The season of love is upon us, which means themed dinner dates, Galentine’s Day activities, and sweets and meals ready for delivery.
Read on for ideas to celebrate, whether you’re with friends, lovers, or flying solo.
ANJU: Chef Angel Barreto curated a prix-fixe, five-course Korean meal in person (with optional $40 beverage pairings) for Valentine’s Day. Think oxtail dumplings, lobster noodles with kimchi dressing, marinated porterhouse steak, and Nutella-stuffed sweet Korean pancakes (hotteok) for dessert. (1805 18th St NW, Feb. 14, $150 per person)
ANNABELLE: Under the umbrella of Ashok Bajaj’s restaurants, all of which are putting on holiday dinner specials, Annabelle will set tables for a glitzy three-course meal. Dishes are on theme: hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, skewered beef hearts, and Bavarian cake with strawberries and champagne aptly named “My Heart on a Plate.” Carry out for the same menu is also available. (2132 Florida Ave. NW, Feb. 13—14, $95 per person)
CUBA LIBRE: The restaurant starts celebrating the weekend before Valentine’s Day with la a carte specials like a chocolate torte and rose martini, but booking a date on the holiday comes with chocolate truffles and a blindfold to, in the restaurant’s words, heighten an “extrasensory dining experience—or save it for later.” Do with that what you will. A $20 non-refundable deposit is required for Valentine’s Day reservations. (801 9th St NW, Feb. 11—14)
DBGB KITCHEN & BAR: The brasserie, which reopened at CityCenter in December under Chef Anthony DiGregorio, is ready to bring you a very French Valentine’s Day dinner through three courses. Choose from beef bourguignon, lobster bisque, lemon tagliolini with king crab, or molten chocolate cake. (931 H Street NW, Feb. 14, $105 per person)
ILILI: The Wharf’s newest restaurant has a five-course Lebanese meal and optional wine pairing in person. Among the dishes are caviar, hummus and Baba Ghannouj spreads, and poached pears with vanilla bean mousse and chocolate ganache. Reservations are recommended. (100 District Square SW, 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, $150).
MELANGE: This Mount Vernon Triangle spot is known for its smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, which intertwine Ethiopian and French flavors. For Valentine’s day, a five-course, prix-fixe dinner at the restaurant includes oysters, berbere-cured salmon, and mascarpone cheesecake (add a bottle of wine or bubbly for an extra $50). The menu is available as take-out for two over the weekend. Preordering is required by Feb. 10. (449 K St NW, Feb. 14, $75 to $150 per person)
NINA MAY: A chef’s choice menu is on the docket for Valentine’s Day. Dine on cacio e pepe pasta dressed up in caramelized onions and ricotta, pan-seared rock fish, and a salted chocolate and caramel torte at the restaurant from Feb. 11 to 13 and to-go only on Feb. 14. Festive cocktails include a purple mule made with pisco, crème de violette, and lavender bitters. (1337 11th St NW, Feb. 11—14, $80 per person).
STELLINA PIZZERIA: This at-home dinner package for two on Valentine’s weekend, surprisingly, doesn’t include pizza. Instead, four courses lean on heart-shaped ravioli in caviar sauce, asparagus-crusted halibut, chocolate semifreddo (an Italian dessert that falls somewhere between ice cream and mousse) with pistachio ganache, and a spicy cherry glaze. Place orders by Feb. 10 for pick up from the Union Market or Arlington locations. (Multiple locations, Feb. 12 and 13, $150)
LA FAMOSA: Don’t feel like Valentine’s prep? The restaurant has got you covered with a “Mucho Amor” carry-out package — a three-course Puerto Rican meal for two with entrees and dessert — and add-ons like a flower arrangement from Concrete Rose Floral ($50) and handmade truffles from Artisan Confections ($12). (1300 4th Street SE, Feb. 11—14, $85)
GIFTS AND EXPERIENCES
SEND A COOKIEGRAM (OR FIVE): Cookies are the way to many hearts, and Levain Bakery’s fist-sized, gooey icons are available as single Valentine’s “cookiegrams,” in-house and by delivery. Visit the Georgetown bakery starting Feb. 11, or order gift-wrapped packages in four, eight and 12 stacks online. (3131 M St NW, Feb. 11—14, $4 to $68).
BAKE NIGHT: Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery in Navy Yard is shipping goodies like heart-shaped thumbprint cookies, chocolates, and a bake-your-own linzer cookie kit. To extend the sweetness, you can also nab a cookie-of-the-month subscription. (1205 Half St SE Suite #105, now through Feb. 14, $10 to $120).
GET CATTY: Cat lovers can celebrate at Georgetown’s Crumbs & Whiskers on two nights—Galentine’s and Valentine’s—with dozens of your closest furry friends (and anyone else you decide to bring). Tickets include a café beverage and sweets (3109 M St NW, February 13 and 14, 7 to 8 p.m., $45).
WINE FOR GALENTINE’S: Immigrant Food+ at Planet Word museum put together wine flights that honor women winemakers around the world. Stop in for pours and a baked brie skillet for two, available for one week this month. Reservations suggested. (925 13th St NW, Feb. 9—16, $25 for the brie for two, $22 per wine flight four wines included).
TEA FOR A FEW: Dumbarton House is hosting a virtual Galentine’s Day tea on the history of friendship. Tickets include a short virtual program, a tea box with Firehook Bakery scones and The Sweet Lobby macarons, and craft kits to make a paper hearts garland and decorate cookies. Buy tickets by Feb. 9, then pick up supplies at Dumbarton House in Georgetown on Feb. 13. (Feb. 13, 1 to 3 p.m., virtual, $32).
CRAZY IN LOVE (WITH GOLF): Swingers DC in Dupont Circle, which offers crazy golf (a British term for mini-golf paired with cocktails, live DJs, and food), has date night covered. Get tickets just for a round of holes, or add on Valentine’s cocktails, a bottle of Perrier Jouet, or a heart-shaped pizza from Kneadza Pizza. (1330 19th St NW, Feb. 12-14, prices vary).
This story has been updated to include pricing information for Immigrant Food+ at Planet Word and to update the photo for Swingers DC.
