YOU might think Valentine's Day is a big commercial stunt in aid of the card manufacturers but unless you're absolutely certain your partner feels the same way, you'd better be planning something good.
Buy a card, buy some flowers, and book a table somewhere special. The elegant City Café near Piccadilly station is putting on a particularly tempting Valentine's menu, starting with a strawberry bellini to get you in the mood.
Dining at City Café is an worthwhile experience whether you're there for the love of your partner or for the love of good food. Their chef Michael Campbell impressed the Confidential editor Jonathan Schofield when he last ate there (and he's not easily won over). Read about it here.
Below is the Valentine's Menu that Michael will be serving up on the 10, 11 and 14 February.
Book ahead because it'll be popular. Just call City Café on 0161 242 1020.
City Café Valentine's Menu
Strawberry Bellini on arrival
Starters
Minted pea soup with pear and crayfish tails
Seared tuna salad pickled cucumber and soy dressing
Smoked Gressingham duck with lambs lettuce and black cherry dressing
Mains
Fillet of Cheshire beef, truffle mash, spinach and wild mushroom
Fillet of cod, crisp polenta, broccoli and a broad bean sauce
Wild mushroom and ricotta pie (V)
Desserts
After Eight chocolate marquis, white chocolate ice cream
Champagne and strawberry jelly with passion fruit and yoghurt sorbet
Selection of local and French cheeses, oatcakes and homemade chutney
Tea, coffee and petit fours
£50 per person
