For many couples the area is associated with a trip to see a musical favourite or sporting hero at The O2, rather than grown-up gastro delights and cultural awakenings. But with Greenwich welcoming several new foodie residents to the area and boasting highly-acclaimed galleries, pop-up festivals, performance art and high octane travel routes such as the Emirates Air Line and the high-speed river bus, it is fast becoming the best kept secret when it comes to 'date-night.'

Head over to Greenwich Peninsula and experience Craft London, one of the major new arrivals responsible for changing perceptions of the Greenwich food scene dramatically. Their passion for production even includes roasting coffee and growing their own fruit on-site and their 60 minute menu is the ideal option for a speedy 'blind-date' or a fast-paced lunch stop. The popular 'Inside' restaurant in Greenwich continues to gather awards and hit the top lists, and has been called 'one of the greatest neighbourhood restaurants in London.' And of course the ultimate foodie hub remains Greenwich Market for knock-out street food and simple suppers.

Already predicted to become London's 'ultimate village,' Greenwich offers so many ideas for a date with a difference.  Visitors can now head to 'The Jetty' riverside sky bar at Greenwich Peninsula, an original coaling jetty that now houses an unusual and temporary performance platform and a rooftop bar with incredible views across London. The venue hosts a calendar of pop-up performances such as the current 'Heartbreak Hotel' event as well as an open BBQ hosting DJs and live music acts throughout the year. The neighbouring NOW Gallery provides an ever-changing schedule of installations, contemporary sculpture and film by short-listed artists and producers to keep the creative juices flowing.

For the final course, visitors can head back along the river to Greenwich and discover The Cheeseboard on Royal Hill, those with adventurous taste buds can try the 'cow's curd and peach panzanella' or pick from the finest meats and delicacies for the perfect early evening picnic in Greenwich Park, one of London's  Royal Parks. For the sweeter tooth head for the dairy delights of the Black Vanilla ice cream parlour and try an Apple Pie gelato or a homemade sorbet, or finish the evening with a 'Fine and Dandy' gin cocktail on the Greenwich GinTime Terrace, commissioned  by London-based Beefeater Gin and there's even a night of cocktails and live music planned at the Gin Bop event on Friday 21st August.

Across the Park, Royal Observatory Greenwich houses the only planetarium in London and makes the ideal spot for an afternoon of star-gazing, or perhaps let time stand still with a visit to the famous Greenwich Meridian Line. Greenwich is home to some of London's most beautiful views, the General Wolfe statue stands next to the Royal Observatory overlooking the magnificent views of the Thames, and the London skyline all the way to St Paul's Cathedral.

Greenwich offers award-winning food, spectacular views and a long-list of inspiring attractions and unique experiences that make it the perfect package for a romantic night in London and with a fantastic list of accommodation including boutique hotels and quirky guest houses, visitors will definitely want to make a night of it.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact: Laura Young at Show Pony Publicity on 07919 004 116 or at laura@showponyevents.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. Craft London

www.craft-london.co.uk

1. Inside Restaurant

www.insiderestaurant.co.uk

1. NOW Gallery

www.nowgallery.co.uk

1. The Peter Harrison Planetarium at The Royal Observatory

http://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows

1. The Jetty

www.thejettygreenwich.co.uk

For more information about the attractions and events mentioned go to

www.visitgreenwich.org.uk

About Visit Greenwich

Visit Greenwich is a private sector led destination management company, supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, with the aim of growing the visitor economy and raising the profile of Greenwich for the benefit of businesses, visitors and residents.  A public/private partnership led by a board of tourism professionals, representing different sectors of the industry, with an independent chair, Visit Greenwich works with local visitor attractions, accommodation providers, transport operators, meetings and events venues, the hospitality and retail sector and local businesses to promote Greenwich as a visitor destination for leisure and business.

Set alongside the river Thames in south east London, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is one of London's most popular visitor destinations, stretching from the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, eastwards to cross the Prime Meridian of the world to Greenwich Peninsula for The O2 and the Emirates Air Line cable car, and onwards to the historic Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, Eltham, Charlton and Blackheath.