A last-minute greedy guide to Valentine’s.
Roses are red, violets are blue, holy hell it’s Valentines, what shall I do…
Let’s not lie to ourselves, about 70% of us will end up at Clinton’s on Saturday squabbling over the last card. But fear not if you haven’t booked anything, because I’ve put together the perfect guide to a (well ventilated) greedy day out in London.
Breakfast: Breakfast in bed? Pfffffffft, nothing but crumbs and mess. Valentine’s Day actually originated in medieval Gujarat, not in the West, so I would highly recommend going to Dishoom, London’s local Bombay cafe. The bacon naan roll – it’s a bacon roll but not as we know it – is truly something special. Smoky streaky Ginger Pig bacon that has been dry-cured for five days with rock salt and Demerara sugar then cold-smoked over oak chips is wrapped in fresh naan bread with cream cheese, coriander and chili jam. Trust me when I say that I would take it over the British equivalent any day. Don’t forget to order chai too. It’s bottomless until 12 and it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, if you aren’t already…
Lunch: Head to Chiquito. Earlier this month Chiquito’s launched its new menu which includes small plates so you can try a bit of everything. You can also share the dishes which makes it just that little bit more intimate and definitely breaks the ice if it’s a first date. Dishes include spicy chicken crispy tacos and a five bean tortilla stack, so there is something for everyone. There’s a special Valentines menu which has definitely won my heart over!
Dinner: Want to be a bit cheesy on Valentine’s, literally? Head to Franco Manca for dinner. It doesn’t take bookings so it’s first come first serve. The pizzas are made in the traditional Neapolitan style, which means that there are strict rules governing the ingredients and cooking style. The ingredients are fresh and sourced from across Europe, the sourdough is carefully kneaded and left to rise for 20 hours, and finally the pizzas are cooked in a wood burning brick oven for 40 seconds. The menu consists of six carefully crafted pizzas, and to make it extra special they are offering heart shaped pizzas for Valentine’s. Awww.