Valentine’s Weekend in London

It’s Valentine’s weekend and Cupid has his arrows at the ready, making it the one day of the year where Londoners are happy to be assaulted by a chubby child carrying serious weaponry.

There are a fair number of events going on in the capital this weekend, with restaurants offering special deals and laying on romantic meals, and The London Word selects the places that go that bit further than putting a plastic red rose on a table and dimming the lights.

Love stories…
Our round-up of the city’s romantic events starts on Valentine’s Day eve at the Andaz Hotel. Academic and author Evie Salmon brings together people’s love stories, whether they be an affirmation of love’s potency or a tale detailing the embarrassment and desolation of a failed romance. You’re welcome to bring along your own story or simply listen to others whilst enjoying champagne and canapés, all for a tenner.
Saturday 13 February at Andaz Hotel, 40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN. Tel: 0207 618 7000

For the men…
Running through the weekend is a pop-up courtship clinic in Soho. If you’re not sure about how to woo a lady, you’ll be given the ways by which to sharpen up your pulling power. All this is provided along with free samples of Hendricks gin and tonic.
Pop-up courtship clinic, 47 Rupert Street, Soho W1D 7PN

Wining and dining…
Moving on to the day itself, there are plenty of good offers and the choice is not just restricted to restaurants. Top wine shop Vinopolis has a Valentine’s tour at £25 per ticket. This includes live flamenco dancing along with sparkling wine tasting, cocktails and tapas.
Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1 9BU. Tel: 020 7940 8320

All aboard…
For those keen on a musical bent, take a trip down the Thames on the restaurant ship The Hispaniola which is offering a three-course lunch or dinner at £30 and £48 respectively.
The Hispaniola, Victoria Embankment, Charing Cross WC2N 5DJ. Tel: 020 7839 3011

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…
If you’re looking to make a big deal out of the day, The Capital is offering a four-course meal at £125 per person and to round it all off in style, stop off at Gilgamesh in Camden and sip on their Diamonds Are Forever cocktail. Although each one will set you back £10, one lucky drinker will find a £600 diamond at the bottom of their glass.
The Capital Hotel, 22 Basil Street SW3 1AT. Tel: 020 7589 5171
Gilgamesh, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd NW1 8AH. Tel: 020 7482 5757

We also recognise that in these straightened times, staying in might be the preferred option. To give you a helping hand in the kitchen, we’ve got top London chef Patrick Drake to make a video showing you how to make a perfect Valentine’s Day meal.

www.dinnerwithpatrick.com

Image by Theogeo courtesy of Flickr