Spring Is On It's Way!

We're already feeling seriously enthusiastic about spring! These brief moments of sunshine are lifting our mood here at the GDG and getting us very excited about the next few months... London is simply stunning in the spring - so full of promise.

Whilst we're eagerly looking forward to spring, we're also feeling nostalgic towards last year. For our small team this past year has meant weddings and babies galore! I've been having a look through our archives and have dug out this piece that I wrote for the fabulous (and always cheerful!) Heart Home Magazine.

Although it's from a year ago all the suggestions are still relevant and perfect to get you inspired for spring in London.

Enjoy!

Miss Mary xxx

p.s. there are also some great new bars and restaurants opening this spring (like Bird of Smithfield) so keep an eye out on this blog and the website for more details.

Mussel Men

Ooooh, I LIKE the sound of this. A pop up of Shetland mussels, skinny french fries and Italian wine…. mmmmmm! Coming to The Doodle Bar in Battersea this weekend for a Valentines special (14th - 17th Feb). The standard menu costs just £35 per couple and consists of a kilo of mussels and delicious skinny fries plus a bottle of Prosecco and your choice of either oysters or a desert to share. There's even a super lux Valentines version if you feel up to it. More's the point, take on Captain Bob in a thumb war contest, and you could win a Mussel Men t-shirt or extra mussels. Weird but rather wonderful!

The Decision Tree

Do you sometimes find the choice of restaurants in London a little overwhelming? I do! With all the options it's often easier to just go to the same old place that you're familiar with...

Well, the team at Squaremeal.co.uk have come up with "decision tree" to help you find the perfect restaurant. It might just come in handy for this Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Picnic Hampers

We all dread the inevitable rush of booking a table, finding a card, and buying a present.  Let alone cooking a four course meal at home! This year we've got a suggestion which avoids all of the above and will earn you brownie points…

The clever team at picnic2u have have designed two special picnics which provide the ideal solution to Valentine's Day panics. Order one of their hampers and you'll have a delicious and romantic alternative to the last minute dinner in your local restaurant.

You can choose between their Luxury Valentine's Hamper or the specially designed Lovers Box - both have everything you might need for the perfect carpet picnic or romantic day out in the park. They're even throwing in a free bottle of wine for every hamper ordered over the Valentines weekend (subject to availability and whilst stocks last).

And now for the really good news… All GDG readers will get a further 10% off just by entering the following code at the checkout: GDGfeb2013

So, all you need to do is remember to turn up, and maybe bring a blanket!

Speeding down the Thames!

Speed Dating Anyone? Life jackets provided...

Fall in love in style this Valentine's day as you take to the river with London RIB Voyages, the most famous sightseeing speedboat/love-boat on the river Thames today!

Whether you're in love with your date or in love with London this is the ticket for you. Get the adrenalin pumping in your heart and soul as you skip across London’s wonderful waterways. Hear the stories of love, the tales of woe and see the beauty of our heritage soar around you with your very own beauty by your side ;)

Hold on to your loved one tight as you make your way through our darling city on route to Canary Wharf for this new and improved form of “speed dating.”

Comedian cupids (otherwise known as your tour guides) hop aboard for maximum fun and entertainment. See where the world's pop princess sleeps, Cameron courts his lady and the most loveable couple in British history (Del Boy & Rodney) ended up living once they made it big. Not to mention a quick salute to the king of romance, Mr Shakespeare himself, as you pass The Globe Theatre. 

Loved up couples receive a souvenir photo and a special valentines gift as a memento of this breathtaking experience. So...

Book now for a discounted couple rate of just £69 per couple (usually £84.00).

Call 0207 928 8933 now to reserve your seats or book online now. Toot toot.

p.s. We honestly can't recommend London Rib Voyages enough. Mention that you heard about them from us and they'll be extra nice to you… we promise!

It's Competition Time!

We've teamed up with the talented team at L'atelier des Chefs to bring you a great competition this month. W're giving away a pair of vouchers to one of their fantastic cookery classes in London.

If the idea of rustling up a romantic dinner for your other half this Valentine's Day fills you with dread, then might we suggest a trip to the lovely folk at L'atelier des Chefs?

Their cooking classes are designed to fit into the lives of busy Londoners, helping you to master some key cooking skills, or to learn how to deliver a delicious meal all within a time frame that suits you. If you've literally only got a lunch hour then one of their 30 minute classes would be perfect. But, if your boss is a little more relaxed then we'd recommend the 60 minute classes which take place at various times throughout the day, Monday to Saturday. Lasting just one hour, these classes are designed to inspire you with dishes that are easy to replicate at home, expanding your recipe repertoire as you pick up new culinary skills. All of which means… impressing your date/husband/wife/long-suffering mealtime companion!

This Valentine's Day we've got a pair of gift cards to give away to a lucky winner, allowing you and your date the opportunity to improve your culinary skills together!

Head over to our website for the full details… it's easy peasy to enter, all you'll have to do is tell us who you'd love to cook a romantic meal for!

p.s. the winner will be announced on Valentine's Day but the vouchers are valid for a year.

Valentine's at The Langham

Here at the Great Date Guide we obviously love Valentine's Day! So, we thought we'd share with you all the info we're being sent about special Valentine's events in London. We'll be keeping you updated as soon as we hear things, but first off, it's The Langham, London with it's incredible Valentine's afternoon tea...

Enjoy sugar, spice and all things nice in the dazzling Palm Court this Valentines from £42.50 per person. Their award winning Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, has created something special to tantalise your taste buds including a Saint Valentine Macaroon, Puppy Love Cookie and more. These pictures have us swooning in the office - especially the heart shaped scones and macaroons!

Available on Valentine’s Day. 

p.s. If you fancy making a day, or even a weekend of it then The Langham also offers...

A Magic Rose cocktail in their bar, Artesian. Created by award-winning Head Bartender Alex Kratena, Magic Rose is Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne poured over a raspberry, lychee and rose sorbet.  Available from 11th – 17th February and priced at £16. 

For dinner experience Roux at The Landau’s 7-course Valentine Day menu including Spit-roast fillet of aged Hereford beef with truffled hollandaise and Yorkshire rhubarb pavlova with coconut chantilly and alphonso mango dressing. Available Valentine’s Day only priced at £95 per person.

Stay ‘Happily Ever After’ and take the elevator home. Savour a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne and Charbonnel et Walker pink Champagne truffles in your room, the perfect start to a romantic evening before enjoying a pre-dinner martini or aperitif in the glamorous Artesian, recently voted the ‘World’s Best Bar’. The Happily Ever After package includes a rose petal turndown, full English breakfast, a complimentary late check-out until 2pm plus a souvenir gift from The Langham Book Butler and is priced from £443 per room per night.