Love is in the air! What’s on for Valentine’s Day
| 8th February 2023
We’re all about spreading the love here at VIVA, so if you want to celebrate that special person in your life or even people in your world, we’ve got you covered.
Whether it’s lust, ‘paletines’ or you just want to enjoy some self-love, here’s what’s happening for Valentine’s Day in our romantic city and beyond.
Tea for two (or as many as you want)
Afternoon tea makes our heart flutter here at VIVA and there’s great news as that most romantic of destinations The Midland, a Royal Leonardo Hotel, has launched a vegan one.A stalwart on the Manchester social scene since the hotel opened in 1903, The Midland’s afternoon tea in The Tea Room has been a mainstay on the menu for over a century, and its Vegan Afternoon Tea menu has become a popular option in recent years.
Working closely with local suppliers, the team takes pride in sourcing the highest quality ingredients, with the hotel’s in-house patisserie making all the cakes from scratch. Set in the opulent Tea Room, offering wonderful views of St Peter’s Square, guests can enjoy a range of delicious sandwiches which includes the likes of roasted red pepper, plant-based feta and rocket on malt bread, cucumber with mint and chia seed mayonnaise on tomato bread, crushed pea, marjoram cream cheese on rye bread and beetroot hummus, pickled carrot and walnut on white bread.
Alongside freshly baked sultana and plain vegan scones, served with Devon clotted cream and Mrs Darlington’s jams, there is also a tantalising selection of cakes, including caramelised pear and almond sponge, Earl grey tea polenta cake with orange curd, Varhone dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel and vanilla, and soy and tonka bean rice pudding with pink grapefruit. The Vegan Afternoon Tea Menu is £30 per person and is available seven days a week. There is also the option to choose a Royal Vegan Afternoon Tea with a glass of Champagne for £40.
In addition to Vegan Afternoon Tea, the Tea Room also serves Traditional Afternoon Tea, Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, Gluten Free Afternoon Tea and Children’s Afternoon Tea. VIVA went to try it out and adored all the vegan offerings which we compared to the non-vegan option. You won’t be missing our and the gorgeous setting is the icing on the teacake for romantics.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
A series of exciting beauty events from some of the UK’s most loved beauty brands will take place in the Beauty Hall, at Selfridges Trafford.
Beauty lovers can enjoy expert masterclasses from iconic brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Rodial, Dior, Nars and Bobbi Brown whilst at Exchange Square there will be luxury makeover sessions at Mac, Charlotte Tilbury, Christian Louboutin and Bobbi Brown. Prices vary.
We ‘heart’ Gino D’Acampo
And who doesn’t! Now the Italian heartthrob is putting love on the menu at Luciano by Gino D’Acampo with a special set menu for Valentine’s Day and is inviting guests to enjoy two courses for £33 or three courses for £37, including a welcome glass of Prosecco, Valentine’s Spritz or bottled beer on arrival.
Featuring on the special menu is a selection of the leading Italian chef’s signature dishes including calamari fritti served with garlic mayonnaise and lemon, truffle arancine, slow cooked beef, red wine and potato puree, linguine with king prawns, white wine and spicy mushrooms. Yum and for a sweet dessert bomboloni (Italian doughnuts with a raspberry and white chocolate sauce) and tiramisu amongst other treats.
Free event that puts the heart into art!
Box on the Docks presents‘PAL-entines’ at the Art Hall on Thursday 16th February from 5pm, with entertainment from 6pm – 10pm.
The free event will be a celebration of friendship with a showcase of the best of Salford’s local creative talent, including BBC Radio Manchester’s David Scott a.k.a. Argh Kid and other BBC Introducing artists.
Love Blossoms at Groobarbs Field Kitchen
If you’re looking for the most magical venue in which to impress your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, Groobarbs Field Kitchen sounds perfect.
Set in a converted barn in the restaurant’s 6.5-acre kitchen gardens, they are opening especially for the annual calendar date (Tuesday, February 14th), where guests can enjoy a special five-course menu crafted from ingredients grown and prepared with love, from Groobarbs Field Kitchen’s gardens just metres away.
Dishes include a selection of welcome nibbles; poached leeks with a chive hollandaise sauce and garlic sourdough crumbs; a chicory, feta, walnut, blood orange and spelt salad; beef short-rib with kale, cumin and turmeric potatoes, and parsnip and apple puree; and poached rhubarb, honey and rosemary panna cotta served with lemon shortbread. An alternative vegetarian mains course is also available and sees a celeriac and sage gnocchi served with kale and a parsnip and apple puree.
Reservations cost £33.50pp and include a beautiful five-course sharing menu.
Habas V Day menu
Habas is introducing a special Valentine’s Day menu with guests invited to enjoy a welcome glass of fizz, a sharing fillet steak accompanied by za’atar hassleback potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, and a red wine jus.
It sounds mouth-watering and if that doesn’t get your heart pumping there’s petite fours including a decadent double chocolate and raspberry sponge, delicate passionfruit and vanilla choux buns, and indulgent pistachio and white chocolate fudge for £90 per couple.
To dine from this menu bookings are required before 12pm on Friday 10th February.