Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, but just because you or your partner is either vegan or vegetarian doesn’t mean there isn’t anything in Bath for you to do. There’s plenty of things to make your day special, read on and find out more.
Eating:
Casual Dining – The Porter 15 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EN
If you’re after a casual dinner, nothing too fancy or pricey, then Porter has it covered. It’s a big relief to have a full menu dedicated to vegetarian and vegan diets. The selection of main meals include a Lentil Burger, Curry, Tapas, Meatballs, Mixed Bean Salad and Mezze. Prices for these dishes range around the £6.00 to £7.00 mark. If you’re wanting a two course meal, a selection of the Tapas plates would make a nice starter. However, if you are a vegan with a sweet tooth, you will not be too happy. Their only pudding currently on the menu is the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which, I’m afraid is not vegan friendly. Another issue may be the lack of vegan friendly wines. If it’s lunch you’re after, The Porter offers a main course with a glass of wine, soft drink or half a pint for a very reasonable £5. So for vegans, there is not a vast choice, but certainly enough to suit your needs. If you’re vegetarian, anything and everything is available to create a perfect, relaxed Valentine’s meal.
Restaurant Dining – Demuths 2 North Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
This strictly vegetarian restaurant would suit a slightly fancier dining experience. From winning the 2011 Bath Good Food Award for Best Vegetarian Restaurant, there is no doubt this restaurant will provide a perfect Valentine’s day dinner. Demuths caters to vegetarians, vegans and other speciality diets. Where possible, their ingredients are organic, fairtrade and locally sourced. The price for two courses is £19.95 or £24.95 for three. 
There are some appetisers, starters, mains and desserts available for vegans. Starters include Pumpkin Soup and for vegans, Salt Baked Celeriac and Winter Beets. The starters are priced at around £7.00. Main courses include Mushroom Parfait, Cheddar Souffle and for vegans, Miso Roast Aubergine and Spiced Chantenay Carrots. Prices are around the £15.00 mark. The desserts are innovative, yet appealing and include Forced Rhubarb and Poached Plum. There is also a vegan selection, including Coconut Rice Pudding and Rich Chocolate Mousse, all priced at around £7. There is Champagne, White, Red and Sparkling Wines, all suitable for a vegan diet. These range in price from £17 for a bottle of Wine, to £42.50 for a bottle of Champagne. Demuths is sure to provide a lavish vegan or vegetarian friendly meal with all the trimmings, for a rather reasonable price.
Buying Ingredients for a Home Cooked Meal – Harvest Natural foods 37 Walcot Street, Bath, BS1 5BN
If you’re planning a romantic homemade meal for your partner, and need vegan ingredients, Harvest is sure to provide everything you need. If you are creating your own vegan feast, there are many ingredients to help you along your way. However, if you feel that your cooking skills are not quite up to scratch, there is also a deli section, with dishes that could be used to create your own Tapas selection. Here you can pick and choose from many dishes including Lentil Pate, vegan pies and vegan carrot cake. Picking personal favourites of yours or your partners, will be sure to create a selection suitable for a romantic Valentine’s evening in.
Gifts:
Chocolates – Harvest Natural foods 37 Walcot Street, Bath, BS1 5BN
Harvest stocks many vegan brands, such as Organica, which produces vegan chocolate bars. Also available are Booja Booja chocolates. These are vegan friendly and a bit more fancy, as they come in boxes and look rather swanky.
Pamper Products – Lush 12 Union Street, Bath, BA1 1RR
All Lush Products are vegetarian, but not all are vegan, so be sure to ask. The unique soaps and balms make a lovely present, especially if you can find something to suit your partner’s favourite smell, or simply their personality. Products such as the Lots of Love Gift Box and the Sweetheart Soap are vegan friendly and created especially for Valentine’s day.
Our thanks to Lotti Skinner for this article.
