Each week on 30 Dates, we suggest some date options in what can feel like an immense city!
If you're looking for a date venue to impress, but that won't break the bank, Gallery Mess is a great shout. Part of the Saatchi Gallery, the restaurant is elegant but understated. The location is perfect, tucked just off the King's Road, on a romantic, quiet alley. Two minutes from Sloane Square tube, you walk past beautiful statues of children playing hopscotch on the bollards en route to the gallery.
I met up with The Enigma earlier this week for a catch up – watch this space for the final 30 Dates, One Year On article – and we both absolutely loved the venue.
The restaurant is beautiful, with (I think what you'd describe as!) high vaulted ceilings and incredible artwork dotted around. We dined next to a stain glass man, and there is a huge metal sculpture of a shoe leaning up against the wall beside the loos!
We opted for the seafood platter to share, with half a lobster each, and weren't disappointed. And both of our desserts (creme brûlée and lemon curd cheesecake) were to die for!
I've never worked in Canary Wharf, so the Canada Square building is not one I know, or in an area I would equate with fine dining … but One Canada Square certainly proved me wrong! It's a little tricky to find – don't take the tube to Canada Water, take it to Canary Wharf, and then if you end up in the Mall, you need to go up to ground level to get to the restaurant- but the hunt is definitely worth it. The restaurant is chic and impressive, and split across several levels, with private bar areas you can hire for parties. I had one of the best three course meals I've eaten all month at One Canada Square, and everything right down to the bread was delicious.
I headed there with the Fighter Pilot, and between us we tried the Steak Tartare, Smoked Salmon, Sea Bass, Smoked Haddock Fishcake, Creme Brûlée and the Sticky Toffee Pudding … ALL of which I would recommend! Don't scrimp on sides – the creamed spinach was incredible, and I wish I'd ordered second helpings of the mashed potatoes. Comfort food perfection!
The Mall Tavern has featured on the blog before. A regular spot used by dating events company Table8, this gastro pub near Notting Hill Gate is a chic, yet affordable option in a lovely part of town. Knowing how good the food is, I chose it as the place to celebrate my fast-approaching 31st birthday, this weekend.
It worked perfectly, because as a former Reading resident, it's really close to Paddington station, but the location wasn't the only reason I chose it. For just £50 you can hire out the beautiful Library – an impressive private room with a round table which seats up to 16. The set menu is £20 for 2 courses, £25 for 3, and includes a whole array of the pub's incredible starter selection (my favourite part of dinner every time I go there).
The Tavern is currently running a promotion called #BestFriendTuesdays – if you go there on a Tuesday between midday and 7pm, you get buy one, get one free on main courses … so definitely an economical idea for a midweek lunch date!
I can't mention my birthday dinner and not show you the incredible birthday cake, which one of my very talented friends made! The blog's very own Rebound Gal made this beautiful frog prince cake for me!
What happened after I kissed him?