The Great Date Guide needs you!

Here at The Great Date Guide we want to make the website everything that YOU'D like it to be. We want it to be fun to look at, easy to use and of course most importantly, we want to make sure you're getting what you want from it.

To help us in our quest, we'd be eternally grateful if you could complete this VERY quick survey to let us know your thoughts.

Click HERE to answer the survey.

There are only 10 short questions, so we reckon it will take you approx 2 minutes*
(*slightly longer if you're using a dial up connection from Antarctica, if you only type with one finger or if you get distracted mid task by some hot totty strolling past…)

As a thank you, you'll be automatically entered into our fantastic Taste of London competition to win a pair of free tickets to the Friday night session. Take a look at the competition page on the website for more info, but if you answer our survey and send us an email with your contact details, you'll be entered automatically.

THANK YOU YOU LOVELY PEOPLE!!!

A date at Aubin Cinema

Miss Mary went on a truly great date last week and loved every minute of it. Partly because the thrill of going to Shoreditch, for a girl from Battersea, still feels like one big adventure...

If I'm honest, I think this is a pretty perfect date! I met my date at Liverpool Street Station and ambled up to Shoreditch via the cobbled streets of Spitalfields, past the quirky Dennis Severs House (for our next date perhaps?) and on up to Redchurch Street. We timed it just right (i.e. half an hour before they close the kitchens) and so were able to grab a drink on the fab roof terrace at the Boundary. If you're not allowed up, or you're out of season then head to Albion, the ground floor cafe at the Boundary, for a quick drink and a bite to eat.

Aubin Cinema is then a short stumble (depending on how much wine you've had!) from the Boundary. We picked up our tickets and headed down to the basement where we found a cute retro bar and and a couple of very trendy, very helpful members of staff! We were just in time to grab another dink which we took into the cinema itself - yes, this is one of those proper cinemas where the wine goes with you! Once inside we were struck by how cosy and intimate the cinema was and by the overwhelming comfort and romance of the velvet seats! We've got to recommend the two seater sofas which, complete with tartan blanket, provide the perfect place to snuggle up with your date. 

Even the loos at Aubin are stylish, stocked with delicious Cowshed products from the Soho House group (of which Aubin is a part)...

As the films usually start quite late (around 9.15pm) I'm guessing (like me!) you're going to have the munchies when you resurface up on the pavement. So, I have the perfect solution: head to The Beigel Bake on Brick Lane, a legendary 24 hour bakery which serves the finest salt beef bagels in all of London!

Oh and if you too live in Battersea, then let me tell you that the marvelous 344 bus goes all the way there and back - easy!

Take a look at the website for the full review and details of how to book etc.

…And the winner is…

So, we have our lucky winners for the fabulous Big Tomato Company mug competition!

We had such fun looking through all your entries for a modern 'his and hers' mug pair - may we say that you are all geniuses?! 

Some of our favourites were 'Breadwinner & Spendthrift', 'Bro & Ho' and 'Stud & Stud-ette'. 

The winning entry has been chosen by Big Tomato Company themselves, so a big round of applause to our lucky winner with their brilliant entry, 'Other half & Better half'. 

The runners up prizes go to:

'Bonnie & Clyde'

'Beauty & Beast'

'Always right & Always wrong'

We'll be in touch with the winners directly, but congratulations again and a huge thank you to all who entered.

Top 10 Romantic Restaurants in London

London is full to bursting with fantastic restaurants and bars. To help you narrow down the options, here's a list of ten of the finest romantic restaurants  (in no particular order!) that London has to offer, courtesy of the experts at Bon Vivant...

Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden, WC2  Often described as an oasis in the heart of Covent Garden and revered for its acclaimed wine list, Clos Maggiore, with its muted lighting and open log fire, epitomises the ethos of a romantic restaurant for many.

Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Knightsbridge, SW1  Since striking out alone from Gordon Ramsay Holdings, Marcus Wareing’s cooking has flourished even further and his eponymous restaurant presents haute cuisine at its finest. The service and food are impeccable, but it’s the dark and seductive décor that gives it the edge, making it irresistible for every true romantic.

Club Gascon, Clerkenwell, EC1  Club Gascon is the Michelin starred jewel in Pascal Aussignac’s mini Empire including Le Cercle and a number of other Gascon incarnations. Situated near Smithfield Market, Club Gascon highlights the cuisine of southwest France, with a large focus on foie gras, and is great for grown-up romance.

Lamberts, Balham, SW12  Lamberts is an intimate local restaurant in Balham, offering unassuming and traditional cuisine, with a great focus on traceable and sustainable produce. The stylish, contemporary décor and the atmospheric lighting make this an ideal restaurant for a first date.

Bleeding Heart, Clerkenwell, EC1  With a rustic look to match its location and history, the Bleeding Heart offers traditional French fare in a welcoming and intimate setting, which is great for couples, and has an award-winning wine list to match.

Odette’s, Primrose Hill, NW1  Odette’s has been a Primrose Hill institution for decades, but is now under the reign of Bryn Williams, winner of the Great British Menu television series. The mood is dark and seductive in the downstairs restaurant and if you ask for one of the booths, you’ll feel like you have your own private cavern for two. The restaurant is next to Primrose Hill, a perfect spot for a romantic stroll after dinner.

Scott’s, Mayfair, W1  From the moment the doorman wearing a bowler hat greets and escorts you into the dining room and you see the fabulously ornate oyster bar, you know you’re in for a treat, and the food, service and ambience deliver just that. Scott’s is upscale, glamorous and sexy - perfect for a night out with your loved one.

Rhodes 24, The City, EC2  Located in the heart of the City, Rhodes 24 is on the 24th floor of Tower 42 and has sublime views of London, which is ideal for gazing into the distance with your loved one. It’s also worth having a drink at Vertigo 42’s champagne bar on the 42nd floor of the building before dinner.

Roussillon, Pimlico, SW1  Roussillon is well known for its accomplished classic French cuisine using the finest British produce, which thoroughly deserves its Michelin star. The atmosphere is intimate and understated – perfect for an elegant date.

Trinity, Clapham, SW4  Trinity is situated in the heart of Clapham Old Town and is considered one of the best local restaurants in London, illustrating affordable fine dining with a sleek, modern vibe, with just the right amount of romance.

For lots more fabulous romantic date ideas just take a look at the "romance" section on the website by clicking here...

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Our thanks for this list goes to...

Bon Vivant is a bespoke concierge and lifestyle management service based in London with global coverage. To access their services for £100 per month or £1,000 per annum, visit their website at www.bonvivant.co.uk, their blog at http://blog.bonvivant.co.uk or follow them on Twitter at @BonVivantLiving