And now for those Valentine’s Day specials in Washington, D.C.
Urbana (2121 P St.NW, 202/956-6650): hearts, cheeks and tongues are the order of the day, available at the bar from February 11 to the 14th. That means smoked beef tongue, braised pork cheeks, hears of palm and red wine braised veal cheeks. The two tasting menus are not limited to those items and include such dishes as seafood cacciatore and lemon pound cake. The menu is priced at $65 per person with an additional $30 for wine pairings.
Poste Moderne Brasserie (555 8th St.NW, 202/783-6060): Sharable plates, available for $80 per person are Chef Dennis Marron’s idea. The meal begins with a seafood platter, followed by Caesar salad, mushroom risotto pork chops, roast beef, surf & turf of chateaubriand, crab stuffed lobster, macaroni and cheese and roasted vegetables. The finale is a chocolate decadence dessert. For those unwilling to share, there’s also a singles menu for $75. The special menus are available only on February 14.
Firefly (1310 New Hampshire Ave.NW, 202/861-1310): Guests will begin their five-course $75 prix-fixe dinner with a glass of sparkling wine. The special menu, which includes roasted apple and celery root soup and caramelized banana split, will be available only on Valentine’s Day.
Blue Duck Tavern (24th and M St.NW, 202/419-6755): From 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, a four-course prix fixe menu will be available for $70 per person, as well as the complete a la carte menu. Feast on pepper crusted scallops, butter poached lobster, and warm chocolate fondant with rosemary cream, among other special dishes.
Zentan (1155 14th St.NW, 202/379-4366): Oysters, short ribs, house-made truffles grace the four-course menu at Zentan. A special cocktail will be available on Valentine’s Day - the She.Wa.Da, which is Chinese for “be mine.”
Oval Room (800 Connecticut Ave.NW, 202/463-8700):The $85 three-course menu prepared by Chef Tony Conte on February 14 will include a crudo of Maine sea scallops, rib eye steak, red snapper and vanilla almond ice cream bon bons.
1789 (1226 36th St,.NW, 202/965-1789): The restaurant is always a romantic spot and on the 14th, the four-course special menu, priced at $65 per person, will be very special, ending with a desert of warm red velvet donuts for two. Parking is complimentary.
Rasika (633 D St.NW, 202/637-1222): If you don’t want French, Italian or American, try Rasika’s Indian specialties. From 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, a special four-course menu, priced at $85 will be served. A three-course menu, priced at $55, will be available in the lounge area. For an extra $45 per person,l wine pairings will be available.
Don’t want a full dinner, then try Cork Market & Tasting Room (1805 14th St.NW, 202/265-2674), where from 7 to 9 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy a tasting of six champagnes and a selection of small bites from the chef. Bites include seared scallop with blood orange, brown butter beignets and black truffle and gruyere gougeres. Th price is $75 per person, and reservations must be made by February 12.
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