If you’re planning on taking a special someone out for dinner this Valentine’s Day, then the last thing you want is a dodgy meal spoiling your romantic evening.
To help cupid work his magic this year, we’re bringing you the Valentine’s Day menu’s from some of Sussex’s finest award-winning, Michelin starred restaurants and gastropubs.
Here are the best Valentine's Day menu's in Sussex (in no particular order)...
1. Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, Cuckfield, West Sussex
Ockenden Manor is a charming Elizabethan Manor House tucked away in the pretty Tudor village of Cuckfield, set in nine acres of peaceful gardens with views across the West Sussex countryside.
The restaurant has achieved numerous awards and currently holds one Michelin star.
MENU: Set six course
PRICE: £102.00 per person + matching Wine Flight £49.00 per person
- Goats Cheese - Beetroot & Orange Salad. Wine match -Trebbiano Rubicone, Corte Viola, Italy, 2009
- Carlingford Oysters - Fresh, Rockefeller, Fricassée. Wine match - Le Claux Delorme, Minchin, France, 2009
- Sorbet - Pink Grapefruit & Champagne
- Balcombe Wild Duck - Cep Mashed Potato, Roasted Root Vegetables, Orange Sauce, Stuffing. Wine match - Zigolo, Monti Sabini, 2008, Italy
- Hazelnut Macaroon - White Chocolate, Raspberry Sorbet, Rose. Wine match - Château Cameron, Sauternes, 2006
- Coffee - Petits Fours
2. Newick Park Hotel & Country Estate, Newick, NR Lewes, East Sussex
Head Chef Chris Moore heads up a brigade of dedicated chefs who produce the most fabulous food, with much of its fruit and vegetables coming from its own Walled Garden. Game comes from the estate during the winter months and all the food is sourced as locally as possible.
The restaurant has held a multi Rosette Status since we opened in 1996, and is regarded as one of the foremost restaurant in Sussex. Ideal if you're look for that Downton Abbey feel.
MENU: A La Carte
PRICE: £55 per person
First Courses
- Confit Duck, Chicken and Foie Gras Terrine, truffled Green Bean Salad
- Scallop and Basil Tortelloni, crab Bisque
- Blood Orange and Beetroot Salad, goats Curd and Toasted Walnuts
- Serrano Ham with Poached Hens egg, Jerusalem Artichokes and Chicken Reduction
Fish Course
- Paupiette of Smoked Salmon, Wild Rocket and Lemon Dressing
Main Courses
- Breast of Guinea Fowl with Thyme Boudin, coco Beans and Garlic Creamed Cabbage
Fillet of Beef with Pommery Mustard Croquette, Shallot Puree, Fondant Carrots and Purple Sprouting - Roast Turbot Fillet, Mussel, Saffron and Leek Broth
- Potato and Root Vegetable Pithivier, Melted Onions, Spinach and Beurre Blanc
Puddings
- Assiette of Mini Puddings (To Share)
- Banana and Lime Ravioli, Coconut Cream
- Hot Chocolate Fondant, Blood Orange (Please Allow 10 Minutes)
- Farmhouse Cheeses with Grape Chutney and Wheat Biscuits
3. The Mirabelle Restaurant, The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne
With two AA rosettes and four RAC dining awards under its belt, The Mirabelle Restaurant in Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel has been voted one of the fifty best restaurants in the UK by The Independent newspaper, while boasting a regular spot in the Good Food Guide.
The Mirabelle Restaurant serves modern European food featuring seasonal produce overseen by head chef Gerald Roser who plays creatively with texture and flavour, ensuring that his food really stands apart on the local restaurant scene.
MENU: Six course set
PRICE: £70 per person, £99 with matched wines
Velouté of Oyster Mushrooms and Fennel
Ballotine of Port marinated Quail salad with Pomegranate dressing
Seared Diver Scallops, Asparagus Tempura and Truffle sauce
****
‘Surf and Turf’ - Tournedos Fillet of Scottish Beef, Langoustine Thermidor, Potato Mille-feuille, Fennel confit and Parsley Purée
****
Pre Dessert:Mini Dark Chocolate Fondant with Red Berry Cream
****
Pineapple Cannelloni with Lime & Passion Fruit syrup,Mango Air and Piña Colada Sorbet
****
Coffee and Petits Fours
4. The Curlew, Bodiam, East Sussex
The Curlew restaurant in Bodiam was awarded its first Michelin Star last year, an incredible feat considering the East Sussex restaurant opened just 18 months ago.
Since its launch the restaurant has received rave reviews from The Times, The Observer, The Telegraph and The Spectator, whilst also scooping The 2011 Sussex Food Awards’ ‘Best Eating Experience’
MENU: A la carte
PRICE: £65.00 per person
OLIVES AND SNACKS
****
QUAIL EGG & BROTH
****
SEAFOOD CHARCUTERIE (For Two) - A selection of fishy things to share
GUINEA FOWL - Pressing of legs, pickled breast, blood orange salad
SCALLOPS - Hand dived king scallops, cauliflower puree, raisins, curry spices
DUCK (For Two) - Whole roast Gressingham duck, onion marmalade potatoes, wild mustard leaves
BEEF - Slow cooked short rib, marrowbone, parsley, onion rings
SEA BASS - Line caught fillet, tarragon emulsion, barley
Chocolate and Profiteroles Banana, Hazelnut & popcorn (For Two)
BRULEE - Lemon burnt cream, thyme ice cream
TREACLE - Treacle tart, rhubarb ripple, ginger
COFFEE & PETIT FOURS
5. Drakes Restaurant, Brighton, East Sussex
The Restaurant At Drakes is a 2 AA Rosette award winning restaurant providing sumptuous cuisine and fine dining in the heart of Brighton. Opening 4 years ago, Drakes is a multi-award winning restaurant for not just the amazing food but also for design and service.
The highly acclaimed head chef, Andrew MacKenzie is renowned for creating exquisite modern European cuisine using the highest quality food and locally sourced where possible.
MENU: A la carte
PRICE: £49.95 per person + £30 pp for wine matching
Starters
- Chervil root soup with poached quail egg and celery salt
- Uig lodge smoked salmon with dill and lemon oil
- Pheasant terrine with winter truffles, Madeira jelly and fig chutney
Main Courses
- Fillet of Scottish beef with potato rosti, spinach, baby carrots and red wine sauce
- Pan-roast fillet of halibut with creamed potato, baby leeks, poached oyster and caviar cream
- Truffle potato gnocchi with chestnuts, spinach and pecorino cream sauce
Desserts
- Assiette of chocolate made for two to share
- Chocolate negus, rich chocolate sorbet and white chocolate mousse
- Passionfruit bavarois with passionfruit sorbet
Selection of British and Continental cheeses with water crackers and walnut & sultana bread
Coffee, tea and petit fours
6. The Beach Bistro @ The Gallivant Hotel, Camber
I’ve included the Beach Bistro on account of increasing positive reviews and an excellent culinary ethic. The Bistro is light and bright with a blend of natural wood colours and shades of blue which complete the seaside stage for the culinary presentation by chef Trevor Hambley. Trevor's menu follows the seasons and products are sourced almost exclusively from suppliers within 15 miles radius of the restaurant.
MENU: A la carte
PRICE: £25 per person
TRIO OF STARTERS TO SHARE
- Warm Dungeness salt cod with garlic toast
- Romney marsh game terrine, Gallivant winter chutney
- Crisp ‘what the boat bought in’ local fish
FEASTING DISHES TO SHARE
- Roast Pett Level salt marsh leg of lamb, fresh herbs,potato gratin dauphinois
- Roast Rye bay gurnard, brown shrimp potato cake, saffron orange hollandaise
- both served with Purple sprouting broccoli
PUDDINGS
- Pear and almond tart with crème fraîche
- Rice pudding with Kent apple cinnamon fritters
- Hot chocolate and raspberry fondant with pistachio ice cream
7. The Cat Inn, West Hoathly, West Sussex
Max Leonard, its head chef, and his team offer great pub food that is freshly prepared using the freshest and finest local ingredients. The menus attached are examples of what we offer and do change regularly to reflect the changing seasons.
The Cat Inn is a regular in the Good Food Guide and this year received a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide (that means its very good!).
MENU: A la carte
PRICE: £40 per person
Wild Mushroom and Almond Soup with Rosemary Pesto
Starters
- Duck Liver and Foie Gras Parfait, Potted Duck, with Red Onion Marmalade and Melba Toast
- Organic Smoked Salmon Trio :Hot Smoked Loin, Cold Locally Smoked Tartar and Mousse Croutes and Dressed Watercress
- Smoked Tofu,Chestnut and Tamari Bake, Port Reduction and Shiso Leaves
- Sharing Board of Charcuterie, Olives, Dips and Condiments, Warm Bread and Croutes
Mains
- Brooklands Farm Black Leg Chicken, Roast Breast and Mini Short Crust Pie, Pommes Puree, Sussex Vegetables and Jus
- Herb Crusted Rack of Sussex Lamb, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Sussex Greens, Vichy Carrots and Jus
- Baked Stuffed Portobello Mushroom, Gratinated with Jersualem Artichoke and Leek,Blue Cheese Croquettes, Truffled Rocket and Parmesan Salad
- Paupiette of Lemon Sole Fillet and Lobster, Crushed Pink Fir Potatoes, Wilted Spinach and Bouillabaisse Sauce
Desserts
- Warm Choclate Fondand, White Chocolate Ice Cream
- Passion Fruit Trio, Caramelised Tart, Jelly and Sorbet
- Individual Banoffee Pie, Caramelised Banana, Honeycomb Ice Cream
- Vanilla Panna Cotta, Champagne Rhubarb
Selection of Local Artisan Cheeses & Biscuits - Homemade Chutney (£3.50 Supplement) (Isle of Avalon, Plaw Hatch Cheddar, Flower Marie and Barkham Blue)
Tea/Coffee
Truffles
Got an awesome menu that's not included here? Send it in to steve@devoursussex.com for consideration.