FOOD: Ten romantic Sheffield restaurants ahead of Valentine's Day

With Valentine’s Day coming up this week, here are seven eateries with the right ambience to celebrate your amour.

Gigis Cucina, Oakbrook Road, Nether Green

0114 327 4600

Italian is the obvious choice when it comes to Valentine’s Day - but Gigis is a step above.

Chef Gigi and daughter Loretta Giaimo have mastered the art of ambience, thanks to a contemporary decor, Sicilian touches and candlelight that makes a visit like sinking into a warm bath at the end of the day.

A good shout for a proposal - or at least a delicate monkfish with Parma ham dish.

The Front Room, Langsett Road, Hillsborough

0114 285 3439

Candelabra, waistcoat-wearing waiters and an elegant all-white decor, The Front Room is not your usual Indian restaurant.

Dishes are more refined than your standard curries and presented well.

Try the slow cooked chicken chaat, sometimes served in a puri bubble, or fiery lamb handi as well as one of the 28 wines on offer. They even do desserts.

Cubanas, Leopold Square, city centre

0114 276 0475

Sensual Latin flavours and sounds combine at Cubanas, which has long been a city centre favourite.

If you are lucky there may be a Spanish guitarist performing as you share patatas braves and albondigas meatballs.

There are also some great cocktails to inspire salsa dancing afterwards.

All Siam, Ecclesall Road

0114 267 0580

Thai-style, super friendly service and a gorgeous interior make a trip here heavenly - even before the food arrives.

The authentic, coconut-and-chillies green curry is so authentic you could almost be on the bustling streets of South East Asia.

Ego, Surrey Street, city centre

0114 278 2004

Dine among the trees - well, nearly - at Ego, located next to the stunning Winter Garden in the city centre. There’s shining glassware and white tablecloths plus an intimate feel despite the all-glass frontage.

The menu is Mediterranean, extremely varied and, if you are on a budget, they do a cracking £10 steak night.

Desserts are also a highlight.

Thyme Cafe, Glossop Road, Broomhill

0114 267 0735

There’s something on the regularly changing menu for everyone at this popular neighbourhood bistro. Early evenings are often busy with families.

Regulars recommend the fish cakes and still rhapsodize about the ham hock, now off the menu.

The Milestone, Green Lane, Kelham Island

0114 272 8327

If its good enough for Gordon Ramsay...

The gastro pub that won TV’s Best British Restaurant is running a six-course Valentine’s tasting menu this year.

Expect an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and buzzy atmosphere.

The Showroom, Paternoster Row, city centre

0114 275 7727

Forget popcorn with your movie date - have a meal instead at the independent Showroom.

Chef John Tite is vegetarian, and has created a non meat special vegetarian Valentine’s menu.

But his dishes such as fresh fish or Barnsley chop of lamb have creative flair too.

Wasabisabi, London Road

0114 258 5838

Culinary melting pot London Road is a good shout for diners who like global flavours - and who might not have already booked for February 14 as most venues do walk ins.

For theatre and excellent Japanese sushi as well as other dishes try Wasabisabi, where chefs can flip the teppenyaki right into guests’ mouths.

VeroGusto, Norfolk Row, city centre

0114 276 0004

Another fine Italian - but one that comes very highly recommended by The Star’s former restaurant critic Martin Dawes, who even chose it for his last ever review.

In 2014 he described the upmarket venue as ‘bringing a touch of class’ to city centre dining, worth dressing up for.

Food is authentic and precisely done.

And for those who want to go all out, the award-winning Rafters, in Nether Green, and The Old Vicarage at Ridgeway offer some of the finest dining in Sheffield.

Rafters - 0114 230 4819

The Old Vicarage - 0114 2475814