Stuck on what to do for Valentines? Never fear. We pick out the top five most romantic restaurants for Sybarites. Choose from a dinner with a view, pre-theater dining or a post-romantic stroll on Primrose hill option, our guide caters to every taste.
Duck & Waffle
Looking out at the city of London 40 floors high, Duck & Waffle offers a playful take on traditional British cuisine with broad European influences emphasising local, rustic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Dishes are designed for sampling and sharing and are complemented by an iconoclastic cocktail experience served in a vibrant atmosphere that welcomes guests 24/7, serving from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again — and every hour in between. Designed by award-winning architects CetraRuddy, the restaurant features include a 24 seat “inside out” bar and a bustling open kitchen.
https://duckandwaffle.com
Clos Maggiore
Voted most romantic restaurant in London four years running, Clos Maggiore is an oasis of calm in the heart of Covent Garden. Influenced by the stylish country inns of Provence and Tuscany the unique interiors create an unparalleled warmth and intimacy. The cherry blossomed adorned conservatory features a fully retractable glass roof creating a bright and airy dining space in summer months and in winter months it is transformed at night by candles, starlight and a crackling fire. Chef Marcellin Marc’s love of Provencal cuisine is recreated with individual style and flair. Marcellin is committed to sourcing local and seasonal products throughout the year to create perfectly balanced menus which have consistently been recognised and awarded with AA-rosette awards.
http://www.closmaggiore.com/
J Sheekey
For a pre-theater dining option, look no further than J Sheekey’s. Tucked away on St Martin’s Court between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, J Sheekey is an iconic London restaurant which has been serving the finest fish and shellfish for over 100 years. Tables look on to the elegant oyster and Champagne bar with the full à la carte menu being served throughout the day from 12 noon. The restaurant is a stone’s throw from many of the vibrant quarters of Soho. The National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, St-Martin-in-the-Fields and the cinemas of Leicester Square are just around the corner. The Royal Opera House and Coliseum, Palace Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Wyndham’s, Duke of York’s and Noel Coward Theatres are close by, making the theatre restaurant perfect for pre- and post-theatre dining.
Blanchette Soho
For a night in Soho, check out Blanchette Soho. A French bistro serving simple, classic and inventive French food. The concept is based on the idea of sharing, from smaller snacks such as Croque Monsieur, Crispy frog’s legs, charcuterie and cheese, to larger traditional dishes with a Blanchette twist. A fine selection of drinks, including a variety of French wines and classic cocktails, are also available. Founded in 2013 by brothers Maxime, Malik and Yannis, the quintessentially Parisian restaurant is named after their mother. Maxime and Yannis have, between them, almost 30 years of experience in hospitality having worked in top restaurants across London, New York and Paris. Music also plays a big part at Blanchette, with Malik, founder of sound design company La Musique du Faubourg, providing the soundtrack to ensure a buzzing and convivial atmosphere.
http://www.blanchettesoho.co.uk/
Odette’s
After a romantic stroll on Primrose Hill, go to Odette’s. Run and owned by Chef Patron Bryn Williams, originally from Denbigh, North Wales, has been recognized as an iconic neighborhood restaurant, attracting illustrious patrons from the worlds of art and theatre for over three decades. It is one of the London’s original dining rooms, having opened in 1978. It has 60 covers, a kitchen table seating 6 and a private dining room for 10. Alfresco summer garden and outdoor terraced seating area for the sunnier times.
http://odettesprimrosehill.com/
