When it comes to Valentine’s Day, it’s all about the classics: a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a bouquet of red roses, and – perhaps the most important – a candle-lit dinner for two. It’s the perfect opportunity to get dressed up and hit the town with your significant other for a meal that suits the occasion. If you’re searching for the perfect place to go to wine-and-dine on the holiday weekend, these five restaurants are serving specialized prix-fixe meals that were crafted with romance in mind.
Mon Ami Gabi
This Reston restaurant offers both a dine-in and a take-out version of their holiday special, so you can choose if you want to spend the night out on the town or stay in for a cozy night in. Either way, the meal consists of four courses, with two choices per course, including the choice between a sole meuniere–a French dish featuring lightly fried fish–or a filet mignon with truffles for the main. The dine-in version, for $150 per couple, includes a glass of sparkling wine, while the take-home option costs $175 and includes a full bottle of champagne. The special is available all weekend, starting on Thursday, February 10 and offered through Monday, February 14. 11950 Democracy Dr., Reston
Trummer’s
Trummer’s in Clifton is offering their Valentine’s prix-fixe dinner from Saturday, February 12 to Monday, February 14. The restaurant serves American cuisine focused on highlighting local produce and seafood, and their special menu gives you three courses for $92 per person. Even though it’s a prix-fixe you still have some choices to make; the menu features five options for the entrée, including seared sea scallops and duck confit tortellini. If you can’t make dinner, or if one celebratory meal just isn’t enough, Trummer’s also offers a $44 three-course Valentine’s brunch on Saturday and Sunday, with options ranging from a brioche French toast to an angus beef burger. 7134 Main St., Clifton
WHINO
For a romantic dinner with a less conventional atmosphere, WHINO in Arlington is an art gallery as well as a restaurant. The space is full of murals and installations from local artists, all centered around the style of “pop surrealism,” which gives the space an eccentric feel. On Valentine’s Day only, there’s a five-course fixed menu featuring roasted prawns and a surf n’ turf, ending with the classic chocolate-covered strawberries and red velvet cake for dessert, for a fixed price of $75 per person. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Second Floor, Arlington
Bastille Brasserie & Bar
At this French restaurant and bar in Alexandria, the Valentine’s Day special gives you the experience of a prix-fixe meal while still giving you plenty of options for each course. For the main entrée, there are five dishes to choose from, including filet mignon, or a truffle risotto for a vegetarian choice. The cost for three courses is $85 per person, with an additional $29 for wine pairings. 606 N. Fayette St., Alexandria
Dirty Habit
Located in the Penn Quarter area of Washington, DC, this restaurant is known for their cutting-edge atmosphere; their “film-noir-inspired” design will serve as an intriguing backdrop for the special occasion, with dark ambient lighting and edgy art features. Their Valentine’s special is a fixed price of $95 per person, and includes four courses of their eccentric fare, such as the lobster and foie gras for the main, featuring a salty-sweet white chocolate miso sauce. For an extra $45, you can get a craft cocktail pairing to complement each course. 555 Eighth St. NW, Washington, DC
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