The Ivy is known for its class and sophistication, so what better place to take your date on the most romantic day of the year? And for the special day, the Ivy has compiled an all-new menu for lovers to enjoy.
The Clifton brasserie has themed its Valentine's Day menu 'Love Letters from The Ivy Clifton Brasserie' as diners will be given an exclusive book compiled by author Shaun Usher, which features a collection of historic passionate love letters, re-imagined by The Ivy Collection with a bespoke cover and foreword.
And as romantic as this is, of course - the proof is in the pudding, so I made sure to pay great attention to the romance-inspired food on offer.
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The edible offerings include an indulgent sharing dessert that boasts peach and raspberry parfait, white chocolate mousse, popping candy and a raspberry sauce, which certainly caught my attention. If that wasn't intriguing enough, there are also three limited-edition cocktails on offer, named 'Napoleon to Joséphine', 'Oscar Wilde's Secret Affair' and 'His Immortal Beloved', which certainly sound romantic enough but in order to be sure, I decided to try them for myself. Somebody's got to do it.
I started my meal with cocktails, of course. Not the most traditional starter, but they were tempting enough for me to throw the rule book out of the window. I decided to go with 'Oscar Wilde's Secret Affair' and 'Napoleon to Joséphine' to start, with the intention to save the final, creamier cocktail for after my meal.
The drinks came out and looked a treat, with only the chilli delicately sat on the ice in one of the glasses causing me concern. I took a huge sip anyway and experienced a rush of flavours. As the chilli foreshadowed, the first flavour was spicy but the following taste of elderflower and lime complimented each other well, making it a delicious drink.
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Being a big passionfruit fan, I was excited to try the second drink, made up of tequila, prosecco, cranberry juice and lime. The Ivy bartenders are never shy when pouring the alcohol and this drink was proof of that, but the accompanying fruit flavours meant that it still went down smoothly.
Both drinks are priced at under £10, which is reasonable for two limited-edition cocktails and you're certainly getting your money's worth.
I can never go to the Ivy without ordering the Sirloin steak. The meat is always cooked to perfection and the flavours are like nothing I can replicate at home (believe me I've tried). So of course I ordered one to enjoy alongside their signature thick-cut chips and even though I prefer skinny fries , I always end up with an empty plate. This visit was no different.
Although not on the Valentine's menu, I ordered a classic Pornstar Martini to go with my main and it was perfect. The food was as incredible as always and made me even more excited for the dessert, which is of course the main event of any meal.
Finally, the time had come for dessert. The waiter let me know that I was going to be the first person to eat this treat and all of a sudden my heart was racing. The pressure was on.
After being placed on the table, alongside a warm raspberry sauce for pouring, it took me a few minutes before actually digging it. It was presented flawlessly and almost (almost!) looked too good to eat. After marvelling for a while, I finally took a bite - it was absolutely delicious. The flavours and textures were perfect, with the whipped cream and white chocolate literally melting in your mouth.
As planned I also ordered the final cocktail from the Valentine's menu to enjoy alongside my final meal and it was absolutely the right choice. Made with espresso, Bailey's cream, Amaretto, vodka, dark chocolate and honey it manages to be sweet and strong at the same time, however the creamy texture and tastes make it a great final treat.
My only disappointment is that it's an exclusive offering so I won't be able to enjoy it again. Honestly, if you've booked a table for yourself and your partner at the Ivy this Valentines, you won't be disappointed.
Although I don't have the skills to replicate the incredible dessert, I did ask The Ivy to share with me the ingredients and recipes for their exclusive cocktails so I can carry on enjoying them.
So, if you'd like to do the same - be sure to sign up for our Bristol Food Club newsletter here so you can get the delicious drink recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
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