Best restaurants for Valentine's Day
The countdown to the soppiest day of the year has begun so if you're looking for somewhere to go all doe-eyed and play footsie under the table visit one of these restaurants where romance is always in the air...
Andrew Edmunds
46 Lexington Street, W1S. Tel: 020 7437 5708
This intimate candlelit Soho townhouse is modest in size but has a big following among London diners. The food is superior peasant fare: simple, hearty and fairly priced, yet perfectly pitched and cooked with aplomb and is complemented by the unusual yet reasonably-priced wine list.
Richard Corrigan
Lindsay House, 21 Romilly Street, W1. Tel: 020-7439 0450
The dining rooms on the two floors of this slightly ramshackle Georgian terrace house have a romantic air. Chef Richard Corrigan takes a full-on approach to food and the Irishman can charm the last soupçon of flavour out of the strictly seasonal ingredients he espouses.
Momo
25, Heddon Street W1B. Tel: 020 7434 4040
A combination of French and North African influences combine to create a memorable cultural hybrid at this sexy restaurant. With its ultrasoft lighting and hypnotic, drug-fuelled music it looks like a harem designed for a rich rug merchant and diners are regularly entertained by troupes of belly dancers.
Les Trois Garcons
1 Club Row, London E1. Tel: 020 7613 1924
This East End fashion and art-world favourite oozes decadence and is a glorious riot of stuffed animals, diamante, crystal chandeliers and idiosyncratic touches. Chains of cut glass dangle from the ceiling; coronets adorn the bar and cut-glass globes top the newel posts. Guaranteed to impress any date.
La Poule au Pot
231 Ebury Street, SW1. Tel: 020 7730 7763
There is an atmosphere of charged intimacy at this well-known French restaurant. Ensconce yourself in a rustic, candlelit bower and trill 'ooh-la-la' as you consume a little more than you should of the giant bottles of house wine.
Axis
One Aldwych, WC2. Tel: 020 7300 0300
The Health Club at this hotel offers an "Ultimate Spa Experience" for couples (£250 for 105 minutes), after which you may well be ready for St Valentine's dinner in Axis - three courses for £65pp ex-drinks. Charles Campion
Mews of Mayfair
10-11 Lancashire Court, W1. Tel: 020 7518 9388
There are two Valentine's night menus at this fashionable hideaway. The expensive one includes oysters, Dublin Bay prawns, truffles, Dover Sole, foie gras, and lobster. £95 or £65pp ex-drinks. Charles Campion
