Are you worried about what to do for Valentine’s without getting ripped off in the name of love? Well, fear not! We understand your predicament. Yes, you need to show your Valentine you care, but at the same time you don’t want to splash out stupid money for a table strewn with horrid thermocol hearts and awful service. We get it! So, we’ve rummaged through a pile of offers – some good, some bad and some downright ridiculous and we’ve put a list together of those that are good value for money. We haven’t set a budget; we’ve just weighed what you get in return for your hard earned money. Here’s our list of VFM deals.
1. Sea Fu at Four Seasons Jumeirah
It’s certainly a romantic location and you expect to be surrounded by candles accompanied by a cool sea breeze. You can also expect a special Asian menu prepared for the day, live music and a red rose for the ladies. You’ll have complimentary access to the private beach front if you fancy a romantic stroll by the sea after dinner.
PS. If you fancy Arabic cuisine instead, Suq at the same hotel has exactly the same offer.
Location Jumeirah Beach Road Cost per couple Dh2000 including four course set menu and grape pairing Date Feb 14 Timings 7pm Bookings 04 270 7777
2. Alta Badia at Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Sometimes all you need is good company and a view to make things special. And 2000 feet above the city could just possibly do that for you.
If you book into this elegant, art deco themed Italian restaurant you’d have panoramic views of Downtown Dubai and a set menu for the both of you on Valentine’s Day. On your arrival, each couple will be greeted with an aperitif and chef’s special amuse bouche. For your four course menu you can expect some Tuna Tartare, Parmesan Consommé, with poultry and plum ravioli, Artichoke crusted codfish with potato cream and Rack of Lamb caponata served with rosemary jus. Dessert includes a molten chocolate dome with passion fruit sauce, and ivory and strawberry parfait hearts. An Italian opera singer will serenade couples throughout the evening.
Location Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC Cost per couple Dh700 Date The special menu will be available for dinner every evening from February 11 to 14 Timings 6pm to midnight Bookings 04 432 3232
3. Fume at Pier 7
There’s are few who don’t love Fume and so it’s only fitting they’d change their no-booking policy this Valentine’s Day all in the name of love.
So if you book here on V-Day, you can expect to be served up some fresh and Italian Burrata with strawberries and balsamic and Fois Gras terrine with berry jam to start; Pink Beef Sliders, King Shrimp gratin and Beetroot crusted Salmon as mains and dessert will see you tucking into black forest chocolate pudding with cherry ice cream or white chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries or raspberries.
Location Pier 7, Level 1, Dubai Marina Cost per couple Dh598 with unlimited house beverages; Dh444 for food only Date Feb 14 Timings Noon to 2am Bookings 04 421 5669
4. Bateaux Dubai on the Creek
If you’re going to spend money on Valentine's Day, you might as well make it a little unique.
The two and a half hour Bateaux dinner cruise starts with a glass of bubbly and a small box of chocolates on your private table, followed by a special five course Valentine's menu, freshly prepared on board with unlimited house beverages. You can also enjoy a limousine drop off after you return.
Location Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai Cost per couple Dh1600 Date Feb 14 Timings Boarding from 7.45pm to 8.15pm; Departure 8.30pm; Return 11pm Bookings 04 814 5553
5. Pai Thai at Madinat Jumeirah
If you fancy a bit of Thai this Valentine’s, Pai Thai at the Madinat is serving up some proper Thai love.
You will first embark on a romantic Abra ride on the Madinat waterways with your Valentine, where upon arrival at the restaurant, you will be greeted by a traditional Thai dancer before you're served dinner.
You can expect a four course sharing menu and two glasses of pink bubbly; starters include, Chor Muang – a beautifully presented pink flower chicken dumpling and the Hoy Nang Rom Yam Ma-Muang, an oyster tempura served with a sour mango salad with lime sauce. Before the main course a flavoursome crab meat soup filled with coconut shoots, garlic, carrots and oyster sauce will be served. Main course options include a spicy wok fried lobster dish or a braised Massaman beef curry served with coconut milk, sweet potato and peanuts. For dessert you can expect the traditional Thai sweet sticky rice with ripe mango drizzled with coconut syrup.
Location Madinat Jumeirah Cost per couple Dh900 with a glass of bubbly each Date February 12 to 14 Timings 6.30pm to 11.30pm Bookings 04 4323232
6. Pierchic at Al Qasr
This over-the-water restaurant is on our Most Romantic Restaurants list so gentlemen be warned the stunning views may see you experience a heady feeling that could result in a proposal of some sort.
On February 14 you can expect Head Chef Rosalind Parsk’s special five course set menu that will include the restaurant’s signature dishes as well as some new creations, complemented by vintage grape pairing. You can kick off the night with fresh oysters - pick the champagne vinegar over the red wine vinegar - and bubbly before dining on a Foi Gras Pyramid served with cured Duck salad and figs. This will be followed by Grilled Sea Scallop presented on parmesan foam and accompanied with truffle creamed potato. A Wild Mushroom Soup with chicken and truffle tortellini is also an option. For the main course, a selection of Pan Fried Atlantic Halibut or Beef Tenderloin can be had. Dessert will include a signature Pierchic dessert, coffee and Petit Four.
Location Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah Cost per couple Dh2500 with grape pairing Date Feb 14 Timings 6.30pm to 11.30pm Bookings 04 432 3232
7. Level 42 at the Shangri-La
If you’re feeling special and you’re hoping to make your Valentine feel even more so, there’s nothing better than making things super exclusive.
Even though it’s a little pricey, at Level 42 of the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai, you can book one of only four tables for a gourmet Italian Valentine’s meal for two. The exclusivity kind of makes it worth it.
You can expect private service as you savour a seven-course feast, from fresh oysters and Beluga caviar, to lobster saltimbocca and lamb shank ossobucco. You will also be serenaded by a live guitarist while you sip on your unlimited bubbly and grape pairing.
Location Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai Cost per couple Dh4,200 with unlimited bubbles Date Feb 14 Timings 7pm to midnight Bookings 04 405 2703 Website www.shangri-la.com/dubai
8. Segreto at Souq Madinat Jumeirah
Another stunning restaurant that has made it onto our Most Romantic list, Segreto, is a good choice if you’re looking to enjoy good Italian food amidst picturesque waterways and summer houses of the Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
Tables will be dressed with fresh rose petals and you will be presented with ornate Venetian masks on arrival creating an evening of intrigue. You can expect a specially crafted four-course set menu including Balik salmon, black bream quenelle, Sevruga caviar, Foie gras terrine, Coffee-scented homemade pasta, red prawns and lobster ragout, Chilean Seabass fillet, mascarpone, purple potato chips, Hare leg confit, saddle stew, fava and peas.
Location Souq Madinat Jumeirah Cost per couple Dh650 including a glass of Berries Rossini Date Feb 7 to 14 Timings 6pm to 11pm Bookings 04 432 3232
9. Private Cabana at The Address Dubai Mall
Not to be confused with the Address Downtown Dubai that suffered a fire on NYE, The Address Dubai Mall has set the stage for romance with a chic al fresco dining experience where you can have your own private cabana by the pool. Savour a sumptuous meal as you revel in the iconic views of Burj Khalifa and enjoy a live saxophone performance, plus the spins of resident DJ Jane.
Location The Address Dubai Mall Cost per couple Dh2,450 with a free bottle O’ bubs in your own private cabana Date Feb 12-13 Timings 7pm to 11pm Bookings 04 888 3444 Website www.theaddress.com
10. The Ivy at Jumeirah Emirates Towers
It might not be the most imaginative thing to do for Valentine’s Day, but we know what we’re going to get and it’s not going to be an in-your-face V-Day, which some of us actually prefer. Good food is good times.
You can pick from two Valentine’s menu options. The first being ‘The Taste of The Ivy’ which is the restaurant’s signature, seven-course degustation menu that includes Fin de Clair oysters, Seared Foie Gras, Thai-Baked Sea bass, Salt Bush Lamb Rack, Australian Grain-Fed Fillet of Beef and The Ivy’s infamous Crackle Bomb with Dark and White Chocolate for dessert.
The lighter menu – which is a three-course prix fixe table d’hôte menu of breakfast and lunch favourites - is also available and includes hors d’oeuvres choices such as Shellfish Cocktail, Aromatic Duck Salad or Steak Tartare; entrées options ranging from Mixed Grilled Seafood, Roast Monkfish to Baked Macaroni Cheese and Chicken Ballontine with Pumpkin fondant, girolles and ceps veloute and a number of signature dishes to choose from. Desserts choices include Chocolate Fondue, Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding or Scandinavian Iced Berries with hot white chocolate sauce.
Location Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC Cost per couple Dh1000 (either menu and unlimited soft drinks); Dh1600 (either menu with unlimited house beverages); Dh2000 (either menu with pink bubbles and house beverages) Date Feb 14 Timings Dinner will be served in two sittings, either 6 to 9pm or 9.15pm to 12.15am Bookings 04 432 3232
11. Private Beach Dining Experience
There’s little that compares to dining next to the ocean and our friends down at the Waldorf Astoria on the Dubai Palm Jumeirah clearly know this.
For Valentine’s Day the hotel has organised private cabanas on the beach with breathtaking sea views of the Dubai skyline and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Your personal concierge will welcome you and guide you to a candle lit beach-side cabana where a feast of gastronomic delicacies will be served up. You can expect the beachside dinner experience to come with live entertainment and a special romantic set up.
Location Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Cost per couple Dh2000 Date Feb 11-15 Timings 7pm to 11pm Bookings 04 818 2222
12. The Act at the Shangri-La Dubai
If your Valentine loves a bit of drama and the Gypsy Kings, this offer is probably going to be the best surprise this year.
Featuring live bohemian-style music by Gipsy Moreno coupled with a sharing Peruvian menu, The Act always ends up being a legendary night out.
You will have a choice of two set menus, but we say go the whole hog and get the Dh2000 package, which includes a bottle of bubbly per couple.
Location Shangri-La Dubai, Shaikh Zayed Road Cost per couple Dh2000 with a bottle of bubbly Date Feb 14 Timings 8.30pm to 3am Bookings 04 355 1116
13. Aqua at the JW Marriott Marquis
An exceptionally good deal this Valentine’s Day is one at Aqua, where you can enjoy a romantic evening beneath the stars, while you dine on the restaurant’s terrace beside a heated pool.
Some highlights from the five course menu include Gillardeau oysters, confit prawns, king crab, foie gras terrine and roasted Japanese Wagyu. The offer also includes a bottle of bubbles per couple. Insane! If you fancy this offer you’d better hurry; there are a limited number of exclusive candlelit tables available.
Location JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, Shaikh Zayed Road Cost per couple Dh1200 including a bottle of bubbly Timings 11am to 9pm Bookings 04 414 3000
