What to do for Valentine’s Day? Want to make an occasion of it but don’t know how? We’ve come to the rescue with an inspiring array of options in Oxfordshire, from five course dinners to biscuit boxes and hampers. Fill your boots, gain some serious brownie points and support your local pubs, cafes and restaurants.
Yellow Submarine, Witney and Oxford – the social enterprise has introduced a Valentine’s box full of heart shaped home-made biscuits, available for delivery or click and collect at http://www.yellowsubmarineshop.org
The Mole Inn, Toot Baldon – A sharing Valentine’s Box for 2 to prepare at home might be just the ticket and don’t worry, it’s comes with full instructions! To begin – rosemary focaccia, olives, almond & tomato pesto. Sharing starters include tiger prawns, chilli & ginger butter, lime aioli and the duck liver parfait, pear & roscoff onion chutney, sour dough crisps. Dive into aged shorthorn rib and fillet of beef, truffled celeriac, pressed potato, miso glazed carrots & bone marrow jus and for dessert – sticky toffee pudding, roast apple, vanilla cream & toffee sauce. Plus a bottle of Prosecco. £80. For orders email http://info@themoleinn.com
Oxford Fine Dining – SOLD OUT https://www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk
The Star, Sparsholt – This finish at home box for two people includes a cocktail to start – blood orange and rose gin cocktail with handmade truffle crisps. Then tuck into homemade bread with whipped smoked butter while waiting for your starter of cured Loch Duart salmon, saffron, cucumber, kohlrabi, whipped crème fraiche. For mains ale braised beef feather blade, bacon, honey roast carrot, black garlic pomme puree and a trio of desserts, plus homemade chocolate truffles to finish. £80 for two. Please call to book – 01235 751873 or email – info@thestarsparsholt.co.uk. Collection on Saturday 13th between 3pm and 7:30pm.
White House for Tap Social, Oxford – Celebrate Valentine’s Day (or the weekend in general) with an at home dinner for two designed to be shared. Choose from the Omnivore or Vegetarian menu to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home on Saturday 13 February. Wine for this menu has been picked by L’Altre Vi, Oxford’s own wine company. Tap Social beer is also available. All dishes will be ready to heat up where necessary. Instructions are provided. Orders close at 8pm Thursday evening. Collection is from the White House by Tap Social on Saturday 13th February between 3pm-6pm. https://shoptapsocialmovement.com/collections/valentines-day
White Hart, Wytham – SOLD OUT https://whitehartwytham.com/food/
215, Summertown – SOLD OUT http://www.twoonefive.co.uk/takeaway
Killingworth Castle, Wootton – Another new entry with a delicious 3-course prepared menu designed to be enjoyed at home and available 13th & 14th February. Enjoy Mark’s sourdough, whipped butter, for starters a pave of cured lock duart salmon, pickled cucumber, fennel and radish salad, then a slow cooked duck leg, spiced red cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli, orange and chicory marmalade sauce completed with a chocolate fondant, Yorkshire rhubarb, candied pistachio and then some chocolate and passion fruit truffles. Vegetarians can sample pickled beetroots, fennel & radish salad, goats curd candied walnuts and then a butternut squash stuffed with aubergine, celery, apple with pine nut caponata, toasted pumpkin seeds, godminster cheese sauce. £35 per person. https://www.thekillingworthcastle.com/valentines-at-home-menu
The Coconut Tree, St Clements – Feel the love this Valentine’s Day with a free ‘Cheesy Columbo’ (fried cheese cubes mix in lightly spiced sticky sauce) when you order from their Valentines takeaway menu which opened today (Feb 8) Just use promo code ‘CheesyLove’ to claim with every order. https://menus.preoday.com/The-Coconut-Tree/#/main/venue/menu
Native Feasts – Oxfordshire, will be like culinary cherubs dropping feasts at the door on Friday 12th Feb with a special Valentine’s weekend feast. Expect an Italiano-inspired menu packed full of flavour & seasonal produce to be eaten at any point over the weekend. £29.50 per person. There is a 6 person discount and NHS workers get £7.50 off each order. https://www.nativeathome.co.uk
Wedding cake maker Charlie Donohoe from Oxford has diversified her business due to lockdown by creating a range of handmade fudge decorated with edible flowers – a perfect sweet treat for your valentine. http://www.charlottejanecakes.co.uk
The Fox at Middle Barton has a special Valentine’s Day take away menu. Choose from lamb confit, sea bass and wild mushroom risotto with indulgent chocolate brownies for pud. To order email enquiries@middlebartonfox.co.uk or call 01869 349147.
No 1 Ship Street, Oxford – not to be outdone have two Valentine’s menus for you to choose from and run from Thursday – Sunday. The first ‘Meal for two with wine – costs £80 and the second ‘Celebratory Meal for two with bubbles’ comes to £120. Delivery for orders over £50 within a 3 mile radius. 30% discount on the full Wine List (while stocks last). 01865 806637 or https://www.no1shipstreet.com
Gourdans, Oxford – those who like steak are in for a treat because Gourdans has restarted its takeaway in time for Valentine’s. Definitely one of the vest takeaway in Oxford. READ OUR REVIEW HERE: http://551.326.mywebsitetransfer.com/review-new-steak-frites-delivery-service-makes-a-change-from-festivals-for-oxfordshires-gourdans/
To order go to: https://gourdans.co.uk/#menu
Pompette, Summertown – SOLD OUT https://www.pompetterestaurant.co.uk
Eyston Arms, East Hendred. SOLD OUT
Fallow & Fields Valentine’s Surf & Turf Box, Nuneham Courtenay. £60 for two which includes moules marinieres, steak, triple cooked chips, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, prawns and chilli, a red wine and shallot sauce and then a chocolate fondant with salted caramel sauce and ice cream. Sound pretty good to us! https://www.fallowandfields.com/products/valentines-dinner-box?variant=37962734371006
Wells Farmshop near Abingdon has a Valentine’s Day box rammed with ribeye steak, Colston Bassett Stilton, Prosecco and a wild mushroom sauce. http://www.wellsfarmshop.com
Waggon and Horses, Southmoor – Push the boat out and allow head chef Martin Sherriff to provide some seriously sexy food. Think queen scallops in their shell with a black bomber herb crust, fillet steak wellington with creamed potato, roast shallot, pickled mushrooms and port jus or lobster poached on bisque with buttered leeks and mussels. Complete with a dark chocolate device with vanilla cream, chocolate crumb and orange. Throw in some table decorations, roses & candles, plus an instruction card and cooking demonstrations for the re-heating) Four courses, £95 for two. To order email info@thewaggonandhorsessouthmoor.com
The Fishes at Hinksey, The Fleece at Witney, The Bear and Ragged Staff in Cumonor and The Thatch in Thame are running a Valentine’s Peach at Home Box. Enjoy three delicious courses, delivered free to your door within 6 miles of the pub), on Friday 12th February. Decide the box for you. There’s a three course Aubrey Allen Fillet Wellington Box for £70, or the 28 Day Dry-aged 16oz Cote de Boeuf to share Box, for £75. Add a bottle of wine or a cocktail (or two), and let us do the rest. https://makinglifepeachy.com/peach-at-home/
The Chester Arms, East Oxford – yes you can treat your loved one with their infamous steak platter with all the trimmings, plus brownies from Barefoot Oxford and cupcakes from Nood Ltd. There is also the veggie mezze or fish and chips on the menu. Now that’s what we call a feast. Call 01865 790438 for collection.
Skogen Kitchen, Oxford – has branched into delivering their famous Skandi buns in freezer packs ready for you to bake at home. Tried and tested we can’t recommend them enough. Perfect for Valentine’s morning? https://skogen.kitchen/scandinavian-buns-at-home/
Kuba Winkowski – The acclaimed local chef has helped compile a Valentine’s Day box of bread, charcuterie, smoked fish, butter and more for you to enjoy, especially the Eastern European specialties like Royal Siberian Attilus caviare with buckwheat blinis, Kuba’s special smoked Polish kielbasa, pork loin or beautiful sturgeon, 100% dark sourdough rye bread with hand churned, cultured butter made from Cotswold cream. A unique selection of truly artisan products made on a very small scale, using the best locally sourced produce. https://www.attiluscaviar.co.uk/products/valentines-day-hamper
Oakman Inns, three Oxfordshire pubs – Blue Boar Witney, Crown & Thistle Abingdon and Old Post Office Wallingford – has launched their ‘Oakman At Home’ kits’ ‘Romantic Valentine’s Feast for Two’ (see main pic) plus some all-important instructions and video and a bottle of Prosecco, which can be upgraded to champagne. Pop the cork to accompany nibbles while the first course – Aubergine Parmigiana Ravioli served with Focaccia is baking. This is followed by a choice of two main courses – Dry Aged British Sirloin Steak with triple cooked chips and peppercorn sauce or a Baked Mushroom Wellington – both of which are accompanied by Caramelised Onion Cauliflower Gratin, Cavolo Nero and Roasted Garlic. Share the tantalisingly sweet Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with passion fruit (of course) and hot white chocolate sauce. Prices start at £70 for two and must be ordered by midday on Monday February 8. for delivery on Friday 12 or Saturday 13 February. https://www.oakmanathome.co.uk/valentine
The Edge Eatery, Witney – Dinner Date night in a box for one or two to prep.
Order by 9th Feb so get your orders in quick as there are limited boxes available. Three courses for two £60. Collect on Sunday 14. Box includes a red rose, handmade fudge, fresh chocolate coated strawberries and a candle.
Ring 07896953194 to order.
The Cinnamon Stick, Middle Barton – how about a Middle Eastern sharing menu for two? And there are two menus to choose from, both equally delicious, the only difference is one is fully vegetarian and can be fully vegan. Pre-order from the beginning of next week, with the menu available for takeaway on 12th, 13th & 14th February. https://www.thecinnamonstick.co.uk
White Hart Fyfield – SOLD OUT
Wild Thyme, Chipping Norton – Has a deluxe Take Me Home menu for Saturday 13th for collection or delivery. Nibbles include Sicilian olives & peppers, smoked almonds, homemade bread, then to start a tomato, red pepper & sweet potato soup, sour cream & chives soup, a classic steak Diane, rich Paris mushroom, cream sauce, dauphinois & winter greens for mains, or a double baked Gorgonzola cheese souffle, local honey, hazelnuts and a rich dark chocolate fondant, raspberry centre, clotted cream, finished off with chocolate truffles. £100 for two. I’m in! http://www.wildthymerestaurant.co.uk
Branca, Jericho. Choose from beef wellington, luxury fish pie and lots of vegetarian options too from the Branca At Home menu. phone 01865 553748 or email info@branca.co.uk. Pick up from the Branca deli next door on Saturday. Why not throw in some Prosecco, pudding, starters and truffles too? http://www.branca.co.uk
The Oxshed Cafe, Preston Crowmarsh: Smoked salmon mousse bruschetta followed by beef wellington, dauphinoise potato, green beans with garlic butter, shallot puree and bone marrow, red wine jus and then a lemon, rose petal & pistachio roulade, with raspberry coulis chocolate truffles! I think so! Collection only on Sunday 14th February between 3pm – 5pm. £65 for 2. https://www.cartshed.co.uk/product-page/sunday-14th-february-valentine-s-menu-for-two
Waterfront Cafe, Benson has a lovely Valentine’s menu for two – 2 x 10oz ribeye steaks, grilled tomato, Portabello mushroom, peppercorn sauce and house chips and a chocolate torte and a lemon cheesecake for afters. £40 for two. Or try their fish platter – perfect for sharing. Available 12-14th Feb. Call on 01491 833732
If you have a Valentine’s Day offering we don’t know about email info@oxinabox.co.uk
KATHERINE MACALISTER
