Valentine’s Day is one of those occasions that deserves a bit of planning and a lot of flavour.
This year, Bistro 31 is setting the tone with a thoughtfully curated three-course Valentine’s Day dinner, designed for couples who enjoy good food, good wine, and an atmosphere that does most of the work for you.
The evening unfolds with a welcoming glass of Weltevrede Entheos Cap Classique, light and crisp with citrus and green apple notes — a festive way to start the night and ease into the romance.
- From there, guests are invited to choose their own culinary adventure from a menu that balances indulgence with elegance, with optional wine pairings available for those who like their courses perfectly matched.
- Starters offer a choice between crunchy poha prawns served with mango chutney, coriander, and jalapeño aioli, or smoked brisket phyllo spring rolls with sour fig konfyt and homemade chilli jam. Each dish is paired with a carefully selected wine, setting a confident and flavour-forward tone for the evening.
- Mains continue the story with comforting yet refined options. A slow-cooked beef short rib arrives with honey-glazed rainbow carrots, charred shallots, and a parmesan croquette, while seafood lovers can opt for hot-smoked trout and ricotta ravioli finished with sage butter, Grana Padano, and dill cream. For something vegetarian and deeply satisfying, the gorgonzola and shallot tarte tatin delivers richness and balance in equal measure.
- Dessert brings the evening to a gentle, romantic close. Guests can choose between a delicate fynbos honey panna cotta with peaches or a bright lemon semolina slice layered with whipped crème fraîche, lemon syrup, and pistachio praline — each paired with a lightly off-dry Riesling to keep things fresh and uplifting.
Priced at R585 per person, or R995 per person with wine pairing, Bistro 31’s Valentine’s Day dinner offers a polished yet relaxed way to celebrate love. It’s intimate without being formal, indulgent without being over the top, and perfect for couples who believe romance is best enjoyed one course at a time.
Reservations are essential, and with a menu this considered, it’s easy to see why tables won’t stay open for long.
31 Brickfield Road, Woodstock , Cape Town
021 404 0570
