By Editors
Some of us have been in love for as long as we can remember, while some are basking in the "honeymoon phase" of a fledgling romance. It is believed that food feeds love, retail therapy strokes it, pleasant surprises validate it and effortless comforts makes it smile. And you can call it corny, cheesy, or a boring old Hallmark holiday, but it feels good to celebrate love with the special someone in your life.
Bringing you, in no way exhaustive and simply our personal favourites, LBBD's Handbook to Valentine's Day in Delhi.
FOOD | A sure shot way to a person's heart is through the stomach…
Rose Cafe | Tucked away in a pocket near Saket, the rose pink cafe is a beautiful hideout ideal for a quiet, secluded date. They've planned an elaborate four course feast for Valentine's Dinner; quaint interiors, good service, Sangria and pizzas- sounds like a good night out to us.
Price: 4 course meal @INR 1,150++ for 2 people; INR850++ for 1 person
Where: Rose Cafe, 2 Westend Marg, Saidulajab; For Reservations: 9810088762, 9810101132
Yauatcha | Dimsums, drinks, desserts - The Michelin Starred dimsum house packs all 3 in a menu that befits both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, including dumplings and a baked vegetarian chicken puff. Word from the wise? Skip the mains, order the dimsums, and OD on desserts.
Price: 3 course meal at INR 2,500 per person
Where: Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj; For Reservations: 1800 266 1000
Cheri | A beautiful courtyard setting, mood-lighting and soft lilting music, we'd recommend Cheri to anyone looking to do some serious wooing.
Price: 3 course meal @INR 5,000++ per couple {including Imported alcohol}
Where: Cheri, One Qutub, Mehrauli; For Reservations: 8800480048
Smokehouse Deli | Possibly one of Delhi’s most popular restaurants, with some of the best burgers and steak we've had in town, we’d recommend their branch in HKV. Follow it with a walk around the lake, and end it at Gelato Roma!
Price: 3 course meal with 2 glasses of Chandon @INR 2,250++; 3 course meal with a bottle of Chandon @INR 3,500++
Where: Smokehouse Deli at 17 Khan Market , 12 Hauz Khas Village & DLF Promenade Mall; For Reservations: Click here
Diva Kitsch | The Pan-asian baby of the Diva chain is reminiscent of a young, budding romance; they have a menu that's interesting and eclectic, and a setting that's vibrant and very chilled out. They've put together restaurant specials for the V-day menu; take the overindulgence up a notch by popping into the designer store downstairs.
Price: 3 course meal @ INR 2,350/- + per person without Prosecco and INR 2,750++ with unlimited Prosecco
Where: Diva Kitsch, D-17 Defence Colony; For Reservations: 011 40648861
Hyatt Regency- China Kitchen, TK's Oriental Grill & La Piazza | The address for three of the finest restaurants in Delhi, serving diverse cuisines, a meal at Hyatt might not be too innovative, but it definitely is foolproof.
On offer {at all 3 restaurants}: Non-alcoholic package: INR 2,800++ per person
Lanson Brut Champagne package: INR 4,500++ per person
Lanson Rose Champagne package: INR 6,000++ per person
Where: Hyatt Regency, Bhikhaji Cama Place; For Reservations: 9958096568
Not up your alley? From milking the last of this brilliant weather, to opening up to your significant other over your favorite cocktails, quick bites, and even options for the morning after, here's more:
Take it Outside | New romance nerves, a little more privacy, or just enjoying great February weather {perhaps recreate the uber romantic Notting Hill first kiss on a garden bench?}, here are some gorgeous outdoor restaurants we recommend. The complete list, here.
Drunk on Love | Couple dance classes at Rumbar, cocktails at PCO, foosball at Monkey Bar, Muay Thai at Soi7 - it's always great fun to bond over cocktails. First 'official' date? Down some cold beers or delicious potent shots; work wonders to ease some of the pressure! Pick your watering hole, here.
Roll-ing in the Deep | Pushed for time cause you've got other things on your mind? Hey, we're not asking what! Just letting you know some awesome, quick and modest food you can grab on your way to… we're not asking remember! This is how {and where} we roll.
Hello Sunshine | Dinner dates are great, but what have you got planned for the morning after? Allow us to help you out - editions one and two of our breakfast recommendations to the rescue!
Sweet Indulgence | It's the day of indulgence and if you're okay with loosening the purse strings, then head to the Michelin star restaurant Le Cirque at the Leela Palace. They have a special Valentine's day menu planned to make the day extra special as you toast to your love. { INR 14,000 plus taxes}
P.S - they're offering some great deals on booking a room for a night{ INR 25,000 plus taxes} and couples spa { INR 18,900 plus taxes} . Can you feel the love tonight?
SHOP | Can't buy me love, but can buy me lots of other stuff!
Wake up Call | Staying in the morning after, or in the beautiful all-night phone calls stage of your relationship? Our beloved coffee company Blue Tokai has put together some coffee love. Yup, it takes more than just great vodafone rates, so check out the Stroopies Love gift pack that comes with 2 handmade half chocolate heart shaped stroopies and 2 coffees of your choice.
Shady Business | We love Go Spiff for their unique, 60's and 70's inspired and super affordable sunglasses. They’re running a Vintage Valentine Sale, and all orders are packaged with confetti, gift tags, phantom cigarettes, and a whole lotta love. For more information, check this out.
Bum-Chums | If you think Wonder Woman and Superman are sexy, think how sexy your partner and you will look in matching pjs with their motifs! Cotton pjs with superhero motifs, on-trend Aztec prints, his and hers versions, animal prints and the staple checks, you will love the quirky and super comfy selection of pyjamas, boxers and night shorts at BTB. If you're planning to stay in bed this V-day, stay cute and comfortable! Read more about them here.
Dream Kreme | Not that any of Krispy Kreme's donuts were short of being flavour coated drops of heaven, but maybe you aren't quite ready for a ring yet? Check out their Valentine specials - adorable heart, and X and O shaped donuts.
Say Cheese{y} | Lomography cameras work on analogue photography to bring out varying degrees of imperfections in your photographs, which seems to make them more desirable than your perfectly exposed, everyday digital snapshot. For the season, they’ve worked on a Diana F+ lomo-cam, and decorated it with a printed fabric full of love messages, and a flaming red retro-flash! Order here.
Designer Love | DLF Emporio's planned a special Valentine's Day Pop-up store! An assortment of accessories, apparel and object d'art, the products at the Pop-up Store will be designed exclusively by luxury brands and top desingers such as DKNY, Emporio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Canali, and Michael Kors, as well as Satya Paul and Rajesh Pratap Singh. It's up from the 1st - 14th of February, 2014.
EXPERIENCE | Spending all 24 hours together? Here's giving you more to do!
Date Night | Everyone's a different 'date type'. Depending on what holds the focus of your better half's idea of an ideal date - adventure, food, shopping, R & R, whathaveyou - February 14th is the one day you have to get date night right. LBBD Guide to planning the perfect date in Delhi.
Surprise Surprise! | ASAP.co.in are your go-to people to orchestrate and organize personalized surprise gifts and experiences. They do everything from a private serenade under your boyfriend’s balcony, to orchestrating an elaborate weeklong buildup to a proposal, party limousines - pretty much the boss when it comes to personalized surprises.
Rest is Best, honey | Being tired and stressed isn't exactly the ideal mood to be in on Valentine's day {well, any day actually}, and if you're working, living in Delhi and aren't a total hermit, chances are that you're almost always in need of some R & R. Most spas offer couple spa options, our favorite being The Lodhi. LBBD favorites, here.
Around the World on Valentine's Day | Tight schedules might not allow a long enough break, but a good holiday is probably the best way to chill, bond and spend quality time together. On our travel junkie minds - a beach getaway to Goa, a drive down to Jaipur, a roadtrip from Delhi, or surprise your better half with a fancy holiday to one of these places.
Room for Two | If travel is your state of mind, and this night is all you have, an excellent way to make the most of 24 hours is to book an intimate, cosy boutique hotel or B & B, and treat yourselves to a mini holiday within the city. Some of Delhi's finest B & B's and guest houses are right here.