I wined and dined myself on Valentine’s Day

This Valentine’s Day, I found myself 3,000 miles away from home without a Valentine. To celebrate the festivities, I decided to take myself out. I threw on some makeup, put on a dress, and headed out to door for a date with myself. My friends thought I was nuts.

It certainly wasn’t your typical Valentine’s dinner, but it was definitely one for the books. Sometimes a girl needs a little TLC. Valentine’s day is all about love, and as Bieber says; love yourself.

Given a rather small budget and low expectations, I decided to travel to my nearest Nando’s for this momentous occasion. I literally had cold feet bracing the 5°C weather,  so I decided to take a bus to a location only an 18 minute walk from my flat. Nothing was going to stop me, I was going to Nando’s. There was one slight hiccup: I got a little lost because Citymapper decided to take me to a Nando’s I never knew existed.

Happy Valentine’s Day… to me

This slight hiccup left me wondering around a desert of monotonous concrete buildings for a good 10 minutes, a sense of dread slowly sapping into my bones before I finally spotted the welcoming L.E.D chicken, beckoning me into an oasis of poultry dishes at affordable prices. The only questioning glance I got was from the guy who seated me. “How many?”, he asked. I replied: “Just one.”

They gave me the wrong dish, and for a while it was just me and this wonderful glass of sangria sitting next to two friends enjoying their meal.  Five minutes later, a couple came to the table on my right and they held hands while sharing halloumi. Cheesy love was in the air. As people enjoyed their meals, no one seemed to care about the single girl with the wine. All was well in my solo dining experience.

I was greeted with this lovely sign. It certainly gave me high hopes

Lemon and herb chicken, peri-peri salted fries, and garlic bread

Then, the wonderful patrons of Nando’s delivered me a meal that was truly love at first bite. If you’re wondering where the veggies are, who cares it’s Valentine’s Day.For anyone who fears dining alone, know there’s no shame in it. Food is food no matter who you’re with, and a little sangria won’t hurt either.