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Wine, dine and put your heart on the line

05 February 2010

If you’re planning to propose this Valentine’s Day, or just make a lasting impression on that special someone, forget about the Eiffel Tower or the Trevi Fountain and stay closer to home, says The Good Food Guide.

The UK is home to some amazing restaurants, and the Guide has picked out ten of the best for a romantic meal.

  • Cellar, Anstruther, Scotland – a remarkable series of romantic dining rooms lit by open fires, a true delight for seafood lovers.
  • Clos Maggiore, London – an intimate restaurant where the stunning, plant-filled conservatory allows diners to feel they’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of city life.
  • The Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire – a splendid riverside location sets the scene perfectly for a romantic tête-à-tête.
  • The Bluebell, Henley-in-Arden, Warkwickshire – the menu has a wide appeal while soft lighting and candles set off the quirky mix of ancient features and swanky modern design.
  • The Modern, Manchester – the menu packs a punch and diners can enjoy some of the finest cocktails in the city, perched at the top of Urbis (Manchester’s museum of urban life).
  • Samuels at Swinton Park, Masham, Yorkshire – fine dining in a stunning country manor.
  • Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor, Oxfordshire – lovable eccentricity and surreal objets d’art continue to charm the pants off everyone.
  • The Willow Tree, Taunton, Somerset – in a tranquil waterside setting, this is Taunton’s best kept secret.
  • Equilibrium at Fawsley Hall, Nottinghamshire - the original Tudor kitchen has been has been transformed in to a romantic, intimate setting.
  • Pearl, London – this old banking hall hung with pearls and finished in soft pinks and creams is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

Elizabeth Carter, Consultant Editor of The Good Food Guide, says:

“Food and love have a long and entwined history. Luckily for us, the UK is home to some of the most downright dramatic, quirky and intimate restaurants in the world, so whatever your taste you can make Valentine’s Day an affair to remember.

“And if you’re planning on popping the question, book now to avoid disappointment!”

Food-lovers can also find their best local restaurants by using The Good Food Guide iPhone app.

Notes to Editor

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact Martin Chapman - martin.chapman@which.co.uk / 0207 770 7373.

The Good Food Guide is Britain's longest-running, best-selling restaurant guide. It does not accept any sponsorship, advertising or free meals and is therefore the only truly independent UK restaurant guide. It includes reviews of over 1,200 dining experiences from great value pubs to fine dining.

The Good Food Guide 2010 can be ordered on 01903 828557 (£16.99, p&p free) or at www.which.co.uk/gfgbook or bought from bookshops.

The Good Food Guide app is priced at £4.99 and can be downloaded at www.thegoodfoodguide.com or found on the iTunes app store. Users will get full access to The Good Food Guide’s reviews.