Hi all, I hope you’re all doing well on this chilly Friday. Thank you to those who entered the Shakin’ It Milkshake giveaway. Massive congratulations to the winners, who have been notified via email, your vouchers are winging their way over to you as we speak. Just a polite reminder, if you want to treat your sweetheart to a gorgeous milkshake, Shakin’ It are also doing a cool, romantic milkshake. Do hop on over to their ab fab milkshake bar in the Intu Derby, their website is here.

So, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, what have you got planned? I’m torn between wanting to cook a nice romantic meal to enjoy in our cosy flat with The Dude, or to check out one of the gorgeous menus that I’ve spotted on my travels.

Here are some of my favourite eateries on my foodie radar, that you may want to look up for the big day. With less than 48 hours away, these places have a tendency to get booked up, so if you are eating out, please do make sure to make a reservation as soon as you can. Due to my website being a little erratic, I’m unable to upload some .pdf menus, sorry about that. Where this is the case, I’ve mentioned a few choice dishes off the Valentine’s Day menu, I hope this is ok for all you discerning diners out there. Without further ado, here are the places I recommend you to be on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy.

Le Bistrot Pierre

One of my hot favourites (see my original review here). Gorgeous surroundings, stellar service and stunning food is guaranteed here. Having undergone a recent £250K refurbishment, I envisage this place to be packed to the rafters and which is also perfect for smart or casual dining.

Valentine’s Day Menu (Four courses for £34.95 including a complimentary glass of sparkling Veuve Devienne Rosé. Available on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February.)

The Bull’s Head, Repton

I love this place (here is my original review). For delicious pizzas and the best sundaes in town, do hop on over to The Bull’s Head. The customer service is superb and if you get a seat in the Garden Restaurant, you’ll think you’re in heaven. Highly recommended. Seriously.

Valentine’s Day Menu (4 courses, £39pp)

Ibérico World Tapas

Derbyshire’s only Bib Gourmand Entry in the 2015 Michelin Guide, Ibérico World Tapas is a very special place to dine. Based in the popular and cultural Cathedral Quarter, expect to find the same level of precision cooking and informative service all presented to you in the stunning Grade II listed building, formerly the Magistrate’s Court. The large and airy 80 cover restaurant is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a casual dining experience. The décor takes on a more colourful modern theme with bold patchwork tiling and bright sumptuous fabrics.

For £42.50 per person, this is one stunner of menu. Standout dishes include Grilled Mussels (to die for, honestly), Mushroom Carpaccio, Inside Out Chicken Wings and Roast Pork Belly Bun.

The European Bistro

The European is uniquely housed in one of Derby’s finest and oldest buildings and offers two restaurant areas with different styles, giving diners the option for both formal and informal dining. One of Derby’s finest restaurants, The European Restaurant is focused on delivering superb cuisine and excellent service in a stylish, contemporary and comfortable environment. I love their food and you’re in for a treat if the lovely Giacamo is in the mood for a gentle sing-song.

Valentine’s Day Menu (3 courses £29.90)

Pepito’s Derby

Pepitos is a well established Mexican restaurant in Derby, which has been serving fine food and drink since 1997. Pepito’s is the place to be for special celebrations including birthdays and anniversaries. The atmosphere in the dining room, combined with the amazing food served from the kitchen, makes a night at Pepitos a memorable experience for all.

Valentine’s Day Menu (2 courses + Margarita £22.50pp)

Ask Italian, Derby

ASK Italian is a place for great food and warm service. Think fresh bread made to tear and share. A glass of fine wine deserving of your time. Delicious main dishes prepared the traditional way. Authentic Italian food served straight to your table, with a delicious glass of vino to wash down tasty morsels.

Valentine’s Day Menu (3 courses + coffee £21.95pp)

Fischer’s Baslow Hall

Baslow Hall stands at the top of a winding chestnut-tree-lined driveway on the edge of the picturesque village of Baslow.  How thoroughly romantic does that sound? Chatsworth Estate is within walking distance and the old market town of Bakewell only four miles away. Baslow is the perfect location to discover the beauty of the Peak District and some of the country’s finest stately homes.

Choice dishes off the Valentine’s Day Menu include Slow Roast Pork Belly, Chargrilled Rib of Beef with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Buttery Spinach, Brown Shrimp and Chocolate Plate. Starters from £7.25, mains from £15.75, dessert sharer plate £15.00.

Masa Restaurant

Set in a lovingly converted chapel, the team have built a reputation for culinary excellence throughout a 10 year history at the heart of Derby’s ever-changing restaurant scene. They have been awarded two AA rosettes culinary excellence for the last seven consecutive years and have a cool listing in the Good Food Guide. Masa retains the stunning decorative features from its former life as a chapel, and guests  find the building’s gentle evolution into a fine dining restaurant has in no way spoiled the sense of grandeur, exclusivity and calm.

The ambience of traditional comfort has been perfectly matched with the immaculately prepared cuisine. Whether it is a quiet drink with friends, lunch with clients or an intimate dinner for two, Masa offers an impressive but relaxing environment.

Valentine’s Day Menu (Dinner on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th Feb £39.50 / Lunch on Sunday 14th Feb £30).

The Rum House Nottingham

The Rum House is an eclectic place with scrubbed oak floors, brick walls and a fantastically lined bar filled with enough bottles to make any cocktail your little heart desires. Here you can regularly enjoy some great live music, whilst enjoying the Prohibition era design which is warm and inviting and the perfect place to chill out in style. The Rum House is hidden away down the back streets of Hockley and brings to you an exciting mix of tastes and flavours fusing Caribbean spices into traditional tapas. Rum House’s Prohibition twist won’t hesitate to open your eyes on how to chill out in style! Caribbean Fusion Tapas, with creative Rumspirational Cocktails, what’s not to love?

Valentine’s Day Menu (Tapas Menu £40 per couple)

Tropeiro Nottingham

Tropeiro Nottingham has found its home inside one of the more grandiose buildings against the Nottingham skyline. After being seated you are walked through how a typical ‘churrascaria’ operates whilst sipping a Caipirinha (the Brazilian national cocktail). A large selection of freshly prepared hot and cold Brazilian sides will whet your appetite; turn over your green card – and kick start your ab fab dining experience. Fantastic aromas of grilled meat, citrus, garlic and rosemary floating will tantalise your taste-buds, and despite being full to the brim, you must check out the Musse de Maracuja (passion fruit mousse). For Brazilian authenticity, be sure to hop along to Tropeiro – the dining experience with a difference.

A standard rodizio for two is £40 per couple (normal price £47.90) and the rodizio completo for two at £60 per couple including a cocktail and dessert (normal price of £65). Please note that these options are available on Friday 12th Sunday 14th February only.

Wherever you wind up, I hope you have a fantastic time.

Love RAxx

(Pssst ladies it’s Leap Year – you know what that means, get down on bended knee and get proposing! If you do pop the big question, do let me know how you did it and how it all went. Hopefully it’ll be a good news story that you’ll be sharing. I’d love to know, as I’m a sucker for a good old love story!)

 Cover image source: History.com