anexpatabroad

“Love is the beauty of the soul.” Saint Augustine

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to think about chocolates, flowers and a romantic dinner. Here’s six places in the capital to celebrate the day of love in style on Friday 14th February.

The Abu Dhabi EDITION

Celebrate all things love at The Abu Dhabi EDITION this Valentine’s Day. Alba Terrace’s Valentine’s All Day Brunch will offer a sharing style mediterrnean menu that can be enjoyed for three-hours at your own pace between 12:30pm and 10:00pm. Taking place on Friday 14th February it’s priced at AED 500 per couple including soft beverages or AED 800 per couple with house beverages.

Alternatively enjoy Abu Dhabi’s newest brunch Annex Animals – the Valentine’s Edition on the rooftop from 1pm – 4pm with tropical themed beverages and bites, make-up artists and variety of music to suit everyone’s taste (AED 350 per person). Keep the festivities going at the After Party from 4 – 7pm with three beverages for just  AED 99. Visit www.annexabudhabi.com for more information and to book.

Why not spoil your loved one at Oak Room, the hotel’s British rock and roll steakhouse, with a specially curated 5-course set menu that’s available from 6 – 11pm (AED 800 per couple including soft beverages).

What’s more romantic than a spa date? The fabulous EDITION Spa is offering three love inspired packages for the ultimate V-Day treat. Choose from RELAX IN THE NAME OF LOVE (exotic hammam bathing ritual, side-by-side massages and mini facials AED 2000 per couple), LOVE THYSELF ( Balinese massage with essential oils and express facial for a happy glow. AED 630 per person) and LOVE IS IN THE HAIR (enchanting curls and bright red polished nails to woo your loved one). Packages available from 13th – 15th February.

Telephone 02 208 0000 or visit www.editionhotels.com/abu-dhabi/ for more information and to book.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, the stylish, luxury hotel located on Al Maryah Island, invites couples to celebrate the day of love in one of their five restaurants. Enjoy a five-course indulgent Italian menu at Café Milano with delights such as fresh oysters, black truffle risotto, pistachio-crusted lamb shoulder and milk chocolate crèmeux with raspberry sorbet (AED 450 per person or order select individual dishes as preferred).

Steak lovers should head to the Hotel’s 1920s inspired authentic Chicago steakhouse, Butcher & Still, for Valentine’s Day specials including passion fruit scented foie gras, Maryland crab soup, Maine lobster, beef rossini and a red velvet cheesecake.

Treat your loved one to a Relaxing Together couples experience at another one of my favourite places in the city, Dahlia Spa. Enjoy 45 minutes in the ultra-luxurious whirlpool followed by a two hour massage and facial experience (Guests booking any 80-minute couples massage will receive an extended complimentary 30-minute private spa whirlpool time along with a Dahlia Spa aroma candle to takeaway. Guests booking a Relaxing Together treatment between 14th & 21st February can avail 20% off the treatment).

Telephone 02 333 2222 or e-mail reservations.abudhabi@fourseasons.com for more information and to book.

Cipriani Yas Island

Celebrate the day of love at Yas Marina with a delicious candle-lit meal and waterfront views at Cipriani. Flowers and decorative touches will set the romantic mood while live musicians will circulate to entertain diners.

Diners can start the evening with a famous Cipriani Bellini, a signature combination of fresh white peach purée and bubbles (I can confirm it’s delightful having tried them at the Cipriani hotel in Venice). Speciality Italian dishes will be served à la carte with menu highlights including pan seared sea scallops, lobster risotto, fillet of sole, roasted veal tenderloin and vanilla meringue with strawberries

Telephone 02 657 5400 or e-mail yasisland@cipriani.com for more information and to make a reservation

Hakkasan Abu Dhabi

My favourite Asian restaurant in the capital, Hakkasan, located at the Emirates Palace is offering a special Valentine’s Day four-course menu featuring some of their most popular signature dishes. Dine under the stars in a private cabana while you spoil your partner with a feast of delights that includes braised gold-leaf lobster dumplings, Valentine’s dim sum duo, charcoal grilled seabass, wok-seared lobster with truffle sauce and raspberry & jasmine tart served with raspberry sorbet.

The Valentine’s menu is available from 7pm – midnight on Friday 14th February for AED 588 per person (with selection of soft drinks) and AED 688 per person (with a champagne cocktail and wines).

Telephone 02 690 7739 or e-mail hakkasan@emiratespalace.ae for more information and to make a reservation.

W Abu Dhabi

Indulge in an epicurean Friday brunch at the newly rebranded W Abu Dhabi on 14th February. Feast on gastronomy from around the globe and handcrafted beverages at the B.I.G Brunch at Garage restaurant from 12.30pm – 4.00pm.

Guests can visit the Steam Table, Nikkei House, Mezza Bar, Meat Vault and Tart Van for a diverse range of flavours and dishes. Sample the array of different beverages on tap at the Tap Wall (From AED 250 per person with an additional special 14% Valentines discount). Telephone 02 656 0000 for more information and to book or visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auhwh-w-abu-dhabi-yas-island/

Anantara Eastern Mangroves

Does Thai food ignite your passion? Enjoy a spicy four-course dinner at Pachaylen with Thai classics such as green papaya salad, Tom Yum soup, green curry, chili Pad Thai and traditional desserts served in a romantic setting complimented by live music (AED 395 with soft drinks and AED 495 including house beverages) 14th February 2020 from 7pm – 11pm. Telephone 02 656 1100 or visit www.anantara.com/en/eastern-mangroves-abu-dhabi to book.

Treat your other half to a special couple’s spa experience at the Anantara Spa, enjoy a 60-minute full body massage of choice and a 30-minute nourishing facial. Lastly, soak in a rose petal milk bath made of essential oils and natural ingredients. Available 1st – 29th February from 10am – 11pm for AED 1,700 per couple. Email easternmangroves_spa@anantara.com for more information or visit www.anantara.com/en/eastern-mangroves-abu-dhabi/offers/spa-by-design

Love Valentine’s Day or Hate it? Single and looking to shun all the hearts and flowers? Anti-Valentines events are happening around the capital. Irish pub PJ O’Reilly’s, at the Royal Meridien, will be holding their annual Anti-Valentine’s Day brunch on Friday 14th February from 1 – 4pm. (Packages start from AED 199 per person). Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant at Park Rotana is having  an Anti-Valentine’s Party on Thursday 13th February from 8pm onwards with some great offers on drinks such as buy 1 get 1 free on selected beverages, selected shots and cocktails from AED 25.

Saadiyat Beach Club is offering romantic dinner options from 6.30pm on February 14th but from 10:30pm till 3:00am it’s all about the singles at their Anti Valentine’s Day Party. Featuring DJ Kaboo x Saif and Sound the anti-V day bash will offer complimentary drinks for ladies until 1:00am. Telephone 02 656 3500 or e-mail info@saadiyatbeachclub.ae

All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2020. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of the respective venues.