Note to Self: Make Reservations for VDay

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, February 7th, 2011

Valentine’s Day is exactly one week away- don’t forget to make dinner plans this weekend! Restaurants and cooking classes are booking up quickly, so be sure to call for reservations. Whether you are celebrating by yourself or with friends and family or with a date, there are many events to commemorate the day of love (or single awareness). Here are some ideas:

Cooking Classes for the Clueless

Feb 12
Cookology Date Night Cooking Class
They say that couples that cook together, stay together. Enjoy a date night cooking class by starting off with champagne and an appetizer reception prepared by Cookology chefs. After, you and your date will prepare an entrée, side and dessert; brie and mushrooms baked in phyllo with cabernet cream, beef tenderloin medallions with caramelized shallot sauce and tomato butter, roasted rosemary and garlic potatoes and chocolate chai and cherry mousse. 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling; 703-433-1909; 7-10 p.m.; $99pp.

Feb 12
Screwtop Wine Bar
Kick off Valentine’s Day weekend with a class to learn how to pair chocolate and wine. 1025 Fillmore St., Arlington; 703-888-8805; 3:30-5p.m.; $39.99.

Feb 13
Cookology L’eau a la Bouche Dinner
Cookology chefs will teach you how to cook a special three-course Valentine’s Day dinner with champagne. Menu includes roasted brie and artichoke puff pastry tartlets, braised herb crusted chicken with tomato rouille, and strawberry studded moelleux au chocolat. 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Sterling; 703-433-1909; 6-9p.m.; $85pp.

Leave Dinner to the Chefs

Feb 11-14
Boxwoods
Have a romantic feast with a specially prepared pre-fixed dinner. Choose from butternut squash puree or petite spinach salad with gorgonzola crumbles, caramelized pecans and asian pears dressed with wild berry vinaigrette followed by seared Maryland rockfish with melted leeks and roasted garlic chili oil or pepper crusted beef tenderloin au poivre with celery root puree and mushrooms finished with a foie gras scented jus. End with a roasted Bartlett pear tartlet with cinnamon-ginger ice cream with a complimentary champagne cocktail for toasting. 4352 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax; 703-865-4628; $55pp.

Feb 14
Tuscarora Mill
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a four course pre-fixed menu prepared by Chef Patrick. Some items on the menu include prosciutto wrapped pear, prawns and grits, lobster, slow roasted veal prime rib and lamb. 203 Harrison Street, Leesburg; 703-478-1141; $55-66 pp depending on which entrée of choice.

Feb 12-14
Michel Richard Dinner
Enjoy dinner in a relaxed atmosphere with chic sophistication at the newly opened restaurant in McLean. The renowned Chef Michel offers a special Valentine’s Day menu that features oysters, lobster, filet mignon, and chocolate mousse in addition to the regular a la carte menu. 1700 Tysons Boulevard, McLean; 703-744-3999; $95 pp; 5:30-10:30p.m.

Tantalizing Tastings

Feb 12-14
Frenchman’s Cellar
French winemake Charles Gendrot from Williams Corner will be sampling five wines chosen for their luscious and romantic natures. There will be wines from France, Italy and New Zealand. 129 East David Street, Culpeper; 540-825-8025; 12-4p. free.

Feb 12-13
Gadino Cellars
Sample wine and devour pasta dinner by the fireplace against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains with La Famiglia Gadino of Gadino Cellars. 92 Schoolhouse Road, Washington; 540-987-9292; 11:30a.m.-6p.m on Saturday, 11:30a.m.-5p.m. on Sunday; Fee for Food.

Wild Side in You

Feb 12
Green Comfort Botanica Erotica Love Feast
Tantalize your senses by exploring aphrodisiac plants used by indigenous people all over the world. Join Herbalist Teresa Boardwine for a Botanica Erotica Love Feast that includes dinners with cordials and elixirs in the yurt. 540-937-4283; 6-9p.m. $50 pp, $75 for two.

Feb 13
So Addictive Lounge Brunch
Celebrate Valentine’s Day a little differently this year by watching an entertaining drag show while eating buffet-style. Bring your date or come with friends for this fun afternoon. 733 Elden Street, Herndon; 703-481-0010; 12-2p.m.

Click here for more events!

-Rebecca Kim

Tags: Gut Check, ideas, Northern Virginia Magazine, Note to self, Rebecca Kim, Reservations, Valentine's Day