Romantic Food and Drink Ideas This Valentine’s Day
We don’t want to break your heart but Valentine’s Day is not the time to start getting quirky with your date ideas. Fact is nothing beats an evening of romance, good food, delicious wine, and maybe a cheeky cocktail or two, for two…leave the escape room for another time and have a scroll instead.
Luckenbooths, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
When the Lady and the Tramp shared a plate of spaghetti, whose heart didn’t skip a beat? Maybe it’s the chefs at Luckenbooths favourite movie as they have created a menu to celebrate Valentine’s (available from Friday 11th until Monday 14th February) where lovers can enjoy a 500g Club steak, specially selected by the Master Butcher from John Gilmour Butchers, cooked to perfection and designed to share. Paired with roast tomatoes, rocket salad and your (agreed) choice of sauce. Wash it all down with a glass of wine each too. All this for just £60 for two. Advance booking is recommended as space is limited.
The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant, Port Appin, Argyll
Fall in love with Argyll's most romantic destination this Valentine's weekend at The Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood Restaurant in Port Appin. Tucked away on shores of Loch Linnhe, the Pierhouse Hotel is the perfect Highland hideaway for two. Get cosy by the wood burning fires before enjoying a very special Valentine's lunch or evening meal in the Pierhouse’s award-winning seafood restaurant, which enjoys breathtaking views towards the islands of Lismore and Mull.
The Three Chimneys, Colbost, Isle of Skye
If you’re seeking a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day, look no further than the Isle of Skye. Secluded, luxurious and welcoming, The Three Chimneys is located at Colbost on Skye’s north-west coast – an ideal place to eat, sleep and retreat. This iconic restaurant with rooms has been at the forefront of the Scottish dining scene for more than 30 years, with menus in the 3 AA Rosette restaurant carefully crafted by head chef, Scott Davies, using the very finest local produce from Skye. Book a room in the House-Over By, and enjoy a romantic dinner in the restaurant overlooking the shores of Loch Dunvegan.
The Waterside, West Kilbride, Ayrshire
For date night dining this Valentine’s Day, look no further than The Waterside, West Kilbride. Part of Ayrshire-based, family-owned SimpsInns’ portfolio, The Waterside is situated on the water’s edge with panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran, and offers a range of luxurious accommodation and dining options.
From 11th to 14th February, guests at The Waterside can enjoy some delicious Valentine’s speciality sharing dishes including ‘Love Starts Here’, ‘Cupid’s Catch seafood sharer’ or ‘Locally Sourced with Love’, all featuring the finest local produce from around Ayrshire such as Girvan scotch beef. For dessert, finish with ‘Be My Sweetheart’ – Baileys white chocolate profiteroles with Chantilly cream and honeycomb crumble.
East Coast Restaurant, Musselburgh, East Lothian
Owned by Carlo and Katia, East Coast is the next chapter for the Crolla family, who have been serving the honest folk of Musselburgh from its venue on North High Street since 1974. Styles may change, but great flavours, family heritage and warm, friendly service remain as important to Katia and Carlo today as they did 47 years ago. Just a short walk from Fisherrow Harbour and Musselburgh beach, East Coast is the ideal foodie venue for couples to enjoy award-winning Scottish fish and seafood near the East Lothian coast.
This Valentine’s Day, East Coast’s is also open on Monday 14th February, offering its famous grilled mixed seafood platter. Perfect for two people to share, this dish includes whole lobster, crab claws, grilled king prawns, grilled Scottish scallops, grilled Scottish langoustine, beer battered king prawns, crisp fried calamari, oyster Rockefeller, Scottish mussels, fries, garlic aioli and lemon. Opt for East Coast’s Rock Oysters, which are served on ice with shallot vinegar & choice of Tabasco sauces; and its popular Oyster Rockefeller is four oven baked oysters with fresh spinach, parmesan & herb crust.
Complement your romantic seafood experience with a bottle of Sea Change Rosé Prosecco. Sea Change protect marine environments from plastic pollution and produce great tasting wine. Their packaging has been minimised on every bottle to reduce waste and, for every bottle sold, a donation is made to marine conservation charities who are actively fighting plastic pollution. Cheers to that!
Prefer to stay at home this February 14th? Braw Liquor Club, a brand-new Scottish start-up, has launched across the UK offering premium cocktails just in time for Valentine’s day.
The luxurious range consists of two pre-blended classic cocktails in a size of your choice, each with a contemporary and Scottish twist and the first of its kind from the West Coast. The cocktails are hand-crafted and sustainably made with ingredients sourced locally. Choose from whisky or gin-based cocktails – a modern twist on the Old Fashioned created using a Scottish Speyside Whisky paired with Sea Tangle from the East Neuk of Fife as well as The Bramble - a blend of fine Scottish Gin from Royal Deeside with lemon squeezed in Cumbernauld, blackberries and with Gooseberry to add sweet and sour notes.
Home by Nico
The lockdown phenomenon of delivered restaurant quality food to cook at home is as popular as ever. One of the pioneers, Home by Nico has a Valentine’s three courses and three sides package complete with wine, designed to fill both your heart and tum!
Start with lobster and prawn tortellini, followed by an aged fillet of beef and complete the meal with a tasty raspberry trifle. £85 for two.
Had enough lovey dovey stuff and fancy getting away with the girls instead? Super stylish, The Drury, has a special ‘Sleep 14 Offer’ where you can book 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and 100% of the facilities, for just 70% of the full rate. We’re talking indulgent beds with crisp white linens, a hot tub, fire-pit, games barn and cinema room all overlooking the Firth of Lorn and the Islands of Mull, Kerrera and Lismore. Who wouldn’t love that?