Bristol Valentine's Day Guide 2017
Posted on: 03 Feb 2017The traditional celebration of the Feast of Saint Valentine occurs annually on February 14th, a date which strikes fear into the heart of the unorganised lover year after year. With restaurants booking up months in advance, Valentine’s Day can often offer more logistical stress that it is worth to the poorly-prepared lothario - but it doesn’t have to be so. Below we have compiled our recommendations for how to best celebrate the big day.
The Harbour Hotel
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Encompassing both a spa and the widely-revered Jetty restaurant, The Harbour Hotel offers the unique opportunity to both restore and stimulate the senses respectively. An oasis of calm in amongst the bustle of central Bristol, this urban retreat is the prime place for a properly decadent Valentine’s treat. They are offering a special romantic getaway package with an overnight stay including dinner at the Jetty.
The Mint Room
For a mighty fine slice of Asian dining this Valentine’s Day, head to The Mint Room on Clifton Road. With an ethos which strives to redefine Indian cuisine, the restaurant is sophisticated in its approach and accomplished in its execution. A cut above your average curry house, The Mint Room will inject a stunning spot of spice into any lascivious encounter.
Côte Brasserie
"Grab your Côte, you've pulled!" The good folks at the Côte Brasserie, which occupies pride of place in the Clifton Village, are on hand to take excellent care of the lucky couples to whom this classic line applies. Their special Valentine's offer includes three courses of the chef's favourite dishes and a kir royale upon arrival, all for a price that you can't help but fall in love with.
The Swan, Almondsbury
Much like its avian namesake, love is in the air at The Swan. Overlooking soaring views of the Severn Estuary, the hotel is in possession of the aesthetics to match its excellent culinary output. Combine these assets and it represents the ideal Valentine’s destination. Check out their menus here. A 3 course menu follwed by a comedy night is on the cards.
The Rummer Hotel
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That The Rummer has to expressly purport to not be one of Bristol’s famed speak-easy cocktail bars (“No sir, we are not a secret, door bell, prohibition bar. Unconventionally for Bristol, the door is unlocked when we are open, and locked when we are closed,” reads a blog post on their website) is testament to its quality, which is usually attributed to these establishments. This no-nonsense, gimmick-free approach allows a higher importance to be placed on their produce - this, plus its Old City location, make it the ideal destination for a romantic dinner and gin tasting.
Koh Thai
They're feeling the love this year at Koh Thai, one of Bristol's favourite tapas bars, where their Valentine's Day spectacular has us weak at the knees. Its perfect situation on the Clifton Triangle means that the restaurant can be at the very heart of your evening, and with the offer of their specially-priced three course dinner (complete with flowers and chocolates) this is definitely a good thing.
Urban Tandoor
If you are wanting things to get hot and heavy come the 14th, then Urban Tandoor has to be at the top of your list. With a list of accolades as long as its extensive menu (including the receipt of the Good Food Award for 2015, 2016 and 2017) that has confirmed our suspicion that this is one of Bristol’s best curry houses, why not give it a go for a Valentine’s with a difference?
The Boardroom
The Board Room is all about sharing which, in essence, is what Valentine’s Day is about. Specialising in boards of cured meats and cheeses over which even the coyest hands can’t help but touch, the restaurant is the ideal spot for securing your own Lady and the Tramp moment, with a strong selection of wines to help it along.
L’Osteria
The newest addition to Cabot Circus’ thriving culinary scene is all about keeping it old-school: modelling itself on a traditional Italian osteria. It would be rude not to celebrate the feast of St Valentine with the cuisine of his native Italy, so channel the spirit of the Eternal City a week on Tuesday in the pursuit your own ever-lasting love.
Article by:
An ardent Geordie minus the accent, Sam seemingly strove to get as far away from the Toon as possible, as soon as university beckoned. Three undergraduate years at UoB were more than ample time for Bristol (as it inevitably does) to get under his skin, and so here he remains: reporting, as Assistant Editor, on the cultural happenings which so infatuated him with the city. Catch him at sam@365bristol.com.
