Restaurants Offer Romantic Dinner Specials
Feb. 14 brings couples together on Valentine’s Day for a romantic dining adventure for two, and the DMV has a variety of dining options from creative American dishes to a Japanese feast for lovebirds to enjoy. With Valentine’s Day falling on Sunday this year and President’s Day on Monday, many are extending their specials throughout the weekend. But you better make your reservations now if you don’t want to end up sleeping on the couch. And don’t worry if you don’t have a date, The Prospect and Fainting Goat are having anti-Valentine’s specials for all the singles out there.
1789 Restaurant
1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St. NW, is serving a prix fixe six-course tasting menu from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday for $125 per person or $175 per person with wine pairings. The menu features a duck confit truffle with foie gras, orange marmalade, Perigord black truffles and duck consommé gelee; squid ink conchiglie with roasted tomatoes, squid, lardo, panko bread crumbs and parsley; sablefish with black imperial rices, sesame puree and charred green onion; Japanese A5 Wagyu with jalapenos coulis, candied kumquats, mizuna and coriander dust; rack of Colorado lamb with rutabaga, hedgehog mushrooms, fried shallots and natural jus. Dessert is dark chocolate mousse with devil’s food cake, black pepper, strawberry preserves and chocolate ice cream. The tasting menu must be ordered by the whole table.
701 Restaurant
701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering an $85 three-course tasting menu with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert from 5-10:45 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Appetizers include hot and cold foie gras with mochi donuts, apple and long peppercorns; tuna tartar with white curry, tobiko wasabi caviar and kaffir lime; and doppio raviolo with braised rabbit, butternut fonduta and truffle vinaigrette. Entrée choices include scallops with popcorn purée, kumquat and fennel; N.Y. strip steak with potato terrine and black garlic; and duck breast with quinoa, green curry and pineapple jus. Dessert options include elderflower parfait with pineapple-pink peppercorn, coconut and almond streusel; creamsicle with vanilla parfait, orange sherbet and meringue; or white chocolate crème brûlée with mixed berry sauce and pate de fruit. There will also be live piano and bass duet playing contemporary jazz music throughout the evening. All week long, the restaurant will serve a special cocktail for $12 based on Katherine O’Reilly’s steamy novel about sex and scandal at family auction house. Sex Straight Up is made with Leopold Brothers peach whiskey, orange juice, Cynar, grenadine and sparkling wine.
Agora
Agora, 1527 17th St. NW, will serve a four-course dinner from 5-10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day for $59 per person. Couples can feast on traditional Greek dishes such as seared scallops with saffron yogurt sauce and sautéed mushrooms; grilled large shrimp, head-on with garlic, oregano, olive oil and lemon juice; lobster salad with avocado purée and yuzu basil vinaigrette; venison chop with asparagus and pomegranate reduction; and pan seared sea bass served over white truffle polenta, garlic confit and tomato broth. Dessert choices include chocolate cake with raspberry coulis or kadayif, shredded phyllo disks layered with vanilla milk pudding, topped with orange blossom honey and pistachios. Couples will also receive a complimentary glass of Champagne.
Ambar
Ambar, 523 Eighth St. SE, is offering a Journey of 19 Tastes for Two menu from 4-10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Couples can enjoy 19 traditional Balkan dishes for $55 per person, and begins with a starter of creamy zucchini soup with potato and sundried tomato followed by a mezze platter to share which includes aged kajmak, traditional Balkan spread made with aged skim milk; urnebes spread with chili flakes, cow cheese and roasted peppers; ajvar spread with roasted red bell peppers, eggplant and chili; and a selection of artisan meats, pork cracklings, aged cow cheese and bacon wrapped prunes stuffed with almond and goat cheese. Next is a Balkan salad with cucumber, onion, red and yellow peppers, tomato, cows’ milk cheese and cherry dressing followed by an assortment of vegetables and pies such as Brussels sprouts with bacon, lemon and garlic yogurt; cheese pie with crispy phyllo, cucumber yogurt and roasted red pepper sauce; leek croquet with ajvar emulsion and panko crust; and mushroom crepe with red pepper emulsion, béchamel and gouda. For the final course, guests will enjoy a seafood platter with salmon, shrimp, calamari, branzino and mussels served with cold potato salad or the mixed meat platter with pork tenderloin, Balkan kebab, brined chicken, smoked pork sausage and burger served with urnebes spread.
Ardeo+Bardeo
Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, will serve a three-course prix fixe menu for $70 per person from 5-10 p.m. on Feb. 14. Diners can choose from dishes such as beet salad with ricotta, grapefruit and frisée; tuna tartare with avocado purée, lemon soy dressing and crispy rice; pan roasted diver scallops with cauliflower, homshemeji, mushrooms and raisin-tamarind jus; Maine lobster with Singapore noodles, bok choy and white curry; and braised beef short ribs with parsnip cream, gremolata and roasted root vegetables. Dessert options include apple crisp with cranberries, oat crumble and vanilla ice cream; brioche bread pudding with caramel sauce and chocolate ice cream; and chocolate mousse with raspberry gelee. Also, all week long, the restaurant will offer a special cocktail for $12. Based on Julie James’ suspenseful novel involving politicians, sex, scandal and murder, Something About You is made with Bulleit bourbon, grapefruit juice, strawberry purée, honey lemon syrup and basil.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, 1308 G St. NW and 7511 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, is selling a dozen mini doughnuts for $20 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The mixed dozen includes two creme brûlée doughnuts, two vanilla glazed doughnuts with red sprinkles, two chocolate glaze doughnuts filled with strawberry jam and covered with a white chocolate and vanilla drizzle, two vanilla glazed doughnuts with cherry filling and a pink drizzle, two Nutella glazed doughnuts with chocolate shavings and a white chocolate drizzle, and two red velvet doughnuts with cream cheese glaze and red velvet cake crumbs.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW, will serve a four-course prix fixe menu with choice of antipasti, primi, secondi and dessert tasting for $85 per person or $130 with wine pairings from 5-9:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. The menu includes crudo, Maine diver scallops with pickled baby beets and tangerine pressed olive oil; bombette, pancetta wrapped veal loin with caciocavallo and salsa verde; agnolotti del pin, rabbit confit filled “pinched” ravioli with licorice root infused butter; salmerino affumicato, hay and herb smoked Icelandic arctic char with braised puntarella and roasted Cara Cara orange broth; and stinco di maiale per due, roasted heritage pork shank for two with lacquered vegetables and sugo finto. The dessert tasting for two includes vanilla panna cotta with pistachio crumble, dacquoise and grapefruit sorbet; torta, almond financier, mascarpone mousse and cherry sorbet; and per due, assorted petit fours, flourless chocolate mousse cake, blood orange emulsion and white chocolate gelato. Also, all week, Bibiana will be pouring a special cocktail, Ravished, made with Bulldog London dry gin, amaro tagliatella and Rothman & Winter pear liqueur with sage for $12. The drink is based on Amanda Quick’s novel that takes readers from the cozy confines of a tiny seaside village to the glittering crush of a fashionable London soiree; an enthralling tale of a thoroughly mismatched couple, poised to discover the rapture of love.
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern, 1201 24th St. NW, is serving a five-course, prix fixe menu for two priced at $95 per person from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. The meal begins with an amuse bouche followed by tea smoked scallops with vanilla Jerusalem artichoke purée and trout roe. The third course is seared foie gras with wood oven-roasted pineapple and spiced brioche followed by the entrée of roasted rose veal chop with salsify, Matsutake mushroom and port wine jus. The meal ends with a Heart’s Desire, strawberry cremeux with Champagne mousse, lemon sponge cake and Champagne sorbet.
The Bombay Club
The Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave. NW, offering a five-course, prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu from 5:30-10:30 p.m. for $85. The meal begins with an amuse bouche of badami shorba, almonds and morels, followed by a chaat course and then a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. Appetizers include oyster pani puri with wheat puffs, mint, cranberry and pineapple; bhatti ka guinea hen with cinnamon, clove, garlic and cumin; and lehsuni fish tikka with garlic, chili pepper and lentils. Entrées include duck pepper fry with green pepper, tomato and orange pulao; tandoori lobster chettinad with coconut, coriander, black pepper and anise; Adraki wild boar chop with ginger, yogurt and corn kitchdi; and sea bass curry with squash, saffron, coconut, tomato and fennel. Desserts include dark chocolate kulfi; strawberry crème caramel; pineapple cake and fig murrabba. The restaurant is also offering the Lord of Scoundrels, in tribute to the romance novel by Loretta Chase made with Cîroc vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, half and half, Chambord and garnished with pink sugar for $12 all week.
Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in the Four Seasons Hotel, is serving a three-course prix fixe dinner for $95 per person from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Appetizers include oysters by the half dozen, snapper crudo or sherried lobster bisque. Entrees include Wagyu short rib, lobster pot pie or seared striped bass, and dessert includes a choice of a Bourbon chocolate bar, toasted almond pavlova and red velvet cheesecake.
Buffalo & Bergen
Buffalo & Bergen, 1309 Fifth St. NW in Union Market, will have a special “Lover’s Delight, Cocktails at Night” menu from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The four-drink menu is $40 and offers a stroll down memory lane with Someday made with Champagne, persimmon, Asian shrub and gin; A Soulful Kiss with overproof whiskey, house-made amaro and bittered salt; What Came First with mescal, candied grapefruit and pink love; and Lover’s Delight with cognac, smoked lemon and burnt Tahitian demerara.
Central
Central, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a Valentiens’ Day brunch as well as a prix fixe dinner on Feb. 14. Brunch is $45 per person with an additional $15 for bottomless drinks from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Special dishes include duck leg confit, smoked salmon quiche, beet carpaccio, crab cake Benedict, filet mignon and cheesecake with passion fruit sauce. From 5-10 p.m., the candlelit three-course prix fixe menu is $65 with choices including chestnut soup with duck confit, tartare of loup de mer, sautéed jumbo crab meat, beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce and roasted duck breast. The meal finishes with a chocolate-raspberry heart for two. Poilvert-Jacques, Brut Champagne can be added for $65 per bottle.
Centrolina
Centrolina, 924 Palmer Alley in CenterCityDC, is offereing a special a la carte menu from 5-10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Dishes include antipastis, pasta and wood-fired meat and fish dishes such as burrata with caviar and potato chips, reginette pasta with crab, cod, potatoes, lemon butter and parmesan cheese, whole lobster and carota with roasted baby carrots, cauliflower and anchovy. Centrolina’s market will have roses, chocolate truffles and special gift baskets for sale Thursday through Sunday.
Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre , 801A Ninth St. NW will be offering two specials from 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 4-9 p.m. on Sunday. Dishes include grilled quail and Scotch quail egg, sour orange mojo marinated semi-boneless quail and Scotch quail egg croquette for $14 and the Boliche Cubano, chorizo-stuffed beef tenderloin with roasted tri-color fingerling potatoes, rioja-panela reduction and a Cuban house salad for $35. For the perfect pairing, there is a mojito cocktail, the Cacao Mojito, made with Selva Rey cacao rum, coffee vanilla liqueur, guarapo, lime and mint, served with an edible chocolate-vanilla straw for $11.
Del Campo
Del Campo, 777 I St. NW, is offering a three-course meal with an appetizer, asado, entrée or side and dessert. Choices include a smoked seafood box of two with spiny lobster, oysters, mussels, calamari and prawns; Mishima Wagyu ribeye, lamb shank, saffron Champagne risotto with rock shrimp, sunchoke and smoked egg yolk; and spicy braised swordfish.
El Centro D.F.
El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a la carte specials Feb. 12 and 13, as well as a three-course prix fixe menu on Valentine’s Day. For $48 per person, couples can begin their meal with a choice of tequila-lime oysters on the half shell, crunchy spicy shrimp, sweet corn empanadas or beef short rib gorditas. Entrée choices include beer-battered lobster tacos, mahi mahi Veracruzana, pan roasted airline chicken breast or N.Y. strip steak asado. Dessert includes flourless chocolate cake with Negra Modelo white chocolate mousse, chocolate sauce and passion fruit puree or caramel flan with fresh fruit and toasted almonds. A la carte menu specials range in price from $6-$29.
Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza
Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza, 610 Ninth St. NW, is showcasing ingredients touted as top aphrodisiacs with its In the Mood menu Feb. 12-14. Special menu items include the Oyster-disiac Pizza with roasted corn veloute, potato, leeks, smoked mozzarella and fried oysters ($15); and the Heart’s Delight Double Chocolate Pudding, dark and white chocolate hearts with fresh whipped cream and strawberries ($6). Also, guests can pair both dishes with two glasses of Primaterra Prosecco for $35.
Et Viola!
Et Viola!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, will offer a la carte specials during dinner service Friday through Sunday. Appetizer specials include rock shrimp with ginger and passion fruit consommé; and mushroom tart with parmesan shortbread and watercress whipped cream. Entrée specials include roasted leg of lamb with eggplant parmigiana and potato boulangère; and red snapper filet with lobster cavatelli and baby octopus. For dessert, the restaurant is serving rose petals made out of chocolate in white chocolate, raspberry, floral, dark chocolate 75 percent cacao, and spices. Specials range from $16.95-$29.95 each.
The Fainting Goat
The Fainting Goat, 1330 U St. NW, will serve a Broken Heart Brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. The a la carte menu includes “I Thought We Were on a Break,” soft scrambled eggs with goat feta cheese, avocado & tomato confit; “I’m Not Ready for a Commitment,” crispy pork with sunny side up egg, salsa verde and fingerling potatoes; “It’s Not You It’s Me,” French toast with Nutella, blueberries and bacon; “Let’s Just Be Friends,” quiche with grilled shrimp, goat cheese and green onion; and “Wasn’t It an Open Relationship?” eggs in a basket with Surryano ham and red eye gravy. Brunch entrees range from $8-$14 and bottomless drinks, including Goat-Mosas and Bloody Goats are $15.
Le Ferme
Le Ferme, 7101 Brookville Road, Chevy Chase, is offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $85 per person from 5-11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The meal starts with an amuses bouche followed by the first course, which includes house-smoked Norwegian salmon and pan seared sea scallops in puff pastry with sautéed spinach, Chanterelle mushrooms and chive beurre blanc. Main courses include roast filet of beef Chateaubriand style with béarnaise sauce, roast half duckling á l’orange or tournedos of ahi tuna au poivre. Dessert includes a selection of mini pastries.
G by Mike Isabella
G by Mike Isabella, 2201 14th St. NW, is serving a five-course dinner for $65 with an optional beverage paining for $39 or a premium beverage pairing for $59 Feb.12-14. The menu includes antipasti featuring burratta, arancini and beet salad, snapper crudo, spicy lobster amatriciana, beef short ribs for the table and a selection of seasonal desserts.
Graffiato
Graffiato, 707 Sixth St. NW, is offering a Valentine’s Weekend special tasting menu for two for $130 per couple. The special includes either lam shoulder, pork shoulder or whole bronzino for two along with individual plates of scallop crudo, squid ink garanelli and amaretto donuts. Also, the bar will be offering sharable couples cocktails all weekend.
Legal Sea Foods
Legal Sea Foods, 704 Seventh St. NW, Tysons Galleria, Mclean and 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, is serving two Valentine’s Day specials. The shellfish sampler includes two shrimp cocktail, two Merry oysters and two littleneck clams for $12.95 and the king crab and 1 ¼-pound lobster for $34.95. Hours vary by location.
L’Hommage Bistro Francais
L’Hommage Bistro Francais, 450 K St. NW, will offer guests a four-course tasting menu for $75 per person from 5:30-11 p.m. this Valentine’s Day. The meal begins with a petite charcuterie for two followed by creamy potato leek soup with sorrel and cracked black pepper. Entrée choices include chestnut honey roasted duck breast with confit leg, roasted chestnut and cherry dressing; beef bourguignon with baby vegetables and red wine sauce; or pan roasted snapper with creamy coriander rice, lemongrass pot-au-feu and mango salsa. Dessert is a chocolate and caramel selection for two.
The Layfayette
The Layfayette at the Hay-Adams Hotel, 800 16th St. NW, is offering a four-course prix fixe dinner for $95 per person from 5-10 p.m. on Feb. 13 and 14. First course options include Tuscan kale salad or and yellowfin tuna carpaccio followed by a choice of roasted sunchoke soup with black truffle or Pennsylvania mushroom vol-au-vent. Entrée course options include diver scallops with confit tomatoes, artichokes, Brussels sprouts and cider gastrique; Niman Ranch beef filet with smoked Yukon gold potato purée, winter vegetables and madeira sauce; Chatham cod with little neck clams, baby bok choy, Thumbelina carrots and an ocean herb broth; or cedar plank, honey-roasted salmon for Two with vanilla sweet potato mousse, glazed baby turnips and caper butter sauce. For dessert, guests can enjoy a tempting selection of sweet treats such as baked Manjari “grand cru” chocolate mousse with toasted almond ice cream or passion fruit white chocolate cheesecake with mango sorbet.
Lupo Verde
Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, will offer three specials from 5-11 p.m. on Valentine’s Day in addition to its a la carte menu. Specials include ostriche e prosecco, a half-dozen assorted oysters served with homemade salsa rosa and gnocco fritto “prosecco rose”; tagliolini all’ astice e limone, homemade tagliolini, San Marzano tomatoes, lobster, chili, red onion and Amalfi lemon; and rosso passione, red velvet lava cake with passion fruit sauce. Prices range from $14-$30.
Macon Bistro & Larder
Macon Bistro & Larder, 5520 Connecticut Ave. NW will offer a four-course prix fixe menu for $75 per person or $100 with beer and wine pairings on Sunday with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. Diners will begin their meal with an amuse bouche of Essie’s heart shaped biscuits with smoked tomato butter. Next, guests will have a choice of appetizers such as artisan greens with sherry vinaigrette; grana padano and warm duck confit; or butternut squash cappuccino with espresso soli and sage crumble followed by entrées such as roasted Arctic char with braised lentils, citrus beurre blanc and trinity; braised beef short ribs with truffled grits, haricot verts, bourbon lacquer and demi-glaze; or wild mushroom risotto with roasted root vegetables and parsnip purée. The third course is an artisan cheese plate with spiced nuts and herbed fougasse crackers followed by a choice of deconstructed strawberry shortcake or red velvet whoopee pie for dessert. Additionally, the restaurant is serving five special cocktails throughout the weekend for $12. Cocktails include The French Kiss with Baileys, Chambord, espresso and creme de cocoa garnished with a macerated cherry reduction; Love Potion #10 with vodka, Domaine Canton ginger liqueur, creme de violette and sparkling wine individually bottled and poured tableside in a coupes glass and garnished with an edible flower; the Cobra Blood with Traverse City bourbon whiskey, Cappelletti red aperitivo, Angostura bitters, Emilio Lustau sherry served on the rocks and garnished with a long serpentine lemon twist; the 100 First Dates with Domoiseau VSOP French rum, spiced date syrup and orange bitters served in a tall martini glass and garnished with orange; and the Blueberry Malunggay Tea.
Mango Tree
Mango Tree, 929 H St. NW in CityCenterDC, is serving a prix fixe menu for $50 per person or $65 with a bottle of sparkling wine from Saturday through Monday. The meal includes a Thai appetizer platter to share along with a starter or ma hor, pineapple with sweet minced pork relish followed by lemongrass sorbet; an entrée of maha samut, a fresh caught seafood platter with king crab yellow curry, grilled scallop, grill shrimp, roasted Brussels sprouts and curry rice, or nuer hom, a grilled met platter with striped loin, lamb rack, chicken satay, roasted Brussels sprouts and curyy rice; kanom waan, a lemongrass chocolate cake with coconut mousse and basil cake crumble.
Marcel’s
Marcel’s, 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a five-course menu for $150 per person. The meal finishes with raspberry-vanilla vacherin served with raspberry and thyme coulis and crispy meringue followed by a special friandise with assorted truffles and petits fours.
Masa 14
Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW, will offer a five-course prix fixe tasting menu to share for $64 per person on Valentine’s Day. The meal begins with a seafood platter that includes baked crab roll, tuna sashimi and oysters en granite. The second course is Wagyu carpaccio with beets, horseradish, juniper, sorrel and egg yolk followed by Spanish octopus confit with romesco sauce, curried orange, radish, brown butter and grapefruit. The entrée is porchetta with miso, ume, apricot jam, mustard greens and king trumpets. Finish with chocolate mousse with shortbread, Luxardo cherry, lemon verbena and pistachio.
Nopa Kitchen + Bar
Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $75 per person with a glass of sparking rose from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. The menu offers a selection of starters such as chioggia beet and blood orange salad with mache, citrus yogurt, pistachios and saba; or crispy duck confit roulade with braised local beans, faro, Andouille sausage and blood orange jus. Entrées include pan seared Hokkaido scallops with Meyer lemon, beets, roasted cauliflower and a Szechuan peppercorn emulsion; pan roasted Shenandoah Berkabaw pork chop with Sea Island red peas, Carolina Gold rice, chicharrón, pickled turnips and hedgehog mushrooms; and butter poached Maine lobster stew with rock shrimp, mussels, Mahogany clams, leeks, Skuna caviar and fennel confit. Dessert options include chocolate hazelnut cheesecake with candied kumquats, gianduja, crème fraiche and chocolate pearls; and winter citrus Pavlova with red currant mousse, pomegranates and white chocolate powder. All week long, Nopa will feature a special $12 cocktail based on Stephanie Perkins novel about Anna’s adventures whisking her suddenly from Atlanta, Ga., to Paris for her senior year of college. Anna and the French Kiss is made with house-infused orange vodka, white creme de cacao garnished with a white chocolate kiss and orange zest.
The Oval Room
The Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, 20006 will serve a four-course prix fixe menu for $85 per person or $125 with optional wine parings from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday. The menu features dishes such as pheasant ravioli with consommé, cured hen egg and gold leaf; sashimi of sazuki with candied rose petals, lava salt and yuzu emulsion; butter poached lobster with maple glazed chestnuts, celery root and porcini crema; pan roasted N.Y. strip with charred salsify, hedgehog mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and madeira jus; and cider braised pork cheeks with crispy pig ears, cheddar grits, sweet pepper relish and rye jus. Dessert options include Valrhona chocolate cake with bittersweet chocolate mousse and raspberry crémeux; pistachio cake with white chocolate mousse and cherry gelée; red velvet cake with winter citrus cream cheese. All week long, the restaurant will offer a special $12 cocktail based on author Laura Florand’s novel in that welcomes readers to La Maison des Sorcieres, where in their tiny blue kitchen, Magalie Chaudron and her two aunts stir wishes into bubbling pots of heavenly chocolat chaud. The Chocolate Kiss is made with crème de cacao, truffle liqueur and cava with an orange twist.
The Prospect
The Prospect, 1214 U St. NW, is hosting its first annual Rumble Riot Anti-Valentine’s Day Bash from 5 p.m.-close on Valentine’s Day. Drown your sorrows in booze or duke out a heartbreak with two agony-themed cocktails: the Spicy Duel with green chili vodka, house-made ginger beer and red pepper or the Tears in My Cider with Beefeater gin, strawberry, lavender and dry for $5 each. In addition, the sports bar will show the best of vintage boxing matches on its televisions.
Rasika Penn Quarter
Rasika Penn Quarter, 633 D St. NW, will offer a four-course, prix fixe menu for $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings from 5-10 p.m. on Feb. 14. The meal begins with an amuse bouche of truffle rasam with lentil, tamarind and truffle oil. Dishes include tulsi tikka with basil, garlic and mint chutney; ananas seekh kebab with lamb, garam masala and pineapple murabba; goan black cod with peri peri masala and coconut rice; lobster caldine with cilantro, green chilies and coriander seeds; and duck moilee with ginger, green chilies and coconut milk. For dessert, couples will enjoy a sampler of chocolate bread pudding, strawberry kulfi, bebinca and saffron rasmalai. Also, all week the restaurant will serve the Indigo, a blend of lemon juice, JMW hibiscus liquor and Botanist gin garnished with an orchid leaf for $12. The drink celebrates Beverly Jenkins’ novel about passion, love, hope, fear, faith, deception and friends during one of the darkest times in U.S. history.
Rasika West End
Rasika West End, 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW, is featuring a four-course Valentine’s Day menu priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday. The meal begins with an amuse bouche of cheese chili balls with cheddar cheese and chili garlic chutney. Dishes include karwari oysters with tamarind and karwari chutney; truffle samosas with cumin, filo and date tamarind chutney; tandoori suwa scallops with fresh dill, hung yogurt and mint chutney; halibut green curry with cilantro, mint and green chili; and ananas lamb chops with cashews, pineapple, mace and cardamom. For a sweet ending, a dessert sampler with chocolate bread pudding, strawberry kulfi, bebinca and saffron rasmalai is included. Also, all week long the restaurant will serve The India Fan cocktail for $12 made with mezcal, Genepy des Alpes liqueur, crème de pampelmousse rose liqueur, Campari and a dash of Scrappys cardamom bitters garnished with a flamed orange twist. The drink is based on Victor Holt’s novel that centers around the inheritance of an extraordinary fan with a beautiful and fateful curse.
La Sandia
La Sandia, 7852L Tysons Corner Center, is celebrating with a prix fixe menu Feb. 12-14. Priced at $31.95 per person, couples can select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the featured menu. Dishes include tableside baja guacamole, beef and chorizo empaadas, an Anaheim relleno, chicken zarape and molcajete tacos. Dessert choices include pasilla lava cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate-covered strawberries or a banana empanada with cinnamon sugar, vanilla bean ice cream and cajeta sauce.
Slate Wine Bar + Bistro
Slate Wine Bar + Bistro, 2404 Wisconsin Ave. NW, will be serving a five-course regular or vegetarian menu for $50 with wine pairings an additional $30. Diners can also add fresh burgundy black truffles for an additional $40. The special menu, which includes choices such as lobster gnocchi, grilled lamb chops, pan seared halibut, filet mignon and seasonal risotto, is available along with the restaurant’s regular menu on Friday, Saturday and Monday and is the only menu offered on Valentine’s Day from 4-11 p.m.
The Source
The Source, 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is offering a special weekend brunch menu as well as a prix fixe Couple’s Tasting Menu Friday through Sunday. Brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and will feature items, such as crystal chive dumplings with Red Wattle pork and Maryland crab, duck bao buns and roast pork fried rice. Valentine’s Day specials on the menu include Wagyu steak frites and tempura lobster benedict topped with yuku kosho hollandaise followed by the “Chocolate Four Play” dessert, a molten cake with strawberry, sorbet and truffle. Special brunch cocktails will also be served, including a “V-Day Mary,” a twist on a Bloody Mary featuring a chilled oyster and kimchi mignonette. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, a five-course couple’s tasting menu will be offered for $155 per person with an optional $65 wine pairing. The meal begins with Black Opal caviar and a scallion flower roll. The meal continues with the “I Like the Way You Roll” course with O-Toro, Yusheng and a lobster tempura and avocado roll. Dim sum will be served for the second course with Littleneck clams and fermented chili bean and pork and chive dumplings served with smoked soy. The third course is a Sichuan bacon-wrapped black sturgeon alongside a rice flour battered loup de mer. The next course, dubbed “Opposites Attract,” features a cumin chili dusted N.Y. strip and a whole Maine lobster. The final course includes an orange blossom sorbet along with the “Chocolate Four Play” dessert and passion fruit panna cotta.
Station 4
Station 4, 1101 Fourth St. SW, 20024, will serve a three-course prix fixe menu priced at $59 per person from 5-11 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Dishes include langoustine soup with sherry wine and langoustine tartar; scallop crudo with avocado purée, ginger emulsion, crispy quinoa and radish; seared sea bass with Kalamata olive jam, asparagus and celery root purée; pappardelle pasta with lobster sugo and green olives; and pork ossobuco with mushroom risotto, roasted vegetables and pecorino romano. For dessert, choose macarons or chocolate ganache cake with coconut snow and coconut sorbet. Couples can add a bottle of Champagne for $59.
Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers vegan bakery, 1370 Park Road NW, has several month-long specials including a Champagne-passion fruit cupcake, a chocolate-covered strawberry cupcake, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes topped with Valentine’s Day fondant decorations, smackers chocolate covered peanut butter balls, banana-chocolate chip muffins and sweetheart cakes, 4-inch choco-raspberry cake with love birds or vanilla-raspberry cake rosettes and a fondant heart.
Sushiko
Sushiko, 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, will offer a five-course, prix fixe Japanese menu from 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Sunay featuring a variety of traditional and creative dishes. Priced at $70 per person, the menu begins with house-made tofu with bonito flakes, sea urchin and dashi broth followed by eggplant nama-fu with shio goma, micro cilantro, lemon miso; hamachi crudo with grapefruit segments, serrano pepper and yuzu ponzu; and an entrée of spicy bara chirashi served with seasonal fish, vegetables, poached egg, chili soy and ichimi togarashi. To complete the meal on a sweet note, lovebirds will enjoy a chocolate mousse with sponge cake and red shiso purée.
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
Texas Jack’s Barbecue, 2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington, is offering a medley for two featuring a 1/3 pound of brisket, ¼ of a chicken, two Duroc St. Louis-style spare ribs and one Meatcrafters Duroc habañero charro sausage link with two Champagne cocktails including a raspberry Kir royale, Champagne julep, bellini or Champagne for $30.
Toro Toro
Toro Toro, 1300 I St. NW, is offering a la carte dinner specials in addition to the regular menu Friday through Sunday. Featured menu items tuna poke tacos, braised short rib cachapas, poached lobster tail, half a roasted semi-boneless chicken, and churrasco grilled lamb sirloin for two. Special range from $16-$46.
Trummer’s on Main
Trummer’s on Main, 7314 Main St., Clifton, Va., is offering a Sweet Seduction all-dessert tasting menu from visiting pastry chef Douglas Hernandez in the upstairs Gallery Room on Feb. 10 and 11. The menu begins with a soup course such as basil lime consommé followed by a second course of roasted fruit garnished with brown butter hazelnut cake with roasted salted caramel. The entrée includes the hazelnut filled profiterole covered in milk chocolate mousse, milk jam with candied doc nibs and Nutella powder. The three-course dessert tasting is $32 with an optional beverage pairing for $22.
Yona
Yona, 4000 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon, will offering a fixed-price Valentine’s menu for $65 with cocktails pairings for an additional $35.
Zengo
Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW, will celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a la carte dinner specials Feb. 12-14. Specials include Wagyu beef tiradito; tempura shrimp roll with avocado, masago, butter lettuce and lo macho aioli; Korean fried chicken lettuce wraps; spicy lobster curried noodles; and Chinese braised beef short ribs. For dessert, Zengo will offer chocolate tres leches with salted caramel whipped cream and chocolate sauce. A la carte menu specials range from $8-$29.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.