Let’s get this out of the way: if you haven’t started planning for Valentine’s Day yet, you’re behind the curve. You’re going to wind up paying a lot for flowers (definitely). You’ll pay a 5000% premium on cutesy greeting cards (maybe). But, per usual, DCBeer.com is here to save your delayed self with a post about some Valentine’s Day offerings that will get you out of the doghouse and back into the people house, presumably where your significant other is wondering why you’re out trying to fit into a doghouse.

Three venues that we’ve seen have Valentine’s Day dinners going on (click the links to be taken directly to that restaurant’s section of this post): Smith Commons, Smoke and Barrel, and the Dogfish Head Alehouse Falls Church. If you’re a bar or restaurant owner with Valentine’s Day specials, email us at editor(at)dcbeer(dot)com.

Smith Commons

Three-course prix fixe menu. $60 (inclusive of tax and tip). Comes with a complimentary glass of champagne. Pick one each of:
First Course
• Beef Tartare with Mustard
• Sea Urchin with Uzu and Habañero
• Snapper Crudo with Black Rice and Peppadew
• Smoked Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp Ragout and Celery Paper
• Roasted Beet Salad with Cherry Glen Goat Cheese
• Grilled Asparagus with 63° Egg, Truffle, and Yolk Emulsion

Entrée
• Squid Ink Pasta with Charcoaled Squid and Quail Egg
• Variations of Mushroom with Farro and Upland Cress
• Roasted NY Steak with Cauliflower Risotto and Fig Jus
• Sous Vide Chicken with Potato Purée and Champagne Sauce
• Halibut with Asparagus and Pineapple
• Squab with Foie Gras and French Green Lentils
• King Salmon with Smoked Salmon, Sorrel, and Caviar

Sponsorship

Dessert
• Textures of White Chocolate
• Almond Cake with Avocado
• Banana Panna Cotta with Coconut Air

Smoke and Barrel

The Smoke and Barrel will feature nine Ommegang drafts, each paired with its own dish. Unlike most nights, the Barrel will be accepting reservations for this evening. Dinner reservations start at 5pm. Price is $55 (will check back whether that’s inclusive of tax and gratuity).

FIRST COURSE:

-Shrimp and Crab Bisque
Garnished with chilled shrimp and egg salad
Paired with BPA

-Mixed Green Salad
With apples, golden raisins, pecans, fried goat cheese, and tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette
Paired with Witte

-Fried Calamari
Panko battered strips of calamari steak dusted with crushed red pepper,
served over Thai sweet chili sauce, and garnished with glass basil
Paired with Rare Vos

ENTREES:

-Espresso Rubbed Venison
With Irish cream mushroom gravy and mixed berry coulis served with roasted beets and sautéed spinach
Paired with Three Philosophers

-Bacon and Crab Gritcake
Jumbo gritcake loaded with jumbo lump crab topped with sautéed jumbo
shrimp and spicy Cajun remoulade over mixed greens with haricot verts
sautéed with diced tomatoes and chipotle pesto
Paired with Gnomegang

-Wild Mushroom, Oat, and Smoked Tofu Polpettone
Mixed mushroom, oat, and smoked tofu “meatloaf” served over white bean puree with truffled vegan gravy
Paired with Abbey

DESSERTS:

-Dark Chocolate Pate
With raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries
Paired with Aphrodite

-Mixed Berries and Godiva White Chocolate Zabaglione
Garnished with orange zest
Paired with Adoration

Sponsorship

-Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Bananas
Paired with Seduction

Dogfish Head Alehouse Falls Church

The Falls Church Dogfish Alehouse will offer a five course dinner for $60, inclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 703-534-3342. Dinner reservations are available between 7 and 9pm. Here’s the menu!

Burton Baton Cheese Fondue
Paired with Burton Baton

Lobster and Mango Salad
Paired with Midas Touch

Smoked Prime Rib with scalloped potatoes and pancetta asparagus
Paired with Palo Santo Marron

Raspberry Souffle with chocolate ganache
Paired with Black and Red

Chocolate Sampler
Paired with World Wide Stout