Valentine’s Day Dining

Our resident foodie discusses the dishiest spots in Durham to woo your Valentine

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As Ford said in 1845, “the way to many an honest heart lies through the belly”… But where to go and what to do in Durham?

Café Rouge is offering three courses for £17.95. It might not be the most inspired choice but the chicken liver parfait, slow cooked lamb shank and chocolate fondant doesn’t sound too bad at all.

The student staple Cellar Door which offers ‘British cuisine and Mediterranean roots’ has been decked out with roses especially for Valentine’s Dine. Intimate settings and an abundance of choice could down very well indeed. From butternut squash, sage and blue cheese pithivier, to pan roasted Gressingham duck or a paupiette of plaice with a lemon and caper butter there’s something for everyone.

If you want something slightly different I’d make my way to the Viaduct and visit Finbarr’s – purveyors of high quality, locally sourced produce and an ever changing menu. This would be a particularly good option for Freshers wanting to delve into the heart of the Viaduct and be transformed out of the bubble (almost).

Finbarrs isn’t too far out of the way!

Push the boat out and head up to Gourmet Spot for a seven course tasting menu at £55 dry or £80 with a wine flight. This of course includes an amuse bouche, coffee and petit fours and is bound to win some brownie points in the boyfriend/girlfriend stakes.

Alternatively you could head just outside of Durham to one of the many peripheral pubs and restaurants. Try The Garden House Inn on the road to the hospital, The Rose Tree Inn or the popular Seven Stars Inn, both located in Shincliffe just past Maiden Castle. Even further afield there are the bright lights of Newcastle, try out David Kennedy’s Food Special for something really quite distinctive. This Valentine’s day they’re offering a ‘tantalising three course menu with handmade confectionary’.

And for those feeling frugal this February make your way to the Gates shopping precinct. Poundland is currently selling everything. For a pound. So go wild… but don’t expect your Valentine to be incredibly happy with you. For a fiver you could get 12 packets of Wotsits, three cans of coke, one tin of ‘Goblin stewed steak’, three crème eggs and 280 grams of instant mash potato powder. Who said romance is dead?

Finally, to keep the night going head to Ebony’s if you fancy some champagne or cocktails or The Shakespere if real ale is on the agenda. Alternatively put your culinary skills to the test and see what you can do in the kitchen.

Also – don’t forget to make pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, or visit The Pancake Cafe on Crossgate if you can’t be bothered to make your own!