If you're a long time reader you'll know how we feel about eating out on Valentine's Day, i.e. why would you do that to yourself. Set menus, jumped up prices and time limits, surrounded by awkward couples on early dates, others who can't stop touching each other, and the ones trying to pretending they're actually enjoying each other's company. So do it like a pro and stay in. Leave the unsatisfactory experiences to the rest of the city, and stay home with one of these cook-free, cringe-free options.
Margadh's Valentine's Box
Last order's for Margadh's Valentine's box are TODAY, so if you like the sound of this jump on it. For €85 you and your lover/housemate/Mum will get five courses - olive focaccia with anchovy butter; langoustine cocktail with pickled vegetables, apple & crème fraîche; guinea fowl, truffle and ham hock wellington with morel sauce; sides of tenderstem broccoli with smoked almond vinaigrette, and crispy duck fat potato; frangipane tart with chocolate ganache, hazelnut & raspberry; and a strawberry pastil petit fours to finish. There's an optional red or white wine pairing for €15 (recommended), and it's available for delivery or collection from Saturday 12th - Monday 14th. Order here.
Ripasso's Meal Kits
We've noticed quite a posts recently from Ripasso's happy customers, alerting us to the fact that they deliver Italian ingredients and wine nationwide - including meal kits. Choose from an antipasto platter, lasagne, cannelloni, carbonara, or go rogue and do your own thing. See the range here.
Winedown At Home
We recently reviewed Winedown's at home box, and it's available for collection or delivery within 5km on Friday 11th February if you're celebrating over the weekend. It's freshly prepared that day so will last a couple of days in the fridge, and we think it's really good value at €55 for two (with another €5 for delivery). Read our once over here, or order here.
SSI's Valentine's Seafood Supper
SSI's "ultimate seafood supper" is available for nationwide delivery, and one for when you just need to throw money at the problem. Feeding two, €130 will get you oysters, caviar, lobster ravioli, whole roast turbot, champagne butter, and Irish handmade Chocolates. They suggest you add boiled potatoes and buttered broccoli to the mix. Delivery available between Friday 11th and Saturday 12th February, and you can order here.
Barwachi, Killester
We're completely intrigued by Killester Indian takeaway Barwachi. Food writer Jillian Bolger said it's the most authentic Indian food she's ever had from a takeaway, and that the Malabar prawn curry took her right back to Kerala. That prompted a visit from Irish Independent food critic Katy McGuinness who called their onion bhaji "the best I've ever had", as was the palak paneer kofta (spinach and cheese dumplings in a creamy tomato sauce). They open Mondays and have a wide delivery area covering most of the Northside and across the water as far as Ringsend.
Food by Sally Ann
High end Dublin based caterer Sally Ann Lux has put together a Valentine's box for two for €120, with peach bellinis, sharing starters, a choice of mains (Jacob's ladder beef or almond and herb crusted sea bass), a white and dark chocolate mousse, and petit fours to finish. It can be delivered within Dublin for €10 or collected from their city centre kitchen. See the full menu and order here.
Fallon & Byrne
You can always count on Fallon & Byrne for a fuss free meal at home, and their Valentine's steak dinner for two with two fillets, greens, truffled mash and pepper sauce is currently on sale for €25. Add on a Coeur aux Fleurs goat's cheese, some chocolates and a bottle of the delicious Love and Grapes syrah and you've got the makings of a very nice night in. See the Valentine's shop here.
Asador/Prado
While there's nothing special announced for Valentine's Day, sister steak restaurants Asador and Prado deliver their meal kits nationwide, with a cut off of midnight on Wednesday each week for Friday delivery. They've got boxes with gambas and a Tomahawk, BBQ tacos and chicken adobo, and you can add on dessert, cheese, cocktails and wine. Order here.
Naomi's Kitchen
Meal prep company Naomi's Kitchen have a Valentine's meal for two for €70, with a grazing board to share, beef bourginon with honey glazed roots and potato mash, and giant jammy hearts to finish. Delivery charges range from €6.50 - €12, or it can be collected from their kitchen in Glenageary. Order here.
