This last minute Valentine’s day plan is the Perfect high/low Valentine’s Day plan.
On any given day of the year you would find me advocating the merits of frequenting a restaurant. While it’s always worth nurturing your relationship with the MD of Scott’s to guarantee the riverside view table of four for two, (facing the restaurant on an overcast day - facing the Richmond Riviera when blessed with the sun), valentines is but one exception to the rule.
Valentines is a volume occasion, with turnover the highest of priorities. There are places you will of course be able to wow your partner with a romantic meal, but these are best saved for when the brigade can give you all the attention you deserve. Which leads one to wonder if it is plausible to erect a Michelin Starred effort in ones own kitchen. Of course, it is possible to cook a perfectly rendered & charred more-rare-than-medium-rare steak alongside a couple of frites but this valentines, I’m going to champion something slightly more unconventional, stylish and un-fuck-up-able.
FAST FOOD AND CHAMPAGNE ARE THE VERY BEST OF FRIENDS.
McDonald's is a fast food chain that has been loved by millions of people around the world for its convenient salty savoury hit. Tomorrow you should consider pairing it with champagne to inspire a little more love between you and someone you adore.
Firstly, love should put people at ease. There is nothing more stressful than a returning from a days work to rush a dinner that you have to prepare under pressure. The gift of fast food is time - in this instance to be used one on one with your favourite person in the world, not punting a carbonara in the kitchen. Anything relaxed is inherently more stylish than something that you’re going to have a meltdown over.
HOWEVER VALENTINES SHOULD STILL FEEL LIKE YOU MADE AN EFFORT
I suggest that you take the time to put on a blazer and trousers, pair with a loafer and ground the outfit with a t-shirt (tucked in); casual black tie would be a great headline for the look. Light candles, put your McDonald’s of choice on a plate (!) and take a moment with your partner at the dinner table.
The glamour which is also essential to valentines day should come courtesy of an exquisite bottle of champagne. Perhaps one you drank on your wedding day, or one you want to make memories around; a “yours” champagne.
The reason why McDonald's pairs well with champagne is due to the contrast of flavors and textures between the two. The high acidity in champagne helps to cleanse the palate and cut through the richness of the fast food, creating a harmonious balance of flavours. Anatomically speaking, if one needs a conversation starter, bubbles in champagne also help to stimulate the salivary glands, creating a refreshed and revitalised sensation after each bite.
Below are The Laundry’s recommendations on perfectly paired ladies and tramps:
Billecart-Salmon Rosé, known for its elegant and light body, is the perfect pairing with a Big Mac, bringing out the flavors of the burger's special sauce and pickles.
Bollinger PN VZ16, with its rich and complex flavours, is ideal with the McChicken sandwich, slicing through the rich mayonnaise and its beautiful dryness.
Veuve Clicquot NV, with its crisp acidity and fruit-forward flavour profile, is an excellent match for McDonald's chicken nuggets, complementing the crispy exterior and unmistakable sweet meets savoury fix of the nuggets.
And Krug, with its toasty and buttery notes, is the perfect pairing for McDonald's fries, elevating the savory and salty flavors of the frites to a transcendent level which one would later hope to achieve in the bedroom.
Nothing beats the luxury of getting to not give a fuck. The truth is this should be a little more fun and a little less drama. And though McDonald's and champagne may seem like an unlikely pairing, the combination of comfort food with the elegance of a little Épernay et al creates a unique and satisfying taste experience which would offend the most miserable of gastronauts. You however get to have a delicious, effortless valentines to remember in style. And whats is more romantic, than a stylish memory with your amoré.
