Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show your partner just how much you care and what could be a better way than by treating them to a truly special meal out?
After spending almost 20 years together, my partner Matt and I have enjoyed many Valentine’s days since our relationship began back in 2005. Over the years we’ve done pretty much everything to celebrate: weekends away, days out, spa breaks, afternoon teas and even quiet nights in, but, our favourite has always been booking in at a restaurant and enjoying a romantic meal for two.
So, we were more than happy when we got the opportunity to mark this year’s occasion with a special visit to Amelia’s Bar and Restaurant.
The venue is located under the control tower at Halfpenny Green Airport, which means it’s perfectly placed for aviation enthusiasts to admire the amazing view of planes taking off and landing throughout the day. For Matt, it’s a sight that brings back many happy memories of accompanying his dad to his flying lessons at the airport some thirty years ago.
The restaurant’s interior has been thoughtfully designed to incorporate the aviation theme and the result is a super-stylish finish. Of course, it’s not just flying enthusiasts that make their way to Amelia’s, the venue has become a firm favourite with locals who simply can’t get enough of the restaurant’s tempting breakfast and lunch menus, which include choices like: ‘Full English’ breakfast £12.95, ‘Beer Battered Cod & Fries’ £14.94, ‘Pulled Pork Ciabatta’ £10.95 and ‘Eggs & Smoked Salmon’ £13.95. The bar is always popular too, thanks to an extensive drinks menu that has really got something for everyone, no matter whether you’re an avid ale drinker or a budding wine connoisseur.
For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant was staying open past its usual hours, ready to delight couples with a sumptuous three course menu that had been lovingly designed for the special occasion. The tables had been carefully adorned with rose petals and a single rose was placed in a vase in the centre of the table next to two heart shaped chocolates. It was obvious that a great deal of thought had gone into planning a perfect night. And that was certainly true of the menu too, which offered three courses of culinary heaven.
The starters provided a perfect balance of meat, fish and vegetarian offerings: ‘Ham Hock and Pea Terrine served with Red Onion Chutney and Toasted French Bread, Smoked Salmon & Prawn timbales, with Dill and Lemon, accompanied by Melba Toast’, Prawns and Avocado served in Baby Gem Lettuce, dressed with a Marie Rose Sauce and our choice of starter: ‘Sweet Cherry Tomato Soup and a selection of breads’ and ‘Creamy Garlic & Stilton Mushrooms served on Toasted Ciabatta.
Despite only opening its doors back in June last year, Amelia’s has already established itself as a must-visit venue in the area. By 7pm the restaurant was packed-full of discerning diners who trusted that a meal at Amelia’s would wow their partner and give them the Valentine’s treat they deserved. And, there was certainly no disappointment as the culinary team at the restaurant impressed with every course.
Matt has long had an interest in cooking and always fancied himself as the next Gordon Ramsey. In fact, he prides himself on making a superior tomato soup but even he couldn’t deny that Amelia’s easily topped his offering! The balance of flavours was just perfect and the soup had a creamy richness that his simply couldn’t match.
The mushrooms were smothered in a mouthwatering garlic and stilton sauce that soaked into the ciabatta, every mouthful was an utter delight and showcased the skill of the chefs at Amelia’s.
In between courses, we sipped from our wine glasses and soaked-up the romantic atmosphere in the restaurant. Although the airport had long since closed and the view of the runway was cloaked in darkness, there was still plenty to enjoy inside the restaurant, especially when we were served our main courses.
The utmost care and attention-to-detail is apparent in everything at Amelia’s and the presentation of our main courses was impressive. Matt had finally opted for ‘Sirloin Steak served with Chunky Chips, Vine Tomatoes and Peas, topped with Love Lane Beer Battered Onion Rings and a Peppercorn Sauce’ after carefully considering the menu’s other options: ‘Sole Poached in White Wine filled with Prawns served with Duchess Potatoes and a Green Vegetable Medley’ and ‘Chicken & Mushroom in a Masala Wine Sauce, Tumeric Rice and a Green Vegetable Medley’.
For me the choice had always been easy: ‘Wild Mushroom and Champagne Risotto, Rocket Salad dressed with Parmesan shavings and Balsamic Dressing’. To be honest, I find it hard to refuse any mushroom dish and when its combined with a champagne risotto, there’s just no way I can say ‘no’!
When the main courses arrived, Matt’s attention was totally focused on the food and he gave an impressive appraisal of each aspect of the dish, taking time to praise the sumptuous steak, bursting-with-flavour onion rings and sweet vine tomatoes.
I too couldn’t help but endlessly compliment my velvety risotto, which was packed full of a variety of succulent mushrooms and perfectly accompanied by the rocket salad and parmesan shavings.
The friendly and efficient serving team worked hard throughout the evening and although the restaurant was full to capacity, service was in no way compromised.
As we finished off our main meals, we noticed other diners being presented with an array of eye-catching desserts: ‘Coffee Crème Brule, served with a warm Shortbread Biscuit’, ‘Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding with a choice of either Custard or Ice-cream’ and ‘Mixed Fruit Sorbet Sundae’.
One of the most popular choices was undoubtedly the ‘Chocolate Sharer’, which was every chocoholics dream: ‘Chocolate Torte, Hot Chocolate Waffle, Chocolate Profiteroles, Fresh Strawberries, served with Ice-cream & Chantilly Cream’.
It was the obvious choice for Matt and I too, and we couldn’t wait to dig into the chocolatey assortment. With touches like a caramel ‘cage’ to hold the ice-cream, the dessert was made extra special and every aspect of it was pure indulgence. When there was only one profiterole left on the plate, Matt paused before offering it to me – a sure sign that he still loved me even after all these years!
Thanks to Amelia’s Restaurant, Valentine’s Day 2025 had made its way to the top of our list as one of the very best meals-out that we’d enjoyed as a couple.
Call: 01384 883234 or visit: www.ameliasbarandrestaurant.co.uk for more information and to book.
You can find the on: Crab Lane, Bobbington, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY7 5DY
