A Progressive Valentine’s

Righty ho fellas, this one's for you. I know traditionally Valentine's Day is meant to be a two way thing, but you can thank Hollywood for us girls' heightened expectations of roses, chocolates and affectionate confessions. So the success of V day is all on you, I'm afraid. Now, before you start chanting "mate" "beer" and "rugby" to affirm you masculinity, remember, it's one day of the year, and trust me, a spot of chivalry never goes a miss.

In order to help suss you out with some brownie points, we've put together a Valentine's evening for you and your sweetheart; sure to land you very far from the dog box.

The pre-dinner drink (insert flattering comment upon arrival)

Everybody's Bar and Bistro

Imperial Building, 7 Fort Lane, Auckland CBD

To kick your evening off, head along for a pre-dinner tipple the one of the newest, finest and, for lack of a better word, trendiest watering holes in the CBD, Everybody's Bar and Bistro.  Along with having a great cocktail list and oozing atmosphere, Everybody's isn't intimidatingly intimate/obvious you're getting all datey. A wine or cocktail along with a pick off the entrée menu (from experience I'd go with the warm tart of onions with sweet peppers, goats curd and spinach) will have you getting the accepting nod for choosing a good starter spot.

The main event, Mexican style

Mexico

23 Britomart Place, Britomart Precinct, Auckland CBD

Now, ordinarily Mexican might not seem like the most logical chase for a caramalised onion tart. However, cleanse the palette with a margarita and you'll be set. For your main, we suggest teetering down the road and checking out the newest amigo to the Britomart family, Mexico.  They've nailed it here, providing a fun, cheap and cheerful place for a bite (and not cheap in a way where you'll come off looking to cut corners). The whole idea of this place is to be social and atmospheric with small to well portioned meals that are super tasty. Plus, it's not even a week old, so you'll come across as quite the hot-shot hitting up one of the newest joints in town.

The post dinner show, you cultural guy you.

The Princess Bride, Silo Cinema

Silo Park, Jellicoe Street, Westhaven, Auckland

If you haven't been along to the Silo Theatre down at Silo Park, Valentine's Day or not, it's about time you did. There's something very cool about watching an old school movie in an outdoor cinema, not to mention the romance of getting cosy with a picnic rug and a few blankets. Alright, alright, the movie on show might have you wanting to race home and reshuffle your Super League Dream Team, but if you can sit through The Princess Bride, you've got a sure win on your hands. And don't worry, there is a sword fight scene. Breathe, guys.

A tickle on the sweet tooth

To round your date night off in true style, you can't forget the sweetest part of all, dessert. And really, who doesn't love a sweet little somethin' somethin' after a movie? After taking to the polls, it appears that everyone has got an opinion on where the best spot to grab pud'. The dessert list at Prego is delish, as it is at Clooney's, Delicious and District Dining.

If you want something a little lower key, the sharing platter at Non-Solo Pizza is also notably amazing. But, the spot that triumphs the rest for a V day dessert has to be The Chocolate Boutique on Parnell Rise. Cute, nostalgic and all importantly - devilishly tasty. If you manage to wind up here having ticked all the other boxes, trust me, you've clocked Valentine's Day and you can rest easy knowing you should be set in the good books 'til at least the weekend.