Top six romantic restaurants

Dining out at a romantic restaurant on Valentine's Day is the easy option for most of us. But instead of a corner table at your local half-price pizza and pasta joint, why not treat your lover to a special night at one of London's top eateries?

Warning! Book in advance, or you may find yourself cooking up 'spag bol' in the confines of your own home!

The Blue Elephant
4-6 Fulham Road
(020 7385 6595)
For £55 you can book a three course meal titled 'Feast of Love', at Fulham's best Thai restaurant!

Il Forno
63-64 Frith Street, W1
(020 7734 4545)
Us Brits have never been able to reach Italian wooing standards. But with such quixotic Italian cuisine at Il Forno, who knows where the night might lead.

Bleeding Heart Restaurant & Wine Bar
Bleeding Heart Yard, Off Greville Street,
(020-7242 2056)
The name says it all. The City yard presents a special Valentine's mouth-watering menu costing £35 for four courses and a glass of champas.

Sarastro
126 Drury Lane, WC2
(020 7836 0101)
Furnished in velvet drapes cascading from the ceiling, statues linger in the background. And if you're lucky you might be wooed by a violinist or opera singer who moves from table to table! Don't forget, music is the food of love.

Pasha
301 Upper Street, N1
(020 7226 1454)
Designed to recreate the Ottoman King's household, Pasha is covered in jewels, candles and antique furniture. The moody atmosphere is perfect for getting the old romance flowing, plus the Turkish meze is exceptional!

Carluccio's
28a Neal Street, Covent Garden
(020 7240 1487).
For those who fancy taking the restaurant to their home, Carluccio's offers a take-away Valentine menu for £50 per couple. It includes, gorgonzola salad, steamed mussels, veal escalope and so on, ending with rich chocolate truffle. Yum.