NIGHT MARKET
What could be more romantic on Valentine’s Day than a stroll around a twinkling night market? The first foodPark night market will pop up at Burwash Manor in Barton on the 14th, as part of Burwash Larder’s Love Food weekend. Street food fans can expect the usual high quality street food from foodPark’s traders such as Steak and Honour, Guerrilla Kitchen, and Fired Up Pizza, alongside newbies like Churros Bar, Buffalo Joe’s, and the stunning foodPark BAR serving top tipples and some special Valentine’s aperitifs and nibbles. Warming Your Cockles will also be there with their gourmet hot chocolates and other sweet treats.
The market will stretch throughout the beautiful courtyard, meadows, and secret snugs of Burwash Manor, including plenty of festoons of lights, covered seating, and cosy blankets to fend off the February chills. Live music and DJs will add to the atmosphere, with a mix of vintage romance from the ’50s and electro swing. Guests coming from Cambridge can pre- book transport, to be provided from the city centre and back.
FoodPark organiser Heidi White says: “We’re so thrilled to be working with Burwash Manor, one of our favourite foodie spots and a great supporter of street food, to create our first pop-up night market. It is a beautiful and magical location, and we’ve got an amazing night of street food, drinks, and music lined up!” Find out more on Twitter: @foodPark_cam.
VALENTINE’S DAY THE ITALIAN WAY
A surprise Valentine’s trip to Venice looking unlikely? Suggest a meal at De Luca Cucina & Bar instead. The modern Italian eaterie on Regent Street is offering a special four-course Valentine’s Day menu on 13 and 14 February, featuring several of its signature dishes. And, if you book for Friday evening, you’ll be able to enjoy live music in their Piano Bar, situated in De Luca’s Top Floor Cocktail Bar. Resident piano entertainer Robin P-iano will be performing classic love songs from across the 20th century to set the Valentine’s mood and taking special requests.
The cocktail bar is open to diners for pre- and post-dinner drinks and those who simply want to soak up the ambience over a cocktail or two. The Valentine’s menu costs £35 per person. As well as a selection of starters and main courses, the menu includes a raspberry sorbet with Prosecco and Chambord, and a selection of desserts including a chocolate and raspberry torte.
THE GARDEN KITCHEN
Not a fan of crowded restaurants full of smoochy couples? Can’t face cooking either? The Garden Kitchen – our new favourite Mill Road Café – has come up with a simple yet ingenious solution. On the 14th, you can stop by and pick a starter, main and dessert from their special Valentine’s menu, then take it away with instructions on how to cook and serve once you get home. It’s just £24 for a three-course meal for two, so loads cheaper than going out, and if you just fancy one or two courses those will be individually priced.
The menu will be posted on Twitter a week in advance – see @82gardenkitchen. We’re expecting something along the lines of butternut squash and watercress soup, caramelised red onion and goat’s cheese tarts and veggie lasagne, all freshly prepared using gorgeous local ingredients. Pre-order by calling in to the shop or just pop in on the day. Easy!
www.thegardenkitchencambridge.co.uk
ROMANCING THE WINE
We’ve all heard of speed dating, but this new concept from Cambridge Wine Merchants takes things to a sophisticated new level. Romancing the Wine, taking place at the Cherry Hinton Road branch on 14 February, invites the males to purchase a wine that represents their personality. They’ll then go round the room sharing it with each lady, spending five minutes chatting with each. Girls, you’ll have to decide whether Mr Fun & Fruity or Rich & Exotic is more your type… We’ll stop before we get carried away with the innuendos.
For the £15 ticket price you’ll get a welcome glass of Prosecco, nibbles and 10{b486c5a37ab2d325d17e17d701cb2567b1ecd1814e8ceb33effa2a4f1f171d46} off everything all night – plus, fingers crossed, the man or woman of your dreams! Limited to ten guys and ten gals, so book early if you can.
MEET MARKET
Stylish pub seeks males and female customers for special Valentine’s event… New(ish) pub The Architect on Castle Street is hosting a night of speed dating on 14 February, ready to stir things up a little on the Cambridge dating scene. Arrive for 8pm, cast aside your preconceptions and see what happens with a free cocktail, some great 80s tunes and a roomful of single strangers. Opening at the end of the year where the County Arms used to stand, The Architect serves quality food, craft beers and cocktails in a hip, urban setting. Tickets to the event cost £5 in advance. Go on, why not?
www.thearchitectcambridge.co.uk
THE BLUE LION
We’d recommend The Blue Lion in Hardwick if you fancy getting out of town: it’s a classic country gastropub with a focus on local, seasonal food. Their Valentine’s Menu, which looks delicious, includes four courses for £34.50 per head. Think goat’s cheese pâté with apple and celery, salmon fillet with pesto crust and black cherry parfait with coffee and petit fours to follow.
HANBURY MANOR
Stately Jacobean hotel Hanbury Manor, just down the road near Welwyn Garden City, makes a stunning backdrop for romance with its luxury rooms and fine dining restaurant. Part of the Marriott group, it’s offering two Valentine’s Day packages this February. Sit down to a four-course dinner at their restaurant, Zodiac, and enjoy live music while you dine. This runs 13 and 14 February, tickets £75 per person. Or, spend the night in one of their deluxe rooms where a bottle of champagne, freshly cut Hanbury rose and a spa gift set awaits. This exclusive deal starts at £249 per person to include dinner at the Oakes Grill or £299 for dinner at the Zodiac (13 or 14 February).
www.marriotthanburymanor.co.uk
