Heating Up Valentine’s Night

AS you won’t be able to get a restaurant table worth having on Valentine’s night unless you booked last week (or last month), here is Confidential’s fantasy supper to woo your partner. You may need to hire a limo and a driver to get you around…

18.30 Head to Columbia Road’s Brawn (49 Columbia Road, City of London E2 7RG) for a few tapas. Try the steamed Dorset clams in virgin oil and lemon and maybe some Jesus de Lyon sausage to start the night.

19.15 Then, so as not to miss out, pop into the 10 Bells (84 Commercial Street, London E1 6LY) to say hello to the Young Turks. Sample their smoked eel sandwich and the duck hearts with celeriac.

20.00 Follow that with another new boy on the block Dabbous (39 Whitfield Street, London W1T 2SF) for some pyrotechnics like the coddled hen's egg with mushrooms and smoked butter served up in the eggshell or maybe for a bit of reassurance his creamy mash topped with shaved truffles with Sunday lunch roasting juices. 

21.00 There should be time enough for a quick interlude at Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental (66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA) for some finger food such as the grilled tiger prawns, garlic and parsley or for a different take on the mash, the truffled white sausage with mashed potato and apples.

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22.00 Then dash across Hyde Park to 34 (34 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HD) for the hamburger with foie gras for a little protein…

22.30 …before a visit to the dessert bar at the Pollen Street Social Club (8 Pollen Street, London W1S 1NQ) to watch your confection being constructed before you and finally a nightcap at Burger & Lobster (29 Clarges Street, London W1J 7EF) to mix with the in-crowd (or at least those who have not stayed at home) with a bottle of Prosecco and some oak smoked salmon.