Top 10 for Valen-dining


In the words of John Lennon, “All You Need Is Love” – and, might we add, a special place to celebrate over a nice meal.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now is the time to plan a special night out with your friends or loved ones. Feb. 14 falls on a Saturday this year, and the District has a slew of dining destinations for the sweetest weekend of 2015. Here are ten of our favorites

1. Hank’s Oyster Bar: You know what they say about oysters. Hip D.C. hotspot Hank’s will be having a three-course tasting menu for $33 on Valentine’s Day, with cocktail pairings for an additional $20. Call 202-462-4265 or visit hanksoysterbar.com. 633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE and 1624 Q St. NW.

2. After Peacock Room: Sit amidst the beautiful Prussian blue, deep green, black and gilded interiors and enjoy a five-course Valentine’s Day tasting menu for $95 per person, with an optional $40 wine-pairing supplement. Seating for dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., with the last seating at 9:30. Reservations required. Call 202-525-4903 or visit afterpeacockroom.com. 2622 P St. NW.

3. Acqua al 2: The Italian favorite in Eastern Market is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. Swing by on Feb. 14 for a five-course menu for $85. (Ask the reservationist about Harold Black’s bar upstairs for a pre- or post-dinner drink. This swanky, secretive speakeasy serves up sleek, smooth cocktails.) Call 202-525-4375 or visit acquaal2dc.com. 212 7th St. SE.

4. Café Bonaparte: If cozy, French, romantic dining is your kind of vibe, be sure to swing by local Georgetown favorite Café Bonaparte, where there will be a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner by Michelin 2-star chef Gerard Pangaud for $69 per person. An early-seating three-course dinner is also available for $59. Call 202-333-8830 or visit cafebonaparte.com. 1522 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

5. Tabard Inn: Cozy up at D.C.’s Tabard Inn – serving treasured holiday meals for more than 25 years – and indulge in their four-course prix-fixe menu for $90 per person. Call 202-331-8528 or visit tabardinn.com. 1739 N St. NW.

6. Proof: “Food is the Focus. Wine is the Passion.” Such is the motto at this popular Penn Quarter dining destination. The team at Proof is currently putting together a four-course prix-fixe menu for Valentine’s Day. Call 202-737-7663 or visit proofdc.com. 775 G St. NW.

7. Restaurant Nora: Indulge in a beautifully crafted Valentine’s dinner at America’s first certified organic restaurant. For $130 per person, you will sit down to five courses, with options such as Belgian endive salad, housemade red pepper tagliatelle with black truffles and Grand Marnier crème brûlée. Call 202-462-5143 or visit noras.com. 2132 Florida Ave. NW.

8. La Piquette: This charming Cleveland Park bistro has a wonderfully authentic French tasting menu planned for your Valentine’s night out. Perhaps foie gras or vol-au-vent…braised lamb shank…a fresh berry dessert with crème Chantilly – their $60 three-course menu will delight the soul. Call 202-686-2015 or visit lapiquettedc.com. 3714 Macomb St. NW.

9. 2941 Restaurant: Escape the hustle and bustle of D.C. and venture out to Falls Church, where, over the entire Valentine’s weekend, 2941 will be serving a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $78. Think tuna tartare with avocado, black truffle ribollita, fresh East Coast oysters, filet mignon, seafood risotto and dark chocolate mousse. Reservations required. Call 703-270-1500 or visit 2941.com. 2941 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Va.

10. 1789 Restaurant: Enjoy a six-course tasting menu in the Federal-style dining destination that locals have called a favorite since the 1960s. The prix-fixe menu, available from 5 to 11 pm, costs $105 ($150 with wine pairings). Complimentary valet parking. Call 202-965-1789 or visit 1789restaurant.com. 1226 36th St. NW.

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