What's the recipe for love on Valentine's Day this year?
What's the recipe for love on Valentine's Day this year? PubChef investigates
PUB: The Norway Inn, Perranarworthal, nr Truro, Cornwall
THE CHEF: Alan Poole
COST: £21.50 for three courses, or £18.95 for two.
FROM CUPID'S CUPBOARD: Alan encourages diners not to be shy with a selection of starters including Hot and Steamy, a mix of creamy leek, potato and fresh herb soup; and Aphrodite's Nest, a blend of sun-ripened galia melon, filled with succulent, moist prawns in a thousand island dressing.
Customers can then woo the object of their affection with main courses that include Luscious Lips, a blend of deep-fried Dover sole, stuffed with creamy prawn sauce; and Horny as Hell, a blend of baked, plump, corn-fed chicken breast stuffed with fresh asparagus and cream cheese and wrapped in bacon.
PUB: The Crown Inn, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
THE CHEF: Robin Davies
COST: £24.50 for three courses, or £22 for two
FROM CUPID'S CUPBOARD: The pub is offering its Valentine's menu over two nights to help give love a chance, according to licensee at the Crown Inn, Liz Neilson. "We're going to have the menu on Saturday 12 and Monday 14 February, as the start of the week is not a good time for most people." Starters include the unusual savoury avocado ice cream with rocket and avocado salad, along with more traditional so-called aphrodisiacs like oysters. Main courses feature roast rump of local lamb with port and redcurrant sauce and fillet of whole boned lemon sole, stuffed with Dorset crab mousse. Desserts range from raspberry meringues to orange bread to butter pudding with Grand Marnier.
PUB: The Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire
THE CHEF: Paul Smith
COST: £50 for three courses (including a small bottle of Champagne)
FROM CUPID'S CUPBOARD: The Fountain Inn will encourage diners to get intimate over several shared dishes claims its owner Russell Allen. "We'll be doing a few dishes to share, including moules marinière and sticky toffee pudding. We haven't thought of dish names yet, though I'm sure they'll be very cheesy," he says. Other Valentine's Day highlights include fillet steak wrapped in bacon, rolled in cracked black pepper, topped with pâté and served on potato rösti, with wild mushroom and red wine sauce.
PUB: The Portobello Gold, 95-97 Portobello Road, Notting Hill,London
THE CHEF: David Goodman
COST: £23.50 for three courses
FROM CUPID'S CUPBOARD: Carnal instincts will be given a helping hand by the culinary team at Portobello Gold this Valentine's Day. The menu features foods rumoured to act as an aphrodisiac as well as a selection of Champagnes including Pannier's Rosé. Dishes claiming to offer loin-boosting properties include asparagus in a rosemary cheese and herb sauce and veal cutlets in a green peppercorn and brandy sauce. Love birds able to suppress their amorous instincts until after dessert will be offered a choice that includes banana flambé with Cockspurs rum and cream and strawberry ice cream with chocolate-dipped strawberries and a passion fruit topping.
