Feliz Dia de San Valentin (Happy Valentine's Day)

OUR Valentine's Day celebrations took on an accidental Spanish theme, and not just because we went to see the new Woody Allen film Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
The choice of film, which is shot in Barcelona and features lots of pretty Spanish scenery - and even prettier people - seemed even more apt since we'd just lunched at the Ikon Gallery.
The Oozells Square cafe specialises in Spanish food with an extensive tapas and raciones menu.
When we arrived - just after 2.30pm - we were informed that the kitchen was only open for 15 more minutes so we hurriedly decided what to share.
I was briefly inconsolable when informed that the pan-fried cod cheeks with garlic, tomatoes and lentils were off, as was the monkfish in tarragon sauce.
After a rethink we opted for the pork meatballs in tomato sauce; salt and pepper squid with garlic and chili; green beans with pine nuts and onions; a house salad and some warm olive bread.
Thankfully the bread arrived rapidly, served on a wooden chopping board with a pool of greenish olive oil. Decorated with springs of rosemary, it was dense, slightly sweet and terribly moorish.
Cafe Ikon, with its exposed brickwork and white washed walls, was a ray of sunshine on a grey and nippy February day. The atmosphere is lively, something surely inspired by people informally sharing plates of good food and drinking seemingly free-flowing wine.
The raciones took long enough to arrive to know that they'd been freshly cooked.
Laced with herbs and beautifully succulent, the meatballs were divine. Swimming in boozy tomato sauce, it was perfect juice to dunk the little remaining bread in.
The squid, served on a bed of balsamic-glazed salad, was clean and perfectly tender, although we both agreed could have packed a little more punch in the way of chili or pepperiness.
And the salad was extraordinarily good, thanks to a good portion of sympathetically roasted vegetables and a handful of whole almonds, which - along with some chickpeas - gave it real substance. Likewise, the green beans with onions and pinenuts were delicious.
At just shy of £30, including a large bottle of mineral water, it was by no means a cheap lunch, but the quality of the food was well worth it.
After the film and continuing on our Spanish adventure we went home and had a true Costa Bravan classic for tea. Steak and chips.

The Food of Love

MUCH as I love the Second City, when it comes to romance, Birmingham is no Paris.
There's no Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees or River Seine in which to stroll along, hand in hand.
Only a Rotunda, Broad Street and a murky canal. Hardly panoramas to inspire passion.
But if, like me, you think that food (not music) is the food of love, then Brum has plenty of cosy spots to show you care this Valentine's Day.
If money is no object then you could splash the cash at one of the city's fine dining establishments; Purnells in Cornwall Street, Edmunds in Brindley Place or Simpsons in Edgbaston.
I doubt you'll be disappointed by the quality of food and the sophisticated ambiance, although getting a reservation so close to February 14 could prove tricky.
Another dead cert for good grub is Filini at the Radisson, which serves exquisite Italian food using the freshest ingredients, although prices are steep.
City hotels also boasting quality restaurants are Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin, although a quick look at their websites show they are serving the same menu (they share a parent company). Both set menus are £45 per person, but includes a glass of rose wine.
If your relationship is long in the tooth enough to withstand a curry then you can't go wrong at Lasan in the Jewellery Quarter, or for lighter Thai food why not opt for elegant cuisine at Thai Edge in Oozells Square?
But little money need not stand in the way of a good time and if you are looking to cuddle up on the cheap I recommend a meal at the cavernous Bacchus Bar in the Burlington Arcade. It's cosy with plenty of comfy sofas to sink into while tucking into some tasty pub food.
As for me, my Valentine's Day is in the hands of the boy... and whether it be baked beans by candlelight or fine dining fillet steak, as long as there's food involved I'll be a happy bunny!
Where is your favourite romantic dining spot? Let me know...