Valentine’s Day, the SW6 way

Cardboard cut-out hearts loom over the ready meal aisle in every supermarket, Paperchase has turned pink overnight, and boyfriends everywhere (well, at least in my flat) are complaining about the 'racket' that is the 14th February set dinner sharing menu, which has replaced the normal selection in all our favourite restaurants.

It can only mean one thing. Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and SW6 is about to be divided into its two traditional camps for this time of year: Smug Couples and Singletons.

If romance makes you run for the hills, the good folk of London’s bubbliest borough have got a wide range of ideas to make sure you spend the day in style.

Single and ready to mingle? Why not try…

Honk it you're horny this Valentine's Day at Honky Tonk

This year join the singles party on 14th February at Honky Tonk Chelsea & Honky Tonk Clapham and Honky If You're Horny!

Each table will have a very special cupids horn on it and when you see a certain someone who catches your eye, give it a good squeeze and let them know that they could be your valentine's this year!

Power ballads and lover's rock at Maggie's 

Maggie's 80s club in Chelsea will be dedicating their decks to Power Ballads and Lover's Rock for Valentine's. The dress code with be appropriately themed 'denim and big hair' and to really get the party started, the first fifty lovers will get a 'love is the drug' shooter on arrival.
Then, in homage to the only calendar eve of the year when 'Smooching Selfies' are 'totes apropes' Maggie's will be running a competition to see who can tweet the best kissagram with the winner receiving a complimentary fishbowl cocktail sharer.

Valentine's Day Toga Party at BungaBunga

This year BungaBunga in Battersea will be harping back to their Roman roots, in celebration of one of history's greatest love affairs, between the infamous Cleopatra and Mark Anthony with a Traditional Toga Valentine's Party.

The dress code will be titillating toga attire, of course and the night will see guest enjoy not just a feast fit for emperors but also an array of amphitheatre worthy entertainment in the form of love song karaoke.

Fun for all Foodies

Jess and I  both admit to being total foodies, we love eating out, trying new foods and indulging wherever possible. Dukan diet aside, on any given midweek evening one of us will undoubtedly be at a local restaurant enjoying the culinary delights that SW6 has to offer.

When the 'Foodies Festival' came to Battersea Park there was only one person I could take as my guest, my highly talented best friend and supremo chef Elizabeth. We arrived ravenous and left replete, it was a perfect day. Highlights included sumptuous fresh oysters with the perfect dash of Tabasco, basking in the sunshine by the Pimms tent and a spicy Moroccan lunch which left our tongue's tingling. 

The event had an informal lively atmosphere yet there was enough room to poke around the various stalls munching on the tasters as we went. Local restaurants such as Bennetts in Battersea (review here) had pop up stalls and for those in the mood for some serious opulence the Harvey Nicks pop up food hall and bar appeared to have a constant supply of champagne flowing.

I have taken some snapshots from the day below but I wouldn't advise looking at them if you are hungry or on a diet, some of these cakes are not for the faint hearted!