M&S has just revealed the menu for this year’s edition of its mega popular Valentine’s ‘Dine In for Two’ meal deal.
And this year it’s sounding tastier than ever.
Last year, more than a million Brits headed on down to their nearest M&S to make the most of the retailer‘s now-legendary Valentine’s dining deal and celebrate the international day of love in a more low-key way from the comfort of their own home.
But this year, M&S says it wants to top that success, and is hoping that its “most luxurious” menu yet will do just the trick.
Image: M&S
For the first time ever, the retailer has added lobster to the main courses lineup on this year’s ‘Dine In’ menu after it proved so popular with shoppers and flew off the shelves over the Christmas season, with some of the other options sitting alongside that including steak, lamb shanks, and beef wellington, as well as mushroom stroganoff pies for plant-based foodies.
Just some of the starters and sides on the menu this year include king prawns, breaded camembert, tempura veg fritters, a leek and cheddar souffle tart, truffle mash, smashed potatoes, a cheesy green veg bake, and so much more.
To satisfy those sweet tooths at the end of an indulgent meal, triple chocolate brownies, a melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding, tiramisu mousse cake, salted caramel profiteroles, white chocolate and raspberry mousse hearts, and even a mini cheese board are among the delights you can choose from.
Image: M&S
Then, to wash it all down with, you can pick from a wide range of different wines and proseccos, or even a four-pack of M&S’s social media sensation Passionstar Martini cocktail tinnies instead.
Lobster isn’t the only newbie this year either, as 2024 also marks the first time the Valentine’s ‘Dine In for Two’ deal has a fully gluten free menu, as well as a brand-new vegan menu too, so no lovers need be left out.
“This year’s menu is sure to set hearts racing,” an M&S spokesperson said.
“Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than hump day at home with the most delicious food, because after all, the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right?”
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, the limited-edition ‘Dine In for Two’ deal will be available to pick up at M&S stores from Friday 9 – Wednesday 14 February, and will set you back an affordable £25 – which works out at just £12.50 per person.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2024 
