Every Friday evening I am in no mood to cook. Exhausted, ravenous and ready to let off some steam, I was delighted to find an elegantly simple Italian restaurant hidden behind the noise and bustle King’s Rd on Elystan St – Elistano. Escaping from the harsh winds of the exterior we step into the warmly quiet yet open confines just perfect for a quiet and relaxed dinner without the hassle of other London hotspots on a Friday evening. Even more warm was the smiling service that greeted us and took our coats away while we sipped on still water and pondered over the menu, taking in the authentic Italian delicacies that their new chef, Daniel Urbani, promised to deliver.

We are recommended an excellent bottle of Sangiovese Vigna 2010 (£22.75), an Italian red wine full bodied enough to linger on your palate but light enough to enjoy alone and with the fish choice that I was opting for as my main course. S chooses the Bruschetta with Goats Cheese (£6.95), while I’m informed that the Soup of the Day is Minestrone (£5.95), a perfect Italian classic for the cold winter’s day. My soup is absolute perfection, steaming hot, and accompanied by two delightfully big crisp croutons delicately flavoured with hints of cheese that balance out the lightness of the vegetables in the soup. I watch S cut his bruschetta, the goats cheese oozing onto the plate, tempting me as each melted strand clings to the plate, but knowing I have two more courses to go, I am content at sipping my beautiful wine, which is expertly topped up with attentive service so that the glass is never half full.

Our mains arrive very quickly after this so that we’re not left hanging and as S embarks on his examination of the medium rare steak with a dainty pot of mushroom sauce on the side (£19.95), he informs me that it’s cooked exactly to his liking. As a connoisseur of well-prepared meat, that is a most welcome compliment from him. My pan-fried fillet of sea bass comes (£15.95) with a slice of lemon and sprinkling of black pepper, clean, fresh and light. Although the side of hand cooked chips must also have been simultaneously crisp and soft; we both opt for steamed spinach (£3.95) as our side dishes, which arrive as a big healthy green portion of nature on, separate plates, reeking of class.

Happily content, we are faced with the dessert menu. S immediately spots the uniqueness that leaps out from the paper: Chocolate Brick (£5.95). Bravely he takes the plunge while I am faced with a towering scoop of Mango and Lemon sorbet (£5.95). Sticky and soft spoonfuls of icy wonder that wake up my tastebuds on a paradoxical journey of sweet and sour. “What is the brick?” I ask S tentatively, it looks like a brick of chocolate sprinkled with white polka dots. S informs me that it’s softer than a brick of chocolate but harder than a brownie, another ambiguous discovery that oozes chocolate biscuit, cake and brownie.
Our eyes light up as the charming waiter brings over a shot of Limoncello, the perfect tang of refreshing alcohol to dim the sweetness while leaving us wanting more. Yes we want more of this hidden gem of a restaurant behind the usual overcrowded main street haunts. I dare you – search it out; I assure you – you’ll definitely want more.

Dinner for two with wine, excluding service £94.85
12.5% optional service charge

Elistano
25-27 Elystan Street
Chelsea Green
SW3 3NT
www.elistano.com

Shrove Tuesday marks the start of Lent and 6 weeks of frustrating sacrifice. As well as being a religious date on which people across the globe promise to stop eating unhealthily, it is also when the same people stuff their faces with calorific pancakes filled with enough chocolate to satisfy even the greediest of souls and present them with a Theobromine poisoning scare (Chocolate Poisoning – yes, death by chocolate really is possible).

1) The Breakfast Club: The Breakfast Club is an independent chain of breakfast restaurants situated in Hoxton, Angel, Soho, Spitalfields and Canary Wharf. This hipster haven, named after the cult film, will leave you feeling as full with food as ‘The Brekky Club’ is with bohemian journo types. I suggest the ‘pancakes with berries’; a mouth-watering tower of American style pancakes, topped with a delicious berry coulis, maple syrup and vanilla cream. I'm drooling at the thought of it.

2)     La Crêperie de Hampstead: Although crêpes technically aren’t pancakes, this unassuming little kiosk in picturesque Hampstead village had to be included.  Since 1980, the stall has been a local favourite and has attracted crowds of North London teens, loyal fans of the stall and numerous celebrities. The Nutella and banana crêpes, prepared in front of you by authentic French-speaking staff, are sure to delight. 

3)     My Old Dutch: Hailing itself as ‘London’s Original Pancake House’, My Old Dutch, situated in Holborn, Kensington and Chelsea, is a popular chain of homely restaurants. It's claim to fame is offering a mind-boggling amount of topping varieties on their Dutch pannekoeken. Alongside the fairly traditional sweet offerings, the creative savoury menu will make you flip out, if you pardon the pun. My personal favourite is ‘The Amsterdammer’, a bizarre yet delicious mixture of crispy smoked bacon, soft sautéed apples and maple syrup on a large, flat pancake. Their ‘Lite Menu’ means that they even cater for the calorie-conscious consumer. How thoughtful of them.

London is filled with delightful little pancake parlours, some are grand (The Delaunay almost made the list)  and some unexpecting (there's a great one in Camden Market). Tweet us at @jetsetgazette, and let us know  if you have a favourite place to go for this oh so under-consumed treat.

Josh Zietcer
@mrjoshz

Sex At Oxbridge is an anonymous blog written by a female Oxbridge student. The blog  has  been covered by The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Evening Standard and now The JSG!  The controversial brainbox writes about life, love and lust and has entertained her huge online following since 2010.
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It is a common misconception that single people hate Valentines Day. Having spent an even amount of years being both single and in relationships over the past four years, I can tell you that I like Valentines Day no better or worse either way. Annoyingly to most, I've had four of the best Valentines Days between 2009 and 2012 complete with scenarios even your best rom-com writer couldn't dream up.

For me, Valentine's Day is a lot like New Years Eve - overrated. Both days are essentially designed to stress you out and put an immense amount of pressure on your friends and loved ones to ensure you have a day that meets impossibly high standards. My streak of fantastic Valentine's Days began in 2009 because it was the last time I attached sentimental value based on the reciprocal participation of someone else on that very day. Is that cynical? No. Let me tell you why.

2009: It was my first year at Oxbridge and I was in my first serious relationship. I had lunch with a friend of a friend from another college whom I had met once or twice. It was only the day before that I realised that I had agreed to lunch on Valentines Day with a boy who was not my boyfriend. It was pretty much just for banter, even though I was on fine date form. I'm very expressive when I talk, often using my hands for emphasis, and managed to hit my fork quite forcefully, sending the salad on the other end flying into the air. At another point I dropped salad in my lap, and after a discreet attempt at picking it up and placing it on my bread plate, my date noted, 'I would have been much less impressed if you had eaten that.' And took the piss once more when the waitress collected our plates and all that was left was a ring of lettuce around where my bowl had been. I don't think I've ever laughed quite so hard on a first date, and despite leaving him with nothing but a kiss on the cheek and great chat in exchange for lunch, we stayed in touch. 

Later that evening my actual boyfriend, who was suppose to take me on the kind of date I'd had earlier, but obviously much more romantic and with less spinach throwing, stood me up for a date with his faculty library. I knew he had pressing deadlines, but he failed to notify me that they would deter him for the entire evening prior to his mobile running out of battery. Assuming myself to be stood up, tears naturally ensued. 

Friends came to rescue me from my self-imposed misery that came from the millions of scenarios I had imagined to be the case. Had I been dumped? Was he with someone else? Why was his phone off? There was no instance in which I would imagine the exact reason that I would get the next day, but after a healthy glass or three of wine I didn't care, and headed out with my friends for one of the best nights out I had during my uni years. 

Confident that I was happier alone than coming second to a library, I was single soon thereafter. That Valentine's Day was essentially perfect. 

2010: Despite my terrible table manners the year before, and despite only having seen the boy I had lunch with on the previous Valentine's once since (we may have snogged at a garden party), he asked me to lunch again for Valentine's Day. We went to a local pub near his college and enjoyed our general banter, but I was becoming increasingly aware of the time. It was the day of the England vs Italy Six Nations match and, in case you don't know, I love rugby. Far more than I like Valentine's Day. 'Do you like rugby?' I asked, apprehensively. Some blokes don't. His eyes widened. 'What time is it?!' He had beers and a telly in his room, so we headed there to continue what was quickly becoming an amazing date. I honestly would have had an almost identical day had I been on my own. Almost identical, as I'm pretty sure halftime would have been much less exciting had I been sitting alone in a pub versus what activities we got up to. 

It can't go without being said that our dates were essentially continuous awkward moments, punctuated by us pointing out and laughing at said awkward moments. For example, at halftime he decided it would be a good time to show me from the sitting room to his bedroom, while I was wrapped around his waist, kissing him as he walked us through the flat. Stumble is more appropriate than walk, but I digress. At one point there was a loud crash and we stopped, startled. I looked down to realise that at the mere touch of my foot the world's flimsiest shoe rack had burst into a million wooden pieces. After the initial shock had subsided, we laughed our way into the bedroom for some fun, and made our way back to the sitting room in time to see England scrape their way to victory (the final score was 12 to 17). A triumphant afternoon for all. It was perfect. 

2011: I had recently begun dating the kindest, funniest, cutest mix of loveliness I had ever met. I don't think any man would want to be described as such, but I was madly in love with him. It was as if I had found my personality doppelganger. We hadn't known each other long, nor had we been dating for longer than a month at that point, but it was no matter. The fourteenth of February in the year two-thousand and eleven will stand as one of the best dates I have ever been on. And I've been on my fair share of dates. 

I have been wined and dined, taken to shows, balls, gala events, etc ... but it would be hard to match the levels of fun we reached that night. After googling, for continuities sake, whether it would be possible to have an identical date despite which Oxbridge city I was actually in, I can't find that to be the case, so for anonymity's sake, and for the sake of keeping at least an iota of my relationship with him to myself (our eventually subsequent breakup is written about in agonising detail over the course of many months) I'm not going to outline our itinerary in detail. It was an excruciatingly heartbreaking breakup, so sometimes it's nice to remember the good bits. Our date was simple, but the kind of evening where your cheeks hurt so much from laughing or grinning like a fool all night. Fools may rush in, but I hope to never lose that kind of foolishness that's so inherent in my nature, because that night was perfect. 

2012: The pain from breaking up with the previously mentioned boyfriend had subsided by this point. For the most part. Okay, marginally. I hadn't been in a relationship since. Rather, I had put most of my energy into friendships with men which wouldn't end abruptly. My best friend is a boy and essentially provides all the companionship one could need without the drama or fear of abandonment. Romantically, I was casually seeing one or two boys consistently, one of whom was becoming more consistent but never serious. My working life was coming together quite nicely and though I loved my job, it had a much more demanding schedule than uni, with far less flexibility for impromptu nights out on a weekday. My new friend with whom I had consistent adult sleepovers was in the banking business, and thus in a deficit of free time as well. We met at his, shared a bottle of champagne and had a lovely, stress-free evening like every other evening we had ever spent together. It was perfect.

My point, friends, is this. [Cut to me taking a break in writing - I hand write most my work first - to go to the bar, order lunch and a pint, ask that they put Six Nations on, and contemplate what my point is whilst finishing my pint and waiting for the England vs Scotland game to begin.] My point is that my days are often perfect because I do what I want, enjoy the freedom of spontaneity and choice that comes from avoiding putting unnecessary emphasis on what I should be doing for Valentines Day. Or any day for that matter. I'm not saying bin work or responsibility, but when it comes to life - love and relationships in particular - it's just too short to worry about what you should do. There's absolutely nothing as important about Valentines Day as Tesco wants you to believe there is. The point is, why reserve expectations of enjoyment and love for certain days? Do the things you like, and if you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with. Luckily I have a very healthy love for myself, which is why watching England destroy Scotland alone whilst writing in the corner and drinking a pint is an ideal afternoon for me. It was perfect.

Paris may be the ‘City of Love’ … but this February, London is for lovers. In the build-up to Valentine’s Day, we’ll suggest some creative ideas for what you can do on 14th February.

Valentine's Idea #1
First up, we suggest venturing to the depths of North West London. Situated in the heart of Camden, Shaka Zulu, the neighbour of the highly popular Gilgamesh, will be treating guests to a 5 course meal fit for (Zulu) kings. The South African inspired interiors are opulent; perhaps over-the-top but entirely appropriate for Valentine’s Day, and provide the perfect backdrop for the luxurious meal. As guests tuck into their corn-fed chicken breast, Brett Warren will be serenading couples to add to the romance of the night. The meal costs £29.95 and double-daters will be treated to a bottle of South African Rosé.  

Thursday 14th February 2013
To book, either call 020 3376 9911, email reservations@shaka-zulu.comor visit www.shaka-zulu.com
Stables Market
Chalk Farm Road
Camden
NW1 8AB

Valentine's Idea #2
Our second suggestion is Hony Tonk, in Chelsea.  For those of you that are bored of the mushy, lovey-dovey Valentine’s routine, this New-York inspired restaurant is bringing something much edgier to the equation. On February 14th, Honky Tonk will be offering a Yankeefied set menu, champagne upon arrival and live music. Three courses will cost you £39.95 per person, or $62.50 (if you really want to be authentic).

Thursday 14th February 2013
Honky Tonk
6 Hollywood Road,
London
SW10 9HY
Tel: 0207 351 1588
W: www.honkytonkchelsea.com/

Valentine's Idea #3
Our third suggestion is Bunga Bunga, the famous Italian Karaoke bar in Battersea. This year, Bunga Bunga will be celebrating Valentine’s Day twice. At first, they’ll be organising a secret singletons party, named the ‘Segreto Club’, on Tuesday 12th February, with unlimited Prosecco and Bellinis (from 7.30pm until 9pm), small pizzas and a musical chairs game with a speed-dating style twist. Secondly, on Thursday 14th February, if the previous event has worked at all, lovers will be treated to heart-shaped pizzas, serenaded by according players and offered the right amount of Prosecco to get the daring/drunk guests to take to the karaoke stage, at the ‘Lovers Dinner’. This is certainly a less pretentious alternative to other Valentine’s Day events being offered in London!

SEGRETO CLUB
Date: Tuesday 12th February 2013
Time: 7.30 start

LOVERS DINNER
Date: Thursday 14th February 2013

37 Battersea Bridge Road, 
London, 
SW11 3BA
Tel: 020 7095 0360
Website: www.bungabunga-london.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BungaBungaLondn

Valentine's Idea #4
They say that oysters are an aphrodisiac, so is there really any place better to go than an Oyster Bar, on Valentine’s Day? Bibendum, in South Kensington, is famed for its spacious and surprisingly unpretentious Oyster Bar.  Four varieties of oyster are available, including a seasonal treat of six native Colchester No.2s for £19.75. As well as the food being delicious, the tiled wall and high ceilings of the extravagant Michelin building also provide the perfect back-drop for a highly romantic evening.

Michelin House,
81 Fulham Road,
London
SW3 6RD
Tel: 020 7581 5817
Website: http://www.bibendum.co.uk/oyster-bar/index.html

Valentine's Idea #5
If you've left it a little bit late or have managed to bag yourself a date today ... Have no fear. London has plenty of great restaurants with a strictly no booking policy. This may mean that there are long queues of disorganised lovers on Thursday night, but it also means that a delightfully romantic evening is still possible to attain.

Chicken Shop (79 Highgate Road, NW5 1TL (020 3310 2020) in up-and-coming Kentish Town is part of the growing chicken rotisserie scene in London. Simple but delicious food in a somewhat high-end setting. Alternatively, Meat Liquor is a popular choice with London foodies; famous for its burgers and alcohol, hence the name. It's situated just off Oxford Street, so you can even buy a Valentine's present just before... If you're cutting it reaaaaally fine. The final suggestion is creative, inexpensive and could, if done correctly, be the most romantic option of them all. A stroll alongside the charming Camden Lock, with a meal from one of the international stalls, may be an interesting option for those of you who shy away from the typical Valentine's Day affair.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day, boys and girls, and keep on jet-setting!