Côte Brasserie has revealed its highly anticipated Valentine's Day menu for 2026, introducing a nostalgic twist that promises to tug at the heartstrings of diners across the UK. The restaurant chain, known for its classic French fare, has collaborated with Executive Chef Steve Allen, whose prestigious background includes stints at Claridge's and Gordon Ramsay establishments, to create a selection of sentimental desserts.
The Nostalgic Dessert Innovation
At the core of this year's Valentine's offering is a unique incorporation of Love Hearts, the pastel-coloured confectionery that evokes cherished childhood memories for many Britons. Research indicates that nostalgia significantly influences eating habits, with approximately one third of UK adults associating sweets with fond recollections from their youth. Côte Brasserie has cleverly tapped into this emotional connection by featuring Love Hearts with their iconic messages like 'I Love You', 'Be Mine', and 'True Love' throughout their special Valentine's desserts.
Chef Steve Allen's Culinary Creation
For the pudding course, Chef Allen has developed an exclusive Valentine's sharing mousse that draws direct inspiration from the distinctive appeal of Love Hearts. This decadent dessert combines white chocolate with freeze-dried raspberry and passion fruit, finished with Love Heart sweets for sprinkling and crushing, creating both visual appeal and nostalgic flavour profiles.
Valentine's Dining Experience Details
The special Valentine's menu will be available across Côte Brasserie locations from February 9th to 15th, featuring both decadent sharing dishes and traditional French cuisine. Central to the offering is the popular sharing Côte de Boeuf, presented on the bone after being aged for 30 days in Côte's Himalayan salt chamber, accompanied by unlimited chips and truffle hollandaise sauce.
A specially crafted Valentine's cocktail completes the dining experience, combining Lillet apéritif with orange blossom and freeze-dried raspberries for a fragrant, gently romantic conclusion to the meal.
Special Valentine's Day Pricing
For those dining in on February 14th itself, a special set menu will be available from 5pm across all brasseries, priced at £32.50 for two courses or £37.50 for three courses. Guests can enjoy Côte classics including the iconic French Onion Soup, which has been on the menu since 2007, butcher's cut steak frites, and a curated French cheese selection alongside the exclusive Valentine's specials.
Côte at Home Valentine's Boxes
Recognising that many couples prefer intimate celebrations at home, Côte at Home offers limited-edition Valentine's boxes available for delivery between February 11th and 14th. Customers can choose between the Valentine's Chateaubriand Box starting from £59.95 or the Valentine's Confit Duck Box from £44.95.
Each box includes a luxurious starter option of either creamy baked Camembert or king prawns with Café de Paris butter, followed by a choice of tender Chateaubriand or indulgent confit duck, both served with all the traditional trimmings. Dessert options feature Côte's exclusive Valentine's mousse with Love Hearts, petit beurre biscuits and dried berries, or the much-loved crème caramel with madeleines and salted caramel sauce.
High Demand Expected
Côte Brasserie's Valentine's tables were among the most sought-after reservations last year, and with Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday in 2026, demand is anticipated to reach even greater heights. The at-home boxes have consistently sold out in previous years, making early booking essential for those wishing to secure this nostalgic dining experience.
The combination of Chef Steve Allen's culinary expertise, the emotional resonance of Love Hearts sweets, and Côte's commitment to quality French cuisine creates a Valentine's offering that blends nostalgia with gourmet dining, appealing to both traditional romantics and food enthusiasts seeking memorable culinary experiences.
