Whether you’re a married couple of twenty five years or in the first flush of romance, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to pull out all the stops out for the one you love. We’ve taken a look at our 5pm restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh and beyond and have rounded up our top Valentine’s menus which are sure to impress.
Playfair’s Restaurant, St Andrews
Any menu that offers a “pre dessert” as well as a dessert is good enough for us. The rest of the five course Valentine’s menu at Playfair’s within the Ardgowan Hotel in St Andrews focuses on local produce; dishes include a mosaic of Scottish seafood with saffron consommé and tomato, tenderloin of Monifeith pork with koffman cabbage, apple, crackling, chateau potatoes and wholegrain jus, pave of Shetland salmon with asparagus, tomato fondue, potato cake and red pepper hollandaise and baked Arran Mist brie with cranberry, basil and focaccia crouts. There’s loads of options to choose from; five starters, five main courses and six desserts, and each course has an option to share for those to want to replicate a Lady and the Tramp style situation.
£35 for 6 courses on Valentine’s menu at Playfair’s Restaurant on 5pm.
Central Market, Glasgow
Since opening in 2012, Central Market in Glasgow’s Merchant city has established a stellar reputation for its modern Scottish dishes, even gaining an AA Rosette and mention in the Michelin guide. The restaurant’s stylish minimalist decor based around an oyster and Champagne bar is sure to impress your date, not to mention its four course Valentine’s menu which includes a glass of wine to match each course: examples are the Cumbrae oyster, mignonette, tabascco paired with a glass of Laurent Perrier and cote de boeuf, house salad, french fries with chimichuri or bernaise sauce paired with a glass of Argentinian Malbec.
£50 for 4 courses on Valentine’s menu + glass of wine with each course at Central Market on 5pm.
One Square, Edinburgh
The Valentine’s menu at One Square within Edinburgh’s five star Sheraton Hotel features five modern courses created with the finest Scottish produce. Examples include pressed terrine of St Bride s chicken & baby leek, sauce gribiche baby herb salad & roast Oban scallop, Edinburgh spiced orange gin sorbet with tonic foam and Orkney gold double cut sirloin, smoked tomatoes new season roast heritage potatoes & wild mushroom sauce. The restaurant’s slick decor and view of the castle are sure to impress your Valentine.
£89 2 person offer – 5 courses each on Valentines menu + bottle of Prosecco at One Square on 5pm.
Rioja, Glasgow
Rioja, in Glasgow’s hipster Finnieston, is an excellent option for tapas loving Valentines. After a blueberry cava sorbet which is presented on arrival, the menu begins with an apertif of salmon cone with padron peppers and wasabi or piquillo pepper filled with feta cheese followed by a starter of Spanish meats or cheese. Loved up couples then get to choose five tapas to share from a selection of 13; options include grilled squid served with onion purée and blackened onion rings, oxtail with strawberry or confit pork belly with mashed parsnip and crispy garlic. The romance continues with the desserts menu where a chocolate heart with crispy caramel and vanilla cream sauce is one of the options available.
£27.50 for 4 courses + blueberry cava sorbet from valentines menu at Rioja on 5pm.
Cucina, Edinburgh
Cucina is offering a four course Italian feast on Valentine’s Day beginning a raspberry Bellini on arrival then a starter of fried “ficattola” bread with Tuscan cured ham ending with Sicilian cannoli of sweet ricotta and candied fruit with orange sorbet. The stylish surroundings of Edinburgh’s five star G&V Hotel makes it a Valentine’s treat to remember. Add a wine paired with each course for an extra £25.
£45 for 4 courses from the Valentines menu + Raspberry Bellini & optional Wine Pairing at Cucina on 5pm.
For more Valentine’s offers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and more, check out our Valentine’s Dining Page.