Je t’aime
Ah, la belle France. Nothing says love quite like it. Good job we’ve got one of the best French restaurants going, then. Head to Bord Eau for dinner in a ‘garden of blooming flowers’. Chef Jean has a six-course meal planned for you, with a couple of glasses of bubbly thrown in, as well as a Polaroid pic to mark the occasion.
Call 02 509 8555 to reserve, and put aside Dhs450 for the pair of you. Taxi: Shangri-La Hotel.
Mein tumse pyaar karta hoon
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more romantic spot in Abu Dhabi than along the Maqtaa Creek. While Indian food might not immediately suggest romantic tenderness, Ushna’s chefs Amrish Sood and Sommelier Sasi Ganesan know how to bring it home in style. Dhs695 will cover the evening – the inclusive bottle of Lanson Black Label Champagne ought to have the pair of you singing like lovesick Bollywood starlets.
Call 02 558 1769 to reserve. Taxi: Souk Qaryat Al Beri.
Amo voce
It’s Valentine’s Day all month long at Chamas, and nothing says ‘amo voce’ better than a bellyful of cow. Aside from the usual churrascaria offerings, the restaurant is promising an ‘exotic Valentine menu’, running from 6pm-8pm every night of February, for Dhs495 per couple. It’s usually good for an evening out, so add a bit of fun to your date.
02 666 6888. Taxi: InterContinental Hotel.
No te amo
Before you write in to say we got our translation wrong, check out Bravo’s anti-Valentine’s event – a night for the loveless Scrooges of Valentine’s 2010. Bring your other single buddies, enjoy a flask of sangria, and win yourself a ride in a stretch-Hummer in their rather spectacular raffle. The meal involves fondue, tapas and champagne – yours for Dhs125.
Book on 02 697 0235. Taxi: Sheraton Abu Dhabi.
Ti voglio bene
Unless you’re Alan Partridge, Valentine’s Day is probably best spent as far away from motorsports as possible. Nothing good can come from dinner near an F1 circuit, unless, of course, the F1 circuit happens to be Yas Marina, and dinner is at Yas Hotel’s Amici. The sharing menu at this excellent Italian is priced at Dhs250 (per person, excluding the usual tax and tourism charges), and you’re in good hands with Chef Pastore.
Book on 02 656 0600. Taxi: Yas Hotel.
Is tú mo ghrá
The above words – pronounce them at your peril (‘iss two muh guhraw’) – won’t get you very far at PJ O’Reilly’s Irish pub this month. The aim is to ‘escape Valentine’s’ – divorcees are more than welcome. There are no special deals on, but when it’s PJ’s, you know you’re in for a bit of a party.
Other restaurants in the hotel are planning something a bit more exclusive – see our supplement for further details, or call 02 674 2020. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien.
Phom rak khun
That’s ‘phom rak khun’ to all you illiterates. Talay, our favourite Thai in town, has a natty little deal for anyone in the mood for love. Get out on the newly refurbished terrace and enjoy a four-course meal for Dhs195 each (plus 16 per cent). The price involves a bottle of bubbly, a rose and a gift for the ladies. In truth, we’d eat there any night of the year – it’s hard not to fall in love with Chef Kawikitpraphat’s creations.
Definitely book ahead on 02 644 6666. Taxi: Le Méridien.
Ana behibak
The Millennium Hotel has your North African Valentine’s treats covered at Marakesh, which is offering a romantic set menu, a bottle of red or white (and a glass of bubbly) all for Dhs799 per couple. There’s a Moroccan band and, er, a belly dancer. Remember to keep your eye on the ball, gents. This is not the night to be caught gawping…
Call 02 626 2700 to book. Taxi: Millennium Hotel.
Love all
The Beach Rotana’s Finz won our Best Romantic Restaurant award two years in a row, so it’d be foolish of us to leave them out now. Providing it’s seafood you’re after, they’ve got all bases covered, too, from the tandoor to the wok. The best advice we can give you is to grab the phone and book now. It’s Finz, after all. It doesn’t come much better-known than that. This year, Aussie wonderchef Greg Doyle jets in to do a four-course plus bubbly special, priced at Dhs450 per person.
Call 02 697 9000 to reserve. Taxi: Beach Rotana.
