Things to Do, Places to Eat, Events & Specials for Valentine’s Day in Washington, D.C.
Alright, nobody panic. You still have more than two weeks to figure out what you’re doing this year for Valentine’s Day. Plenty of time. But even if you find this a bit closer to the wire, don’t worry. There’s enough options and things to do for everyone.
Dive in and take a look at our massive all-in-one guide to 2015 D.C. Valentine’s Day activities, restaurants, events and more.
Valentine’s Day Dinner Restaurant Menus, Offers & Special Events
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1789 Restaurant
Enjoy a six-course tasting menu priced at $105 per person, or $150 with wine pairings. Your meal will include dishes such as Potato Bavarois with Champagne cream, duck egg, and American sturgeon caviar; Japanese A5 Wagyu Tataki with pickled pearl onions, smoked Parmesan foam, and bonito; Bucatini; Florida Red Snapper with littleneck clams, Shishito peppers, and house-made bacon, and Short Rib with spaetzle, roasted chestnuts, and heirloom cauliflower. For dessert, you’ll try the Valrhona Chocolate Profiteroles, with cocoa nibs with dulce de leche, hot fudge and Stumptown coffee ice cream.
701 Restaurant
Enjoy a three-course tasting menu with a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert for $85 per person. A few specialties to look out for include Tuna Crudo with pineapple, wasabi and Asian pear; Ricotta Gnudi with kabocha squash, hazelnuts and black truffle; Foie Gras Torchon with vanilla sour cherry marmalade and brioche; Braised Beef Short Ribs with Aligot potato puree, royal trumpet mushrooms and red wine jus. Finish with your choice of the White Chocolate Panna Cotta with lemon curd, beets and raspberries; Cheesecake with peanut crunch and blackberry sorbet; or Pear Crisp with orange streusel, sour cherries and amaretto ice cream. You’ll also be able to enjoy a live piano and bass duet from 6:30 to 10:30 pm.
Agora
Agora is serving up a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner for $59 per person, filled with traditional Greek dishes, along with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Dishes include Seared Scallops with saffron yogurt sauce; Grilled Large Shrimp, head on with garlic and oregano; Lobster Salad; and Filet with wild mushrooms and pomegranate reduction. For dessert, choose a Greek treat such as the Aegean Delight, walnut stuffed apricots over a vanilla bean and mascarpone cheese spread topped with caramel sauce and pistachios.
Ambar
You have two choices at Ambar. For $55, you’ll get a four-course menu, and for $75, you’ll also get wine pairings and a broader selection of entrees. Try Creamy Zucchini Soup; Cheese Pie with crispy phyllo; Cabbage Casuela with braised cabbage, dry pepper, yogurt, and lepinja; Beef Tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce; Balkan Kebab; or Grilled Duck Breast with duck “cracklins,” orange saffron glazed onion, and allspice jus. For dessert, try The Four Chocolates, with a dark chocolate biscuit, dark chocolate mousse, milk chocolate Chantilly, almond crumble, and passion fruit espuma served with raspberry sorbet.
America Eats Tavern
At American Eats Tavern, you’ll find a four-course tasting menu priced at $75 per person, highlighting local and regional flavors. Chose between dishes such as Hushpuppies, Oysters Rockefeller, and Steak Tartare to start, moving onto Harvard Beet Salad, Butternut Soup or Waldorf Salad, an Entree of Seared Scallops, Mutton with Oysters, Grilled Delmonico Steak for 2, or Mushroom Chicken and Rice for 2, and finally, either Martha Washington’s Chocolate Cake or Lemon Meringue. Come back for brunch the next morning, offered at $50 per couple with a choice of bellini or mimosa, a sweet bite such as mini tarts or doughnuts, and your choice of about six different entrees.
Ardeo + Bardeo
Try a three-course prix fixe menu, with romantic inspired dishes, such as a welcome amuse, the Caviar Kiss with bellini custard, creme fraiche, and chives. Then, choose from dishes such as Hearts to Hearts with baby beets, artichoke hearts, hearts of Palm, and feta; Braised Veal Breast with coconut polenta, aromatic bitters, and pickled radish; Petit Filet Mignon with truffle whipped potato, baby zucchini, and a “Ménage à Trois” reduction, or Orecchiette with melted burrata, rapini, tuscan kale, and spinach crema. For dessert, try the Sexy Chocolate Trio with death by chocolate cake served with tuxedo strawberry, chocolate pot de creme, and white chocolate cashew ice cream.
Bastille
Bastille is offering a four-course dîner de la Saint Valentin at the brand new location of Bastille, priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings. Menu highlights include velouté of chestnut and foie gras; tartare of moullard duck with 60 degree duck egg, brioche toast radicchio and Belgian endive salad; and slow roasted double chop of lamb with gratin dauphinois, Brussels sprouts, shallots and royal trumpet mushrooms. A selection of desserts will include walnut cake with port poached pear and honey Roquefort ice cream and chocolate truffles.
Bibiana
Bibiana is preparing an Italian four-course prix fixe including a choice of antipasti, primi, secondi and dessert tasting for two. Priced at $85 per person, the menu is available on Friday and Saturday nights. Dishes include Licorice Scented Veal Sweetbreads; Burrata with fried prosciutto balls and winter melon jam; Beet and Gorgonzola Ravioli; Roasted Ricotta Crusted Lamb Chops; Classic Emilia-Romagna Lasagna baked for two, as well as Sugar Smoked Whole Trout. A dessert tasting is designed to share and includes Formaggio, La Tur with pear butter and roasted Piemontese hazelnuts; Sgroppino, prosecco sorbet with sparkling blood orange juice, and Per Due, chocolate, cappuccino and blood orange “bonbons” for two with zabaglione and raspberry sorbet.
Bistrot Royal
At the brand new classic French bistrot in Alexandria, in the old Bastille space, try a welcoming three-course dîner de la Saint Valentin for $55 per person. Menu highlights include classic Maine lobster bisque with poached oysters; Beef filet-mignon with Madeira truffle sauce and potato gratin; and Almond butter cake with red wine poached pear and crème Anglaise.
BLT Steak
On both Friday and Saturday nights, you can enjoy a three-course dinner priced at $85 per person at BLT Steak. Featured dishes include Sunchoke Risotto with butter poached lobster & caviar froth; Crispy Oyster Salad with grilled pork belly, soft poached egg & pine nut-jalapeno vinn; or Foie Gras Stuffed Quail with black truffles & pomegranate demi glace. The sharable Wagyu Tomahawk is meant for two, with apple gastrique & spaetzle, and for dessert, find options such as Red Forest Black Velvet Cake with cherry ice cream & chocolate ganache or S’mores Bread Pudding with salted caramel ice cream. Also, be sure to try Cupid’s Flower cocktail – Champagne, blood orange liqueur, liqueur de violettes, and cassis, priced at $14.
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck is offering a four-course menu served family-style on Friday the 13th, and the less ominous Saturday the 14th. The dinner is priced at $95 per person, or $140 including wine pairings for each course. Kick things off with Chestnut Soup, before moving onto Maine Lobster, and then Whole Roasted Beef Tenderloin, finishing things off with a Chocolate Torte.
Extend the experience at the Park Hyatt, with the Suiteheart at the Park package, available from Feb 12th-16th. Priced at $449 per night, you get suite accommodations, an in-suite pot of Lemongrass Wild Rose Herbal Tea from Park Hyatt Washington’s Tea Cellar, along with breakfast for two at Blue Duck Tavern or in the comfort of the suite, and complimentary valet parking.
Bombay Club
The Bombay Club is offering a five-course prix fixe for $85 per person. Begin your meal with an amuse bouche of Roasted Pineapple Corn Saffron Shorba followed by a Chaat Course and then a choice of Appetizer, Entree and Dessert. Entree highlights include Duck Pepper Fry with green pepper, tomato and orange pulao; Tandoori Lobster with tomato, basil and garlic; Adraki Venison Chop with ginger, yogurt and garam masala, as well as Mustard Fish Curry with coconut, chili pepper and panch phoran. Decadent desserts include Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake; and Strawberry Kulfiand Orange Cardamom Crème Caramel. You’ll also be able to enjoy live piano music from 6 to 10:30pm.
Boss Shepherd’s
Boss Shepherd’s is offering a three-course menu priced at $59 per person in addition to its regular menu. Choose from starters such as the Baked east coast oysters with country ham, cornbread crumbs and creamed collard greens; and Riesling Gulf shrimp with pumpernickel, chervil, dukes and charred pepper. Main dish offerings include the Lamb duo with grilled lamb chops, confit belly, smoked apricot puree and grilled mokum carrots; and Halibut with house pappardelle, winter herbs, kale, tomato broth, Maine lobster and roe.
Boqueria
Boqueria is offering a prix-fixe menu allowing guests to choose six tapas for $65, as well as unlimited Cava for an extra $20 per person. Your choice of tapas will include: Ostras en Escabeche, Crudo de Vieiras, Pan con Tomate, Datiles con Beicon, Torrada de Cangrejo, Pimientos de Padron, Espinacas a la Catalana, Gambas al Ajillo: Shrimp, garlic and Guindilla pepper in olive oil, Patatas Bravas, Raya a la Plancha, Ensalada de Remolacha, Pato con Lentejas, and Arroz de Bogavante con Almejas. Also include will be a selection of desserts, Sopa de Maria Luisa, lemon verbena soup with lemon sorbet, lychees and almond meringue, and Churros Rellenos, churros filled with Nutella and cinnamon sugar.
Cafe Dupont
Cafe Dupont is offering an aphrodisiac-inspired prix fixe, with your choice of either three-course or five-course options. Dishes include compressed watermelon with bruleed goat cheese, arugula pesto, and candied almond; house made angel hair pasta topped with Cognac lobster sauce, tarragon, and mussels; and Manjari chocolate ganache with waffle-fried and caramelized bananas, banana sorbet, and chocolate nib tuile.
Casa Luca
Join Chef Erin Clarke from February 13th-15th at Casa Luca for a decadent, rustic five-course Italian tasting menu, priced at $80 per person with a $60 wine pairing. Begin by indulging in Chilled Maine Lobster or Terrine of Hudson Valley Foie Gras & Heirloom Beets. Move onto warming winter classics such as Risotto of Winter Black Truffle and Venison Boscaiola, finishing with a Winter Citrus Crostata or Classic Piemontese Bonet.
City Perch
Executive Chef Matt Baker has crafted a five-course prix fixe dinner menu for $65 per person, including a glass of bubbly, house-made bread service; caviar; and your choice of locally sourced seafood like Butter Poached Maine Lobster, or Brioche Encrusted Maryland Crab Cakes. Other options include Pan Roasted Duck Breast, and Slow Braised Crow Farms Beef Short Rib. The menu ends on an especially sweet note with James Beard Award-Winning Chef Sherry Yard’s Bananas Over You dessert, comprising chocolate caramel tart, caramelized bananas and vanilla ice cream.
Or, stop by for brunch on Saturday or Sunday, with a three-course menu priced at $32. First course offerings include Poached Lobster Salad, and Winter Radish and Beet Gazpacho. Second course dishes include choice of Winter Mushroom and Farmers Cheese Quiche, or Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Soft Scrambled Eggs, once again finishing with Bananas Over You.
City Tap House
Visit City Tap House for an Allagash Brewing Company sour ale dinner, priced at $54 per person with four courses or $75 including beer pairings. The menu begins with Spruce Smoked Steelhead Salmon Salad paired with Allagash Fluxus 2014, Bière de Miel brewed with a blend of two-row and Vienna malts, spruce tips and honey. Next is the Crispy Berkshire Pork Belly paired with Allagash Farm to Face, followed by Angus Beef Tenderloin and Lobster paired with Allagash Sixteen Counties. Close things out with a Dark Chocolate Tart with sour cherry sauce and vanilla gelato paired with Allagash Nancy.
DBGB
Visit DBGB on Valentine’s Day for a four-course tasting menu priced at $75 per person. The menu is also available on Friday. Kick things off with your choice of Maryland Crab, Sweet and Sour Eggplant, or Fluke Crudo. Move onto either Cavatelli with broccoli rabe pesto or Lobster Risotto. Choose an entree such as Tea Smoked Duck, Diver Scallops, or Dry Aged Ribeye, and end the eating with a Chocolate Peanut Bar, Passion Coconut Sundae, or Souffle Chaud.
Dino’s Grotto
Dino’s is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu in the dining room, priced at $69 per person, or $59 for dinner before 6pm. The day before and after, Dino’s is offering a different take on the festivities, with a sharable tasting menu feast — lovers, ex-lovers, enemies and all groups of two invited. The meal is priced at $99 total. Add on a friend, or another lover or associate to the table, for $49 per person.
El Centro
El Centro D.F. is offering a four-course prix fixe priced at $45 per person. The menu includes favorites such as Traditional Guacamole; Huitlacoche Empanadas; Chile-Lime BBQ Prawn Skewers; Steak Alambre, or Beer Battered Lobster Tacos. For dessert, you’ll have the option of Mexican classics like Banana Tres Leches; Churros with chipotle caramel, and Flan with mexican custard, caramel and pineapple-strawberry pico.
Fiola
A special five-course tasting menu will be offered February 13th & 14th, priced at $125 per person, with an $80 wine pairing and $100 premium wine pairing. Your menu will begin with delicate notes of Cranberry Creek Oysters, Prosecco Zabaglione, and Ostera Caviar. Finish with the rich bold flavors of Wagyu Beef Short Ribs, Foie Gras, Sunchoke, and Perigord Black Truffle, and a delicious dessert from Pastry Chef Kendra Grieco, a pink Grapefruit Vacherin, with Grapefruit Curd & Sorbet.
Fiola Mare
Experience luxury on the Potomac throughout Valentine’s Day weekend, with a five-course menu priced at $125 per person, with $80 wine pairings and $110 premium wine pairings. Explore the flavors of the Adriatic from Beausoleil Oysters, with Granny Smith Apples, Smoked Ikura Caviar, Thai Basil, to the Crudo of Nantucket Bay Scallops, with Tuscan Tonnato Sauce, Perigord Black Truffle, and don’t forget Wild Turbot in Potato Waistcoat. Finish the night with a romantic dessert of Roses & Cream.
*Both Fiola & Fiola Mare are also offering a build your own five-course tasting menu from the regular menus of each restaurant, priced at $125 per person.
G & Graffiato
Enjoy a sensual San Valentino celebration at G, with a five-course tour of adventurous aphrodisiacs, such as veal heart tartare, and passion fruit bruleed oysters. The menu is available on Friday and Saturday for $65 per person. Add a beverage pairing for $39, or premium beverages for $59. At Graffiato, you’ll also have a choice of a 5-course menu for $65 per person.
Härth
Visit Harth to enjoy a five-course dinner priced at $80 per person, with wine pairings available at $40 per person. Start with an amuse and a champagne toast, and then move onto a menu with highlights including Hudson Valley Foie Gras torchon; mosaic of Maine lobster and smoked salmon; farmed poached egg with white sturgeon caviar; and hot bittersweet chocolate cake made with chocolate from Belgium. You can also book an overnight at the Hilton McLean and one of their Valentine’s Day packages.
iPic Theaters
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Fifty Shades of Grey, opening on February 13th. Enjoy the movie with the specially created Red Room of Pain cocktail, priced at $13 and featuring red rum, red jalapenos, blood orange, homemade ginger beer and red rose petals. On Valentine’s Day, the first 100 people to purchase the Red Room of Pain cocktail will receive a free pair of red fuzzy handcuffs for some personal enjoyment once you’re home. A special dessert will also be offered, the Bananas Over You (described above for City Perch), served with a glass of Prosecco for $12.
Jaleo
All three Jaleo locations are offering a special Valentine’s Day a la carte menu, with new dishes and specials. For instance, Jaleo DC is offering tapas such as Rappahannock oysters with caviar; Foie gras terrine with apple purée and toast; Chilled lobster salad with cauliflower purée, blood oranges and pomegranate; Arroz con bogavante y butifarra Surf and turf rice with lobster and sausage; Grilled lamb t-bones with rosemary sauce; and Acorn-fed pork ‘presa’ carpaccio with lemon dressing and pine nut praline. Special desserts include warm chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sorbet, and a wild red berry soup with Idiazabal cheese ice cream.
Kapnos
Kapnos is offering a special tasting menu priced at $85 per person in addition to their regular a la carte menu.
Mango Tree
Enjoy a special prix fixe Thai menu priced at $150 per couple. Highlights include Wild Pepper Leaf Wrap served with Thai condiments and sweet tamarind sauce; Fresh Caught Seafood Platter, and Tom Yum Fried Rice. For dessert, try the Chocolate Ginger Mousse with ginger meringue, coffee reduction, and a graham cracker crumb. Add on a special cocktail such as Bangkok Seduction with Beefeater gin, fresh lemongrass, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, fresh strawberry, and Champagne for $12.
Mari Vanna
Visit Russian hotspot Mari Vanna for a Caviar Prix-Fixe menu. Diners will get one cold appetizer, one hot appetizer and one hot entree for either $125 or $150. Cold appetizer options include Olivier, Vinegret or Herring. Hot appetizers include red caviar Blinis ($125) or black caviar Blinis ($150), and entrees include Chicken Tabaka, Chicken Kiev, Sea Bass, Salmon, Beef Kebob or Beef Stroganoff. Couples will receive a bottle of champagne and a complimentary dessert with the meal.
Masa 14
For $65 per person, try a Latin-Asian three-course menu, plus dessert. Featured dishes include Ahi Tuna Tartar; Truffled Scallop Roll; Seared Lamb Porterhouse with Harissa demi, as well as Roasted Lobster Tail with chimichurri. Dessert selections include Chocolate Terrine Masa 14 with triple-layered deep chocolate brownie cake with dark, milk and white chocolate and black plum sauce, or the Carrot Cake with chile de árbol frosting and spiced pear butter.
Mio Restaurant
Mio’s two-seat Chef’s Counter will be offering a special 14-course mega tasting menu for Valentine’s Day. Executive Chef Roberto Hernandez will personally be preparing your food, with two seating times at 6 and 8:30pm from February 11th-February 14th. The prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu at the Chef’s Counter menu is priced at $150 per person and includes a bottle of sparkling rose per couple. In the main dining room, there’s a three-course prix fixe priced at $65 per person for everyone who couldn’t snag a seat at the Chef’s Counter.
nopa Kitchen + Bar
nopa is serving up a three-course prix fixe for $75 per person. Starters include Chioggia Beet & Blood Orange Salad; Stuffed Beef Tongue Roulade; Slow Roasted Porchetta, and Butter Poached Maine lobster Stew. For dessert, guests will receive a Valentine’s Day sampler which showcases Chocolate Pave with crème parisienne; Blood Orange Sherbert with cocoa nib meringue, and a Raspberry Ganache with amaretto mousse.
The Oval Room
The Oval Room is offering a three-course menu priced at $85 per person, or $125 with optional wine pairings. The meal will include an appetizer, entree and dessert, and options such as Pheasant Ravioli; Burrata with globe artichokes, cucumber, and a Meyer lemon vinaigrette; Crispy Lobster, or Braised Pork Cheeks with crispy pig ears. Decadent desserts include Dark Chocolate Cake with strawberry crémeux, with bubbles of champagne, or Rose Red Velvet Cake with winter citrus cream cheese.
Oyamel
Enjoy a festive five-course Valentine’s Day meal at Oyamel, showcasing Mexico’s regional diversity along with the modern fare of Mexico City. Begin your menu with choices such as Erizo de Mar with Mamey Granita or Live Scallop Citrico; second courses such as Ensalada Noche Buena or Ensalada Manzaza Navidad, third courses such as Lobster Pozole and Yucca Dumplings con Frijol, fourth course plates to share such as Beef Strip Loin chilmole, Whole Branzino al ajo, or Lamb birria, and finally, desserts including Tres Leches or Flan de Comote.
Rasika
At Rasika, enjoy a four-course menu priced at $85 per person, or $125 with wine pairings. The dinner will begin with an amuse bouche of Sweet Potato Samosa with cranberry chutney followed by a choice of First Course, Second Course, Entree and Dessert. Different dishes will be highlighted at Rasika West End and Rasika Penn Quarter for the rest of the meal. Highlights at the former include Arugula Pakodi Chaat; Ananas Seekh Kebab; Malai Scallops; Khumb Aloo; Duck Moilee, as well as Lobster Mangalorian; and at the latter, find Red Wine Tikka with chicken; Pepper Seekh Kebab; Tandoori Shrimp; Asparagus Uttapam, as well as the Grouper Biryani.
Redwood
All weekend long, enjoy a four-course dinner at Redwood for $68, with optional wine pairings priced at $29 per person. Menu highlights include Malpeque Oysters on the half shell; Grilled Octopus Salad, T-bone Lamb Chops; and Seared Tuna. Finish with a choice of desserts including Red Velvet Cheesecake and Orange-Scented White Chocolate Mousse.
Ripple
Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley will prepare a four-course menu filled with local seasonal treats, priced at $85 per person. Highlights include house made ricotta with smoked fingerling and sweet potato puree; black winter truffle risotto with parmesan, truffle butter and shaved black truffles ($20 supplement); crispy skin branzino with panisse, blood orange and fennel; and Greek yogurt panna cotta with rose water and pistachios.
Rosa Mexicano
Go upscale Mexican for Valentine’s Day, with a four-course prix fixe which includes the Rosa Royale cocktail, made with sparkling Cava, pomegranate juice, Cointreau and agave nectar. Begin your meal with the restaurant’s signature tableside Guacamole en Molcajete, followed by the choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert.
Second State
Second State is offering a four-course menu for $79.99 per person, including a paired glass of wine and a choice of sides. Dishes include Short Ribs, root beer braised short ribs over parsnip and garlic confit puree; Butternut Squash Soup; Brown Ale Butter Chicken, and Fried Brussel Sprouts with crispy shallots, bacon and maple-mustard vinaigrette. For dessert, there is a choice of Pecan Pie, Stout Brownies, Shoofly Pie, and Homemade Ice Cream, plus the restaurant’s usual complimentary after dinner cordial.
Soi 38
Are you crying for joy, or in pain? Either way, you’ll be crying, with the Thai Chili Tasting Menu, priced at $45 per person. The menu is broken down into types of chili pepper so that guests can explore the spicy peppers that give Thai food its kick. Begin with green chilis, and choose from Prik Todor Kuay Tiew Lui Suan. Red chili dishes are next, with a selection of Panang Goong or Pad Cha Talay, followed by dry chilis highlighted in Nam Prik Ong and Gaeng Hang Lay. Finish your meal with hand-painted heart-shaped Look Choup, a classic Thai dessert made of sweetened housemade yellow bean paste.
Sonoma
Sonoma is offering a three-course menu with a complimentary glass of bubbly, a mid-meal intermezzo palate cleanser and a decadent box of chocolate truffles to take home, plus optional wine pairings. The meal is priced at $69, or only $55 before 6:30pm, and the wine pairings are available for $34. Begin with His & Hers cocktails, A Man’s World and Ain’t Nothing without a Woman. Then, get started on dinner with Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops or Smoked Catoctin Mountain Farm Pork Hearts. After a palate cleanser of house lemon sorbet, entree selections include Pan-Roasted Canadian Lobster or Grilled Colorado Lamb Loin, followed by a dessert course of Lemon Curd Tart with raspberry compote or Chocolate Bomb with passion fruit coulis.
Station 4
Enjoy a three-course meal priced at $170 per couple, which includes a bottle of Champagne. Menu highlights include Belgian Endives with pickled apples; Sweet Jesus oysters with chipotle-mezcal nage; Rabbit bolognese; and Seared tuna with ponzu compressed bok-choy. Desserts include Apple Tart Tatin with clotted cream, sharp cheddar cheese or Chocolate Soup with coconut meringue, orange, candied rose petals.
Sushiko
Check out the Valentine’s Day Omakase, a seven-course menu that features the restaurant’s most creative and unique dishes derived from the freshest and most exciting ingredients in the kitchen. This menu consists of a Champagne toast, five original small dishes, a sushi course, and dessert, and is priced at $140 per couple.
Toro Toro
Try a four-course prix fixe at Toro Toro for $85 per person. Standout dishes include Black Truffle & Salsify Soup; Umami Gnocchi; Aji Marisol Braised Chile Relleno; Braised Kale Empanadas with Manchego cheese; Petite Filet Mignon; Jumbo Garlic Shrimp; New Bedford Sea Scallops, as well as Cedar Creek Prime Ribeye. Then, it’s time for dessert and the White Chocolate La Bomba with cream cheese mousse, passion fruit sorbet, chocolate, rose petals, cookie crumbs, strawberries and cream and dulce de leche ice cream mixed berries, caramel, and vanilla bean crème anglaise.
Ulah Bistro
Enjoy a three course prix fixe at $100 per couple at Ulah Bistro. Highlights include Lobster Bisque Soup with blood orange segments; Late Winter Chicory Salad; Pork Shank for Two or Wild Mushroom Risotto. For dessert, choose between Strawberry Cheese Cake with toasted almonds, strawberries, and chocolate and Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse with berries and cream.
Vinifera
At Vinifera, enjoy a special five-course menu priced at $90 per person, or $135 with wine pairings. Try distinctive dishes such as parsnip soup with crabmeat and pomegranate drizzle; seared foie gras with bacon jam; seared halibut with mini cornbread & shrimp pot pie; and veal chateaubri and with butternut squash, basil gnocchi and grilled figs. Finish the meal with raspberry three ways, semifreddo, sorbet, and soup; or with dark chocolate & grapefruit torte.
Vinoteca
Vinoteca is offering a five-course prix fixe dinner for $65 per person, with optional wine pairings costing $30. Begin with a selection of snacks such as Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Stuffed Dates, moving onto a selection of crudo dishes, like Beef Carpaccio or Charred Kale, followed by a secondi course with selections such as Arancini with Braised Bison and Gnocchi. Entrees include Duck with roasted squash grits and Roasted Cauliflower & Mushrooms. Get creative for dessert, with Beet & Strawberries with chocolate ice cream, blueberries & chestnut or Tres Leches Cake with banana-chocolate ice cream. Also check out the specialty San Valentino For 2 cocktail, meant to share, with Leyenda Mezcal, Meletti Amaro, Fernet, grapefruit juice and red wine ice cubes for $18.
Zaytinya
Zaytinya is offering a special menu which is both available with a la carte choices, as well as at a prix fixe of $75 per person. Dishes include Olde Salts Oysters Lindera honey vinegar, green apple, baharat; Lobster Kritharakia orzo pasta, tomato, feta; Papiatopita braised duck, foie gras, house-made phyllo; Lamb Bacon sweet gem lettuce, kohlrabi tzatziki, dill; Bone Marrow Kibbeh beef and bulgur wheat fritters, almonds, pine nuts, za’atar labneh and for dessert, Chocolate Rose Valrhona chocolate pudding, blood orange, cardamom cream.
Zengo
Zengo is serving up a three course menu for $59 per person. Check out dishes such as Lobster Fritters; Tuna Titadito; Wok Seared Scallops with bacon, as well as Hoisin Barbeques Colorado Lamb Chops. For dessert, choose between Asian Pear Empanada; Mexican Chocolate Tart, or the Passion Fruit Sorbet with Mexican wedding cookies.
Take Home Treats & Gifts
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Astro Doughnuts
Bring home a Valentine’s box of mini doughnuts for $20 from Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken. You’ll get two each of Cinnamon glazed doughnuts with a buttercream dollop, sprinkled with a spicy cinnamon sugar mix; Vanilla glazed doughnuts with a red velvet cake ball garnish; Chocolate glazed doughnuts with strawberry jam filling and white chocolate drizzle; Raspberry glazed doughnuts with white pearls; Chocolate glazed doughnuts with cherry jam filling and white chocolate drizzle; and Nutella glazed doughnuts with white chocolate drizzle and chocolate shavings. The boxes will be available only while supplies last in store on the 13th-14th — you may want to place a pre-order.
Bayou Bakery
NOLA native chef David Guas is giving his signature “BB” King Cake a romantic makeover for Valentine’s Day weekend. Each Brioche-style Heart-Shaped King Cake is enrobed with Creole Cream Cheese Icing and festooned with a pink and red sugar-dusting. All cakes come complete with a cherubic plastic Mardi Gras baby hidden inside, tri-colored beads and a notecard describing the rich history of the King Cake. Preorder before the holiday — last call on February 11th.
RareSweets
RareSweets will offer a few specialty items, including two different “Lets Get It On” gift boxes, chocked with treats for your loved one; spicy hot chocolate mini cakes with toasted marshmallows, chocolate dipped coconut macaroons; and royal iced heart cookies with epic love song lyrics—RareSweets’ own riff on the classic Valentine’s candy, Conversation Hearts.
Place your order for February 9th for gift boxes, or buy the mini cakes & cookies either by pre-order, or in the shop.
The small Let’s Get it On Gift Box is priced at $55 and includes 1 Jar House-Made Hot Cocoa Mix, 1 Package Vanilla Bean Marshmallows, 6 Coconut Macaroons Dipped in Chocolate and 6 Brown Butter Blondies. The large, priced at $67, includes all of that plus 6 Royal Iced Heart Cookies with Lyrics.
Valentine’s Day Alternatives: Brunch, Parties & more
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Cuba Libre
Ease up the belt buckle the morning after with an unlimited tapas brunch at Cuba Libre, priced at $48 per person, with bottomless drinks including Cuban Mary’s and a range of mimosas for $16 per person. The menu features new brunch dishes like the Tortilla en Cazuela, a cast iron frittata; One-Eyed Ropa Vieja Hash, classic Cuban shredded beef brisket; Panqueques, corn meal pancakes and crispy bacon; Crab Cake Benedict Croqueta; as well as Ceviche Mixto, lightly poached shrimp, Baja Bay scallops and squid.
DCanter
Sample 6 different champagnes while noshing on some artisanal cheeses from 6 to 7pm. The event is priced at $65 per person. Afterwards, you can bring home your favorite bubbly, or a bottle of wine, at a special priced. RSVP to reserve a space.
Dram & Grain
Dram & Grain will serve a romance-themed Cocktail Tasting For 2, where couples can taste through six cocktails for $85/person, while sipping Four Roses Bourbon from the whiskey taps. As the legend goes, Four Roses founder Paul Jones Jr. became smitten by a Southern belle, and he sent her a letter asking for her hand in marriage. If she said yes, she was to wear a corsage of roses to the upcoming grand ball, and when the day arrived, she came to ball in a beautiful gown with a corsage of four red roses, which inspired the name Four Roses Bourbon.
Fainting Goat
Visit Fainting Goat for their Broken Heart Brunch menu on Valentine’s Day. They’ll fix you right up — with bottomless Goat-Mosas and Bloody Goats. Chow down on every excuse in the book from “It’s Not You, It’s Me” – soft scrambled eggs with goat cheese, avocado & roasted cauliflower, and “I Thought We Were In an Open Relationship” – eggs in a basket with jamon Serrano & red eye gravy, to “Let’s Just Be Friends” – sunny side egg with chicken & potato hash and “We Were On A Break” – lobster quiche with leeks & fontina cheese. Entrees range from $8-$14 and bottomless drinks are $15.
Jack Rose
Visit Jack Rose’s terrace for a Valentine’s Day party to help you fix the reason you don’t have a good date — by getting groomed. Men will get a complimentary grooming service from Roosters of Georgetown and ladies can enjoy a braid bar by Haute 202 Salon. While admission is free, you can purchase VIP tickets for $15 to enjoy specialty craft cocktails featuring whiskey sponsor Glenfiddich.
In the main dining room, you’ll find a more traditional three-course prix fixe menu for $45, including selections like Chicken Confit Perlou, Grilled Half Lobster with Housemade Fettucine, and Apple-Cranberry Cobbler.
Nage Bistro
Throughout Valentine’s Day weekend, Nage Bistro is offering three special cocktails… named after the famous mistresses of Presidents. Nothing says romance like that. The Sally Hemings is their version of a cognac sidecar; the Marilyn Monroe is made from a combination of Champagne, rose water, and elderflower liqueur, and the Lewinsky is made with RumChata, honey liqueur and fresh cream. You’re warned — Shaken not stirred, don’t get any on your blue dress.
More traditionally, although equally provocatively, try a three-course menu for $55 available from the 13th-15th, with Foreplay followed by Intercourse and Happy Endings. Menu highlights include Oyster Rockefeller; Charleston She Crab Soup,; Hamachi Crudo; 45-Day Dry Aged Loin of Beef; and Lobster Crab Cakes. Dessert options include Coffee and Cigarettes, Stumptown Coffee infused crème brûlée; Ménage a Trois, white chocolate cheesecake, served with chocolate dipped strawberries and hot chocolate; Banana Split, ember roasted banana, peanut butter, salted caramel, smoked vanilla ice creams, served with hot fudge sauce, and the Strawberries & Champagne, étoile gelée, strawberries and Champagne cream.
Penn Social
The Washingtonian Singles Soiree and Anti-Valentine’s Day Party is being hosted at Penn Social from 7 to 9pm. Expect to find a “singled out” style DC dating game show which you can sign up for in advance by sending over a photo and bio. There will also be sweet bites, cocktails, games and more. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door, and include two free drinks.
Republic
Republic in Takoma Park is offering live music from “Gypsy jazz” singer, songwriter & instrumentalist Mary Alouette during dinner, and then a post-dinner Anti-Valentine’s Day concert featuring punk rock band Booze Riot starting at 10pm. Three special Anti Valentine’s Day cocktails will be served for $12 each, including Booze Riot made with Copper Fox Rye Whiskey, Amaro Averna and sherry; Fascist Pig made with Pig’s Nose Blended Scotch Whisky, Amaro Ramazzotti, green chartreuse, basil and garnished with a flamed orange peel and My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend made with Hennessy, Soliterre Dessert Wine, Amaro Montenegro and spied lemon juice – a house-made mix of lemon juice steeped in rosemary and anise.
Roofers Union
Go nontraditional with a masquerade party at Roofers Union. Enjoy live music by Jonny Grave and the Tombstones, and an open bar with better than rail cocktails and a selection of craft brews and wine from 10pm to 1am. You’re encouraged to wear a mask — this is a masquerade party, after all, not just another night at the bar. Tickets are priced at $60 per person.
Slate
On February 11th, start the festivities early with a flight of sparkling rose available for $18 from 5 to 10pm. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Capital Breast Care Center.Bubbles will include NV Chandon Sparkling Rose, California, NV Biutiful Cava Rose, Requena, Spain and NV Moet Chandon Brut Rose, Champagne, France. For the rest of the month, the flight will remain available at $20 (also benefiting Capital Breast Care Center).
STK
Screw Valentine’s Day, it’s time for Single Ladies Night Out on February 13th. Visit STK with the gals and stay for dinner, and the whole table will receive a complimentary round of Prosecco. Continue washing away your sorrows / celebrating your single life with bottomless brunch on Sunday, starting at 11:30am. If you must be into the romantic scene, then you should know that on Saturday, diners will end their meal with a complimentary offering of pink macarons to go.
Trummer’s on Main
Get started on the romance with an aphrodisiac tasting on Thursday the 12th, including two cocktails and two glasses of wine, all paired with an aphrodisiac snack, priced at $39 per person. Then you can skip straight to brunch on Saturday or Sunday, priced at $42 per person and including a light dish such as House Smoked Salmon Tartare or Roasted Beet Salad; an entree such as Shrimp & Grits or Duck Leg Confit & Oyster Hash; and finally a slice of Orange Limoncello Olive Oil Cake with blood orange mousse, orange supremes & burnt orange caramel sauce or Chocolate Risotto with toasted almonds & Chantilly cream.
For an actual Valentine’s Day dinner out, you’re still in luck at Trummer’s, with a three-course menu priced at $84 per person, or a four-course aphrodisiacs menu at $98 per person, with optional wine pairings for $52 per person.
Union Market
Check out a free yoga session at Union Market’s Dock 5 on Sunday morning. You’re encouraged to open your heart – and your chakras – and to bring a mat and an open mind. It’s a 90-minute session which will channel the flow of love and compassion, bringing harmonious balance to mind, body and spirit.
Via Umbria
Avoid the restaurant scene, and instead head to Via Umbria, for a special event including an authentic 4-course Umbrian-themed Italian meal and wine pairing, welcoming winemaker Roberto Di Filippo, who will be sharing stories about his life in Umbria, the role of food and wine in his culture and how his wines pair with certain foods. The meal will begin with passed appetizers. Priced at $125 per person, the special event will be available on both Saturday & Sunday at 7:30pm.
