CityBird On Valentine's Day

Hola, it’s the worst day of the year in a little under two weeks. No, it’s not the day after bonus day – it’s Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as over-commercialised day of stress and disappointment. Thankfully the City has come to the rescue with some decent restaurant offers (if you really HAVE to wine and dine the ball and chain) as well as some decent happy hours, to drink away the pain of being single for another year. I digress… 

Proud Cabaret, Tower Hill – The City’s premium cabaret venue is hosting a ‘make love not war’ supperclub night, with cava on arrival and a romantic sharing plate. Next…

Cinnamon Kitchen, Devonshire Square – I seem to mention this place almost as much as I do Abacus (with good reason). The modern Indian joint is serving up a four-course dinner with a complimentary cocktail, ideal for loved-up City types.

Volupté, Chancery Lane – Cabaret is again on the menu at Volupté, where there’s a Blitz-themed evening going down, complete with men in uniform. Get your best war-time face on to welcome home the soldiers with a three-course dinner and the club’s traditional cocktails served in teapots. Gives ‘V Day’ a whole new meaning…

Coq D’Argent, Bank – Once known for its suicide roof terrace, now known for its love menu: the vertiginous restaurant is welcoming guests with a £60 menu including foie gras and salt marsh lamb. 

Carluccio’s, Smithfield/Spitalfields – The love extends all week at the Italian chain, with a special three-course menu on offer. For those that (and I quote) ‘want a more intimate affair at home’, there’s a take-away hamper filled with romantic treats. Just don’t get stuck on the Northern Line with it.

Searcy’s, One New Change – Take your better half (or single mate) to this classy champagne bar for a bottle of Lanson Rose and strawberry champagne truffles. At only £25 a head, it won’t break the bank.

Now for the anti-Valentine’s night. While sadly none of these are doing anything specific, I can personally recommend them all for getting down and dirty with Kev from IT.

• Abacus, Bank
• Pause, Leadenhall Street
• Slug & Lettuce, Fenchurch Street
• Agenda, Fenchurch Street
• The Jamaica Wine House, Bank
• The Globe, Moorgate
• Mary Janes, Aldgate
• Dirty Dicks, Liverpool Street (just for the name alone, plus there’s sometimes sad single karaoke).