El Sur,

When you think of Spain, the words ‘lively’, ‘sultry’ and ‘romantic’ all spring to mind – especially when you take advantage of late night al fresco dinners accompanied by sensual Spanish guitar music, which is why contemporary Spanish restaurant El Sur is so perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Décor

Book a table on the alluring outdoor terrace and weave your way through the low-lit bar area with its slick slate grey walls. Bringing the outdoors in, there’s a wall of plush plants to pass before you find the pretty terrace with its handfuls of single dangling bulbs creating a twinkling lighting effect.

 El Sur,

Ambience

Service is friendly and the clientele is generally made up of couples and groups of laid-back diners. There’s enough of a hum to create a welcoming atmosphere, without it ever getting too noisy for it to detract from your holding hands and staring longingly at each other across the table moments.

El Sur,

Food

It’s Valentine’s Day, so be sure to order a few dishes to share. The goats cheese croquettes are crispy and moreish with a tangy and creamy filling, while the chili ad garlic prawns – provided you both indulge – are sure to liven up your taste buds. For mains, one of the standout options is the grilled seabass with a crispy skin. A delicate, flakey dish, it’s also light enough to ensure you don’t feel too lethargic post-dinner time. Conclude the evening off with a peanut fondant and coconut ice cream guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

El Sur,

Why Bother

Lingering evenings on breezy terraces don’t come much better than this.

Go For

The mellow, sultry mood.

El Sur,

Details

El Sur | The Westin Mina Seyahi | (04) 3997700

Valentine’s packages starts at Dhs245 per person for food and Dhs890 per couple including a bottle of sparkling rosé.