff, chocolate or mince pies. https://pindys.com
8) The Swan at Islip. If you can’t do Feb 14, then book a table at the recently opened Swan on Feb 15, which is running its impressive menu over two nights and includes a glass of bubbles. Sample some delicious amuse bouche, then lamb rump, brown butter salmon, a salted caramel dessert and a great vegetarian alternative. It’s £85 per person. https://swaninnislip.co.uk/menus/
9) Lynrace, Jericho – The quickest way to impress someone? Take them to Jericho’s new cocktail bar, which is not only sexy, sleek and sophisticated as hell but the cocktails are novel, clean, fresh and absolutely delicious. Thank me later. https://lynrace.com
10) Five Little Pigs, Wallingford, is going to town with a fun Valentine’s menu of three starters, three mains and three puds to choose from for £50 per person. Pork croquette with black pudding, apple and vanilla, a savoury pancake with cavil Nero pesto and butternut squash or doughnuts with orange curd and vanilla? Thought so. https://www.fivelittlepigs.co.uk
11) Damascus Rose Kitchen, Old Fire Station Cafe, Oxford – Don’t want to make a big fuss but fancy snaking off for a tasty lunch? Want to give something back? Go for lunch at this charming social enterprise cafe where the Middle Eastern food is made by Syrian refugees which means it’s the real deal and made with love. Open Tuesday to Saturday (10-3pm). https://oldfirestation.org.uk/cafe/
12) The Chequers, Witney. Traffic light disco. Singles get a green wristband, amber means it’s complicated and red is a big no! Dance the night away to some proper cheese tracks and maybe romance will come your way! Saturday Feb 11 from 9pm-1pm. https://chequers-witney.com/visit
13) Tap Social Taproom, Botley – Zero stress speed dating. Join Mistress Lulu for a night of silliness, chinwags, cheeky tipples, party games and a soul train dance-off. Tickets are just £5. https://www.tapsocialmovement.com
14) The Old Crown, Faringdon. Go totally over the top and book the five or nine course tasting menu running from February 14-18. And with head chef Samuel Squires cooking for you, it will be a feast on an epic scale. https://www.theoldcrowncoachinginn.com/food-drink
