Valentine's Day Evening Menu

Aah yes, indeed - Lovers' Day is almost upon us! A day for poetry; romance; confessions of adoration; smiles; kisses... and good food!

Saint Valentine’s Day
The True(?) Story

There are a fair few ideas knocking around as to the “when?” and the “why?” of Valentine’s. The most likeable is the historically plausible story of a Roman called Valentine, who was condemned to death for refusing to give up his Christian faith. He was executed on February 14th 269AD., but not before leaving a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter, with whom he had become ‘good friends’. He signed the letter ‘Your Valentine’.

Other expert historians are convinced that Valentine was a priest under Emperor Claudius II (aka ‘Claudius the Cruel’), who fell out of favour because he defied a decree preventing the marriage of young men – the Emperor wanted single men in his army since they made better soldiers than those with families! Valentine was jailed for life, only to be ‘Sainted’ 500 years later by Pope Gelasius who presumably had records of what had happened (either that, or a very long memory).

There are other stories of how February 14th came to be so celebrated, and they’re all different. But they all have a common theme – and that’s history. Valentine’s Day is old. It’s certainly been celebrated since Roman times, when it was a holiday to Juno, the queen of all Gods and Goddesses (and also the queen of marriage..)

Gradually, whatever the reason, 14/2 became a date for exchanging love messages, and Saint Valentine became synonymous with it.

So take heart, and remember – despite all the commercialism surrounding St Valentine’s Day, you are still celebrating something special which many, many before you have done for thousands of years. And with good reason.

On Valentine's Day, you can set time aside to rejoice in love and romance – and at the same time, others around will be doing the same.

Valentine Dinner Menu 2008
(Valentine Special! De Telmont Champagne £27.50 - Oeil De Perdrix Rosé Champagne - £32.50 !!)

To Begin...
Fresh Homemade Oxtail Soup, with a parmesan-glazed crouton, crusty bread and butter
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A Fabulous Seafood Sharing Platter, with gravadlax, goujons of plaice, grilled langoustines and pan-fried baby scallops, with a selection of dips (2 people)
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Wild Mushroom & Pepper Carbonara
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A Chilled Salad of Smoked Duck and Smoked Chicken Breasts, with pomegranate seeds, mixed leaves and a simple yoghurt dressing

And Then...
Fillet of Pork, wrapped in Parma Ham, served with an apple, brandy & cream sauce
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Baked Steak of Fresh Halibut, topped with slices of ripe tomato, a tomato & basil sauce and herb breadcrumbs
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Prime Bradbury Ribeye Steak, grilled to your liking and served with sauce diane
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Roasted Peppers, stuffed with couscous, sun-blushed tomatoes, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and served with a pesto sauce

(Main courses are, as always, prepared fresh to order, and are accompanied by potatoes Savoyard, chanteray carrots, baby sweetcorn and sugar snap peas)

To Finish!
Profiterôles, or a Selection of Fresh Fruit, ready to be dipped in our chocolate fountain!
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Baked Alaska (for 2 people minimum)
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A Selection of fine cheeses and biscuits

Freshly ground & filtered Arrezzo Coffee, or various teas, with petits fours

£35 per person, or £30 per person for a table of four