Whether you celebrate Valentine’s/Galentine’s/Palentine’s, or you hate it all and are just waiting for the discounted chocolate, we can’t deny the big day is coming around quickly!
Bitten’s 2024 Guide is now here to help you find out where to eat, drink, and find deliciously naughty sweet treats. And no, we’re not judging if you simply make the most of the deals to buy yourself some cookies.
Wining and Dining…
Gusto Italian
This Valentine’s Day, indulge in a shared culinary love story with Gusto Italian’s exquisite selection of sharing dishes, available to enjoy from Monday 12th-Sunday 18th February.
To start, you can enjoy their classic Antipasti Sharing Board for two before moving on to a sharing main of your choice.
Ignite the romance with the Seafood Risotto, a decadent blend of lobster bisque, fresh crab meat, prawns, seabass, scallops, and smoked salmon. Or opt for the grandeur of the Chateaubriand, a 450g masterpiece, accompanied by cacio e pepe butter, truffle mash, tenderstem broccoli, winter greens, and a hint of chillies.
To finish, indulge in warm, pillowy Biscoff and chocolate dough petals, paired with luscious Madagascan vanilla Italian gelato.
Sip into the season of love with their enchanting Strawberry Rose Carafe, or if you’re looking for an individual tipple, try the Valentine’s exclusive Rosé Martini.
As part of this special menu, Gusto Italian are proud to introduce Della Vite, a creation by the iconic sister trio Chloe, Poppy, and Cara Delevingne.
Crafted from hand-picked grapes in the enchanting Valdobbiadene region, these exquisite Proseccos (DOCG and Rosé) are the epitome of elegance and taste.
Pompette
If dining out on Valentine’s Day conjures visions of corny music, plastic-wrapped roses and awkward couples, let Pompette show you another way.
Husband and wife team Pascal and Laura Wiedemann have chosen some of their favourite celebratory dishes for February 14th, testament to a love of fantastic ingredients and convivial dining – be that with your one true love or much-loved friends.
A particularly special dish on the evening will be a warm garlic and saffron mouse with mussel butter, in homage to Pascal’s time working with the inimitable Francophile restaurateur Henry Harris, at London’s Racine – now reincarnated as Bouchon Racine.
Joining this moreish mousse is a twice-baked Comte (cheese) souffle with black truffle, halibut with a rich squid ink risotto, duck breast and confit leg croquette with pickled cherries and a generous côte de boeuf to share. Desserts too are a riot of pure romance; set vanilla cream with pretty pink Yorkshire rhubarb, a supremely rich dark chocolate fondant, paired with pistachio ice cream or French farmhouse cheeses for people who prefer a savoury finish to their meal. Find out more and book.
Brasserie Blanc
“Food is for life, for joy, for saying I love you.” Raymond Blanc
Let love take centre stage and indulge in an exquisite dining experience on February 14th at Brasserie Blanc with their specialised Valentine’s menu, where every course is crafted to delight your senses.
Give them a call on 01865510999 or book your table online but hurry up as tables are going fast!
Find out more and book.
Fleur De Lys
Fleur de Lys is a warm and welcoming bistro with bedrooms, nestled in Bampton. The intention is to bring a relaxed, French flair to the Cotswolds, through seasonality and simplicity. The intimate setting exudes romance, creating the perfect ambiance for an unforgettable evening.
Join them this Valentine’s Day and enjoy traditional French classics to share; like the exquisite Côte de Boeuf sharing platter and delectable Tarte Tatin for two, crowned with a drizzle of Calvados Crème Anglaise and a scoop of velvety vanilla ice cream. Find out more.
Roses are red, violets are blue,
the Côte de boeuf, is perfect for two!
Il Corno
Valentine’s Day is approaching and Il Corno is brimming with love, even more so than usual!
As a family-owned business, for Il Corno it’s all about love and you can feel it as soon as you step inside. The smoked cheese is saying I love you, the friarielli are singing I adore you, the wine and limoncello are begging never let me go.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re having a panuozzo by yourself or asking for two spoons to share that Rum Babà, head to Il Corno for some well deserved romance. As the song goes, “Scusami but you see back in old Napoli that’s Amore”. Find out more.
Wilding
Nestled in the heart of Jericho, this restaurant and wine bar promises an enchanting experience with seasonally-inspired small plates and sharing dishes by Head Chef Ben Wood, formerly Head Chef of Barrafina in London.
Founder and Wine Director Kent Barker’s passion for wine shines through an extensive and diverse wine list, meticulously created for our restaurant, wine bar and shop. Join for an unforgettable Valentine’s dinner at Wilding. Find out more and book.
Fancy a night away? Look no further than The Randolph…
Treat your loved one to a memorable Valentine’s getaway in Oxford at The Randolph by Graduate Hotels.
The swoon-worthy package includes an in-room bottle of prosecco & a sweet treat, late 1 pm checkout and half-off your time in the relaxing Thermal Suite (only £10 per hour). Why not end the day with a date night at The Alice, the hotel’s all-day British brasserie, and dig into seasonal dishes with a contemporary twist, then cheers to love in The Snug, the petite cocktail lounge tucked behind the restaurant.
Use the promo code: LOVE. Valid for stays from 1st Feb – 29th Feb, and bookable now through 24th Feb. Find out more and book.
Dry January is over, time for a well-deserved bevaroonie!
Summertown Wine Bar
Summertown Wine Bar, situated on Banbury Road, offers a stunning array of wines by the glass (over 30 of them), 300 wines by the bottle, as well as cocktails, craft beers, and scrummy nibbles to accompany them such as their signature Tarte Flambee (think a lighter version of a pizza).
With table service included, and recent redecoration ensuring a relaxed, cosy vibe, this is a lovely venue to enjoy an intimate drink with a loved this Valentine’s day! You can book a table on their website, and check out upcoming live music and wine tastings. Find out more.
Knoops
The British brand revolutionising chocolate drinks with its completely customisable chocolate percentage menu, has just launched The Knoops Valentine’s Gift Set (£25.00) which features Great Taste Award-winning 43% Milk Chocolate Flakes and a tube of Limited-Edition Strawberry Marshmallows to create the perfect, indulgent luxury chocolate drinks. The set is wrapped in stylish black and pink gift packaging with heart imagery, ideal for gifting loved ones, available in-store and online from January 30th. Find out more.
Or why not plan a romantic Valentine’s stroll to Knoops on Turl Street and order from the hugely varied menu? (My personal fave is the 64% Peru).
Tap Social
Get your dancing shoes out! Head to Tap Social’s taproom for a special Valentine’s Day performance from the Sisters of Funk, Oxford’s first and only all-woman and non-binary funk band.
As always there’ll be 10 craft beers on draught, curated wines, cocktails, and Tap Social’s patented fun, friendly, and inclusive vibes. The show kicks off at 8pm — free entry! Find out more.
Earth Ale
Earth Ale is all about bringing people together and closer to nature with beers inspired by natural and foraged ingredients. With roots in Michelin kitchens around the world, they’re passionate about delivering quality beers to pair with good food and good company.
If your Valentine is a real foodie, check out their range on the webshop. They deliver UK-wide or you can do Click & Collect from their microbrewery at Bothy Vineyard, Frilford Heath. If you’re in Oxford, you can also head to 2 North Parade or Elle’s Deli, who are both fellow Indie Oxford members! Find out more.
Colombia Coffee Roasters
Colombia Coffee are a family-run company based in Oxford that celebrates the high quality and diversity of Colombian coffee.
They focus on sourcing, roasting, and brewing 100% Arabica coffee, showcasing the incredible range of tasting notes the country has to offer. By maintaining direct relationships with their producers, they ensure customers can buy outstanding quality coffee.
Colombia Coffee are developing initiatives to cut their carbon footprint, such as switching to renewable energy, using an energy-efficient coffee roasting machine, and reducing packaging and waste to a minimum. They want to make a difference both in the local Oxford community and in Colombia, where they source their coffee.
The Finca El Porvenir Red Honey processed coffee is ‘as sweet as your love’. This Valentine’s Day, gift your loved one the Colombia Coffee Roasters coffee-drinking set.
The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach… foodie gifts!
Proof Social Bakehouse
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s treat that not only tastes delicious but also gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling of doing social good, look no further than Proof Social Bakehouse.
Head over to their open-plan bakery and café where you can watch the bakers at work while you eat freshly baked flaky pastries, sourdough bread, and more. The best bit? Visiting them supports their social mission to reduce reoffending and turn lives around by providing inclusive employment for people currently serving or recently released from prison sentences.
Created by the team at Tap Social, Proof is a social enterprise with at least 30% of its workforce joining from the criminal justice system.
The café is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 8am-3pm and features daily specials on top of the trusty favourites. You can also stock up on Tap’s criminally good beer while you’re visiting.
Gatineau
Follow your heart to Gatineau this Valentine’s… and let it lead you to a world of amazingly fresh, delicious and irresistibly sexy-looking treats and desserts. Indulge yourself and your loved ones, or those you want to impress, with our Raspberry Valentine’s Collection.
How about a Raspberry & Vanilla Cruffin for a luscious breakfast, some Mini Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Macarons for a cheeky snack and a messy finger-licking Raspberry & Vanilla Whipped Ganache Mille-Feuille dessert (available as a sharer big heart or an individual round cake with a mousse heart on top)?
And while you are there, why not add some champagne, chocolate and roses to your shopping? Maybe some bread and cheese to accompany your dinner and even a large quiche (pre-booking necessary) if you are feeling like impressing with no mess to clean up behind you.
Gatineau have got it all covered for you. Place your orders online via their website, giving them a call on 01865 311779, emailing the team at shop@gatineau.uk.com or in person at the shop in Summertown! If you’re away and want to send a treat to your loved ones in Oxford, you can always book a delivery online instead. There are so many options, you won’t have an excuse not to shower your loved ones with treats this Valentine’s!
Gatineau is an artisan independent business, opened since 2007 and run by Herve Gatineau and his incredible team. Besides the beautiful shop in Summertown, they also cater to various other businesses in and around Oxford, as well as weddings and special occasions and events. The very international and hard-working team is always experimenting with new recipes and improving classic ones. Pay them a visit and see it all for yourself. If you pop in early morning you will be able to see the pastry chefs working away in the back kitchen.
Happy Cakes
Happy Cakes have been baking cupcakes with fun and love from their Summertown kitchen since 2009. A gift box of Valentine’s cupcakes is the perfect sweet treat for the one you love.
The cupcakes are a mix of chocolate and vanilla, decorated with our hand-crafted Valentine’s toppers. Gluten-free and vegan cupcakes are available too!
A gift box of 6 cupcakes is £21 or a gift box of 12 cupcakes is £42.
The cupcakes would be available for collection from Summertown, Oxford or a courier delivery can be arranged for a small fee.
Charlotte Jane Cakes
All the fudge is handmade by Charlotte using the best ingredients and traditional artisan methods. She makes it in her own kitchen in small batches and then wraps it in tissue paper and packages it in little pretty boxes ready to post.
Each batch of traditional fudge is stirred on the hob for over an hour to get the right texture. It is like a Scottish tablet, but Charlotte has adapted the recipe to make it her own.
All the pressed flowers used are British grown, bought fresh and then hand pressed to add to the signature floral fudge.
The fudge is now available for either a one off purchase or you might like to take advantage of a 15% discount if you subscribe to the fudge fix, getting a box of fudge automatically delivered every month for 12 months.
A monthly delivery of pretty fudge – a pretty good Valentine’s gift I’d say?!
[FUDGE GIFTED]
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