Valentine’s Day at Core by Clare Smyth * (Feb 14th, 2026 – Six Unhurried Hours!)

Valentine’s Day lunch at Core by Clare Smyth turned into an accidental (maybe subconsciously intentional) six-hour affair, and honestly, that alone tells you everything you need to know. We sat down at 12.30 pm and somehow didn’t leave until after 6.30 pm, drifting happily from table to bar to patio without ever feeling rushed or bored!

Champagne on arrival, snacks that immediately set the tone, playful but precise. The TFC and lobster roll were outrageous. The caviar deserves a paragraph of its own. I am not exaggerating when I say it might be the best I’ve ever had. Balanced, salty, indulgent, satisfying without being showy, and all snacks eaten with our fingers.

We did the wine pairing, and it was gorgeous throughout, thoughtful and generous, with great pours, and never overpowering the food. Every course was excellent, but the turbot really stood out for me, while the beef was the clear winner for my husband. What struck me most was the balance. Elegant but genuinely fun. The chefs waving as you walk in, the playlist absolutely killing it, Guns N’ Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Prince. Maybe a Valentine’s thing, but it worked. The townhouse setting makes everything feel intimate and warm rather than stiff or stuffy.

The apple with brandy genuinely brought me to tears. It tasted like campfires and cottage country, so nostalgic in a way I wasn’t expecting. My husband, who is Scottish, teared up over the Scottish langoustines, which feels like the highest possible endorsement. We wrapped up with coffees and Chartreuse around 3.30ish, then moved to the bar. An okay space, though personally I wouldn’t go just for that alone. The perfect ending was a cigar out on the patio as the day faded out.

For context, the total bill came to around £1,300 for two. That covered two tasting menus, two wine pairings, Chartreuses and coffees after lunch, cocktails later on, and a cigar – for the time we spent, the level of cooking, and how memorable the whole experience was, it felt entirely justified.

Core is obviously world class, but what makes it special is how human it feels. A meal you remember not just for the food, but for how it made you feel, which to me is the best kind of fine dining!