Whether you’re looking for a date night out, a date night in, or just some treats to sweeten up Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, Arlington has plenty of options. Check out the food specials at these area restaurants to help you properly set the mood.
2941
Indulge in a lunchtime or evening three-course meal at this elegant Falls Church restaurant from executive chef Bertrand Chemel. At lunch ($75 per person), consider starting with a “pastrami” of baby beets ornamented with goat cheese, arugula and cranberry coulis. Dinner entree options ($105 per person) include Dover sole and grilled rack of lamb. Top that off with Chocolate Lovers (dark chocolate-orange cremeux, pistachio gelato, warm chocolate sauce) off the dessert list. And if you’d rather stay in, order one of their meals for two. ($140+) // 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church
Ambar
Take your pick of unlimited small plates ($89.99 per person) at this Clarendon outpost, including Valentine’s Day specials such as smoked trout tip, stuffed chicken schnitzel and a four-chocolate cake. While dining, you may be tempted to sample one of six new cocktails ($12-$20) created by BABA, Ambar’s below-ground sibling. The Valentino blends rye, cognac, vermouth, bitters and Benedictine, topped with rosemary. And for an at-home soiree, order the seven-course package ($89.99 per couple), which includes one bottle of wine. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Get your Valentine’s Day started early with a specialty doughnut (or heck, a dozen minis for $30) from Astro. The red velvet raspberry variety comes with raspberry glaze, red velvet cake crumbles and sprinkles. And because chocolate chip cookie dough goes with any holiday—especially when a scoop of the stuff appears at the center of a doughnut—that chocolate-chip covered treat is also a must-order. // 7511 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Cheesetique
Celebrate both your love for your cutie and for cheese at this Shirlington eatery on Valentine’s Day. Their menu for two ($79 per couple dine-in/$69 per couple take-out) includes baked brie with cranberry compote and crostini, coq au vin or black truffle gnocchi, and heart-shaped flourless chocolate cake. Add three wine pairings for $25. // 4024 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Copperwood Tavern
Settle in for a three-course dinner with dessert ($69) loaded with seafood options. If coastal food is your thing, start with champagne oysters, then move to stone crab cocktail and an 8-ounce lobster tail. Close out the meal with one of three desserts, including limoncello mascarpone cake. A cabernet sauvignon pairing is available for $16 per glass. // 4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Ice Cream Jubilee
Feeling crafty? Pick up a cookie decorating kit ($14) from this Ballston sugar silo. The package includes dough for 10-12 sugar cookies, meltable red and white chocolate, a heart-shaped cookie cutter and sprinkles. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Neighborhood Provisions
Find everything you need for a divine night at home, from a custom bottled cocktail (complete with a school-styled Valentine card) to a three-course meal to a chocolate fondue kit. // Locations vary
Pines of Florence
Say hello to “Veal-entine’s Day” at this recently reopened Italian institution. Choose from several Valentine’s Day specials (from $65 to $100 per couple), with entree options that include Branzino, lamb chops and, of course, a heart-shaped veal parmigiana. // 2109 N. Pollard St., Arlington (Cherrydale)
Sfoglina
If cocktails + pasta + cake sounds like the ideal Valentine’s Day dinner to you, head to Sfoglina for their holiday menu. Start with a craft cocktail—either Romeo (gin, aperol, rose water, sweet vermouth) or Juliette (1920 select aperitivo, rose wine reduction, prosecco) for $18. Then dig into red beet tagliatelle for two ($56), with an optional addition of black truffle ($78), and polish that off with the tortino di miele e pinoli (honey, pine nuts, dark chocolate ganache). // 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Whino
Get a sneak peek of Whino’s Valentine’s-themed art show (which officially opens Feb. 17) and dive into a five-course dinner ($75 per person) for your date night. The meal starts with hamachi crudo, moves to a red and pink salad with forbidden rice, prawns with gremolata and lemon herb crust, surf and turf (Kobe beef loin and poached lobster tail) and chocolate-covered strawberries accompanied by red velvet cake. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)