Valentine’s Day-Ready Restaurants in D.C.

With its dim lighting, handsome wood, and overall rustic-chic atmosphere, this acclaimed Logan Circle restaurant exudes romance. Slide into one of the plush tufted banquettes and order from the four-course menu, with optional beer pairings (this is Birch & Barley, after all).

Price: $78, with optional $30 beer pairing.

Known for dishing comfort food with flair, The Dish & Dram is kicking things up a notch this V-Day (venison osso buco with chestnut purée, anyone?). Choose from the decadent three-course prix fixe, with amuse bouche and house digestif (or sparkling wine) included.

Menu Highlights: Cheese plate, crab and scallop saffron tagliatelle, red velvet cheesecake.
Price: $65.

A charming wine bar straight out of Italy, Maple is more than ready for the coming romantic season (read: exposed brick walls, private back patio, and superb bottles). Count on dishes that sing of La Dolce Vita, charcuterie boards, and wine to accompany you through it all.

Menu Highlights: Truffled mushroom bruschetta, Rib-eye steak, butternut squash gnocchi.

A tiny eatery off of Vienna’s main strip, Maple Ave keeps things casual yet cozy this Valentine’s Day. Expect the same bold and creative flavors the neighborhood favorite is known for, with specials like blood sausage torte and roasted veal marrow for two.

Menu Highlights: Seafood risotto, duck confit, honey layer cake, beer float.
Price: $69, with optional $25 beverage pairing.

Reclaimed wood, brown leather booths, and prime sidewalk seating set the tone at Cedric Maupillier’s lauded neo-bistro. Come for the stellar French-infused American plates this February 14th, with wood-fired mains and excellent drinks to boot.

Menu Highlights: Chicken liver tartine, orecchiette with rabbit ragu, brownie sundae.

Some would argue that no one does romance better than the Italians, and Officina’s Valentine’s Day offerings should provide no exception. Nicholas Stefanelli’s ode to the Italian way of life means  a superb four-course menu, full of traditional dishes and revisited classics.

Price: $87.

At Olivia, delight in a Valentine’s Day menu the likes of which you’ve never encountered before. This sophisticated Penn Quarter eatery takes inspiration from across the Mediterranean, from Spain to Morocco. Brownie points for originality guaranteed.

Menu Highlights: Galacian-style octopus carpaccio, wagyu beef cheek with green harissa and foie gras, pistachio soufflé.
Price: $75.