If the way to the heart is through the stomach, then our area has lots of ways to win over a loved one—platonic or otherwise—this Valentine’s Day. Check out these options for a romantic dinner for two, a luxe movie-and-meal combo or a candy-coated doughnut.
2941
Feb. 13-17
Ask for a table by the window for a scenic view of the lake when making reservations for chef Bertrand Chemel’s three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu ($105 per person). Yellowfin tuna tartare and butter poached lobster with squid ink linguine are appetizer options, while the entrees include ribeye and duck breast. Among the three dessert choices is the Exotic, made with pink peppercorn, mango crèmeux, mango compote and sorbet. // 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church
Ambar
Feb. 14, 4-11 p.m.
In addition to its always-available unlimited small plates menu, the Balkan-inspired Clarendon restaurant has a Valentine’s Day menu ($94.99) that includes holiday-only dishes such as oxtail potato gnocchi, bacon-wrapped dates with tomato sauce, and zucchini cake with cucumber yogurt. Accompany those with 99-cent drinks such as an Ambar old fashioned, kiwi smash, house sparkling wines, hard apple cider and Yuengling. Note that there is a two-hour time limit for dining. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Aracosia
Feb. 14
The family-run chophouse, a Best of Arlington 2024 Reader Pick, has a special Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two to showcase its Afghan cuisine. For $80 per person, couples can choose one dish from each of three courses. Options include lentil soup or beef tenderloin to start, Aracosia’s signature kabob or a bone-in roasted lamb shank, and baklava or firni (Afghan milk pudding) for dessert. The meal includes a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine. There’s also a special a la carte menu featuring the same dishes plus others, such as Rumi’s Chicken, slow-cooked meat in a sweet and spicy tomato stew ($26.95), and leek and scallion dumplings with minced beef and lentil qorma ($23.95). // 1381 Beverly Road, McLean
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Through Feb. 29
Sweet on someone? Say so with doughnuts. With locations in Falls Church and Shirlington, this chicken and doughnut operation (and beer hall) is baking special flavors just for the month of love. Get them in regular size ($4.25-$4.95 each) or pre-order a box of minis ($35) between Feb. 9-18. The box assortment includes three Vanilla Sprinkle, three Red Berry Cheesecake, two Chocolate Candy Bar, two Creme Brûlée and two Lemon Meringue Pie. Place orders by 2 p.m. to get them the next day. // 7511 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
ChiKo
Feb. 14
Take a four-course, Lunar New Year-inspired meal for two to go. The $75 deal includes mala shrimp cocktail, garlic scallop dumplings, longevity noodles and galbi-jjim (braised beef short ribs), and orange and chocolate pot de crème (a custard) with candied mandarin oranges and whipped cream. Add on local beers, Korean beers and wines for an additional cost ($6-$40). Available for pickup or delivery. // 4040 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
CMX CineBistro
Popcorn is a supporting actor at this theater with seat-side meal service inside Tysons Galleria. The menu includes options such as tempura lobster ($21.99), a tuna poke bowl ($23.99) and Wagyu beef sliders ($19.99). Save room for the Movie Candy Cheesecake ($9.99), boozy milkshakes ($15.99) and cocktails, such as the on-theme Casablanca ($15.99). You can dine in the restaurant without seeing a flick, but for the full experience, reserve oversize reclining leather seats with the date night special ($38 for two adult movie tickets) to see new releases such as Galentine go-to Mean Girls, corpse/teen love story Lisa Frankenstein or the inspirational Bob Marley: One Love. // Tysons Galleria, 1651 International Drive, McLean
Copperwood Tavern
Feb. 14
Start your Valentine’s Day with brunch, including options like chilled or roasted oysters ($18 for six, $34 for 12), pancake bites ($10), omelets ($13-$19), crab Benedict ($22) and entrees such as short rib hash ($22). Accompany your meal with a brunchtime beverage, such as the Beef Jerky Bloody Mary ($12) or an apple cider Bellini ($11). If you’d rather come for dinner, the tavern has a three-course dinner for two ($75 per person) with filet mignon and lobster tail. // 4021 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Ellie Bird
Feb. 14
A Best of Arlington 2024 winner, this Falls Church restaurant has a four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu ($85). Book a spot in the dining room or at the bar or chef’s counter and select from three options per course, including vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free choices. Plus, get holiday beverage packages and roses at an additional cost. // 125 Founder’s Ave., Falls Church
Padaek
Feb. 14
Chef Seng Luangrath is offering a five-course dinner chef’s tasting menu ($89 per person) inspired by her 35-year marriage. She credits her husband’s support for enabling her to open the restaurant last November and the three that preceded it: Thip Khao in D.C., the Falls Church location of Padaek and Hanumanh (now closed). The Southeast Asian dishes on this special menu include goong nahm paa (Argentine red shrimp with chili garlic and lime sauce), pak naam (flash-fried sweet potato leaves with tamarind sauce), gaeng som (chicken consommé, Chilean sea bass, pickled lime, roasted cherry tomatoes and smoked hot pepper), and kanom soat sai (steamed sticky rice cake stuffed with caramelized shredded coconut and coconut cream). Reservations are required. Make them here. // 2391 S. Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Ridge)
Palette 22
Feb. 10-18
Part restaurant, part art studio, this Village at Shirlington eatery that specializes in globally inspired small plates is offering special Valentine’s Day dishes such as vindaloo duck ($17) and rock shrimp and pork siu mai ($13). // 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Quinn’s on the Corner
Feb. 14, 5-10 p.m.
Get cracking on a classic lobster Valentine special at this pub serving European-inspired fare. For $30, diners—consciously coupled or otherwise—get a 2-pound lobster and chocolate-covered strawberries. // 1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Rustico
Feb. 14
This neighborhood pub in Ballston has a three-course dinner for $55 per person that includes a choice of ricotta gnocchi or roasted beet salad to start, followed by grilled New York strip or scallops , and chocolate raspberry cake or key lime cheesecake for dessert. For a tasty pairing, check out the extensive beer menu and cocktail options. A cinnamon espresso martini ($13) or the Fire Flower (tequila, aguardiente, lime and honey, $14) might help spice things up. // 4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Silver Diner
Through Feb. 29
Go on a Valentine’s Day family date night and get a free instant photo with your meal. The diner’s extensive kids’ menu includes breakfast-for-dinner faves like chocolate chip pancakes, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Adults can sip on holiday-themed cocktails (two for $15 or $9.99 for one)—Pomegranate Kiss, Passion Punch and the Chocalatini—and order a flat iron steak or the new giant crab cake platter. // 4400 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 8150 Porter Road, Falls Church; 8101 Fletcher St., McLean
Stellina Pizzeria
Pre-order by 5 p.m. Feb. 11 for pickup on Feb. 12-13
The Shirlington pizzeria is offering special takeout menus celebrating both Valentine’s Day and Anti-Valentine’s Day. The former is a four-course meal for two ($150) and includes asparagus, lobster ravioli, whole dorade (fish) with baked ratatouille and chocolate/vanilla millefoglie (layers of puff pastry). The anti-Valentine’s option, which serves one, includes the same dinner spread, plus a bottle of wine for $90. // 2800 S. Randolph St., Arlington (Shirlington)
Surreal
Enjoy a three-course Valentine’s Day menu that includes hummus, seafood and a Chocolate Piñata for dessert at the new National Landing restaurant. Led by Chef Enrique Limardo, a James Beard Award 2023 semifinalist and the talent behind Michelin-starred Imperfecto in D.C., Surreal is offering a singles dinner ($100/person) at 7 p.m. in the private dining room. For couples, it’s open for lunch (12-2 p.m.) and dinner (4-10 p.m.). // 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Thompson Italian
Feb. 14-18
Try the Valentine’s Day specials at this Falls Church trattoria. Scallop crudo, beet ravioli, veal chop parmesan, and almond cake with raspberry jam and chocolate ganache join the restaurant’s usual a la carte menu for five nights only. Make a reservation or walk in to try for a seat at the bar. The wait is worth it, according to our restaurant critic, who said, “It’s not often that the very first bite of a dish kicks your neurons into rapid fire, grabs your taste buds by the lapels and screams to your brain that something extraordinary is happening.” // 124 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Urbano
Feb. 14, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Take a stroll through the Mosaic District, window shop or catch a flick at the Angelika Film Center before or after a special dinner for two at this Mexican restaurant. For $50, couples get an appetizer of taquitos, guacamole, queso or wings, a main course of fajitas, and flan for dessert. // 2985 District Ave., Fairfax