Valentine’s date: break the ice over coffee

It doesn’t matter how you coat it, first dates are daunting. You’re there, trying to look your best, getting to know someone at the same time as you gauge whether you’re interested or not. Then there’s deciding where to go. Is a fancy restaurant too much and a hotdog from a street vendor too little? And don’t even get started on who pays the bill!

Because we want our (single) lives to be just a little bit easier, we have decided that coffee shops are the new date DOs. If chosen properly, you get a neutral, warm setting, light food that can be eaten with your hands (take that for an aphrodisiac!) and a range of hot coffee and chocolate beverages. Here’s a quick guide on how to make it a perfect date:

 

How to choose the right coffee shop

It needs to be close to other activities and centrally located - you might head to the theatre or the pub afterwards, or just get away as quickly as possible (we’ve all been there…). Don’t make it too mainstream, heaven forbid you find your boss there! It must offer the best coffee, light food and close late too. For Londoners, one great tip is Coffee Island (coffeeisland.co.uk), a charming spot two minutes away from Leicester Square tube station that combines all the right ingredients. One way to get bonus points from your Valentine would be to speak with the knowledgeable baristas who will use the best coffee beans to cater to your dates tastes and produce a unique gift – their own custom blend which they can take away with them.

What to order

Are you looking to spice up the mood or smooth your way into your date’s heart? Then the right order can make all the difference. At Coffee Island, you can choose your brewed coffee from a variety of single origin Microfarms that will do this for you. Bring fiery passion to your moment together with the luscious Ethiopia Sidama Ardi, a nectar-like, silky coffee. You can tone it down a little with the fruit-toned Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kochere, which is delicately intense. With El Salvador Vista Hermosa, your sweet aftertaste will inspire romance. However, if you’re really nervous, you might want to ease down on the caffeine. In Coffee Island, amongst other options, you can have the sweet and fruity cascara tea, also known as coffee cherry tea, which gives you just the right kick to keep you at your best self, or a smooth hot chocolate with stevia.

Do your homework

Here’s a last tip to make sure your Valentine will get the pre-date butterflies: send them a free coffee, which you can get with every purchase of a beverage at Coffee Island between the 7th and the 14th of February. And what’s more, by participating you both also take part in a competition to win two special home barista kits! Free coffees can be redeemed up to the 28th of February.

In the end, what if the date goes REALLY well? Well, then you might end up buying them breakfast or brunch at Coffee Island. Not a bad way to end the date either. 

You can find Coffee Island in 5 Upper St Martin's Lane, London.