Valentine’s Day is around the corner, a day dedicated to loving your better half – whether that’s your best friend, fluffy four-legged friend or simply spoiling your inner child with sweets – there’s always a reason to do something special. If you haven’t got anything planned just yet, perhaps we can persuade you otherwise with our round-up of East London’s best Valentine’s Day specials…
Boundary London
Cocktails, canapés and views of Shoreditch, Boundary London brings it all together inside a cozy winter terrace with a special four-course meal for Valentine’s Day. Explore the menu for your preferred starters and mains, before ending on a high note with Boundary’s shareable dessert: a refreshing passionfruit tart with rhubarb and crème fraîche, enriched with chocolate ganache.
February 14th
2-4 Boundary St, Hackney, London E2 7DD
boundary.london/
Grand Trunk Road
Complementing a menu of Indian classics, Grand Trunk Road has delved into veggie-friendly fare and decorative drinks for Valentine’s Day. Think gin with passionfruit and lychee flowers, served with dishes such as beetroot and raison medallion, warming black lentils mixed with ginger and tomato, or basmati pulao rice with bell peppers and apple wood-smoked cheese naan.
February 1st – February 29th
219 High Rd, South Woodford, London E18 2PB
www.gtrrestaurant.co.uk/
Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
The five-star courthouse hotel in Shoreditch respects your need for privacy, offering a three-course dinner in the comfort of your room. When checking in, you’ll be welcomed with champagne and strawberries, and spoiled further with a late-night check-out followed by a full English for breakfast.
335-337 Old St, Hackney, London EC1V 9LL
February 1st – February 29th
shoreditch.courthouse-hotel.com/
Hummingbird Bakery
All-American bakery has gone all pink and pretty for Valentine’s Day, topping cupcakes with pink-coloured swirls of frosting, sprinkles and hearts. The Valentine’s Day selection box includes all flavours, from classic vanilla to chocolate and red velvet, or you can say I love you with red velvet cheesecake in heart form.
February 1st – February 29th
11 Frying Pan Alley, Spitalfields, London E1 7HS
hummingbirdbakery.com/
Cutter & Squidge
Home to the biskie, a cross-section of a biscuit, cookie and cake, Cutter & Squidge has dressed up their signature treat for Valentine’s Day. Choose from pink lemon cheesecake, filled with layers of lemon cream cheese buttercream, lemon curd and raspberry jam, or chocolate caramel crunch with honeycomb in the middle.
February 1st – February 29th
23 The Royal Exchange, Threadneedle St, London EC3V 3LP
cutterandsquidge.com/
Doughnut Time
London’s most decadent doughnuts now come in very special Valentine’s Day boxes, designed by visual artist Alice Skinner. There are two new flavours filling the counter, including Vegan Fox (chocolate glaze topped with chocolate fudge buttercream, brownie bites and chocolate drizzles) and Marshmallow Matters (lashings of melted marshmallow on top, strawberry jam inside). Remember, when in doubt, get both.
February 1st – February 29th
233a Old St, Old Street, London EC1V 9HE
doughnuttime.co.uk/