From fancy date nights to couple’s painting, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Arlington and Falls Church.
Whether you plan to celebrate solo or over a candlelit dinner for two, here are some ways to enjoy the day of love with local food, drink and events.
Food and drink
Layli Mediterranean
Special for Valentine’s Day, Layli is offering a five-course prix fixe menu at $75 per person. The dinner includes hot and cold mezze plates to share with your sweetheart, in addition to individual entrees, like a New York strip steak or herb-crusted Atlantic cod. Afterward, share your choice of mixed baklava or assorted chocolate truffles for dessert. Pair the deal with one of Layli’s fruity, floral cocktails, a pistachio espresso martini or a glass of wine.
3033 Wilson Blvd
Ellie Bird
Acclaimed “contemporary casual” restaurant and foodie favorite Ellie Bird is “calling all love birds” to enjoy prix fixe dining during Valentine’s Day weekend, and reservations are still available for Saturday, Feb. 15. Share a curated, four-course meal for $105 per guest. Each course will include three options to choose from, and beverages or champagne packages can be purchased in advance.
125 Founders Avenue, Falls Church
The Portofino Restaurant
The ARLnow Readers’ Choice winner for the best fancy restaurant offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with comforting Italian cooking, bottles of wine and housemade pastas from chef Richard Micheli. End the night with cannolis or tiramisu.
526 S. 23rd Street
Surreal
Limited reservations are available for Valentine’s Day dinner at Surreal, with a la carte dining options, holiday specials and handcrafted cocktails. A live DJ will set a “perfectly lively, but romantic mood.” Celebrating solo this year? The restaurant is also offering a special “Cupid & Friends” mingling dinner for singles. Enjoy a three-course, $85 prix fixe menu at a communal table in Surreal’s private dining room. Spots are limited.
2117 Crystal Drive
Bakeshop
Celebrate love with sweet treats! Heart-shaped cookie cakes, flourless chocolate heart cakes and other indulgent, shareable desserts are available for preorder from Bakeshop’s special Valentine’s Day menu. Personalize cakes with icing ribbons in vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, or add a special frosted message for your partner.
1025 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington and 100 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church
Events
Couple’s Painting Date
When: Multiple sessions
Paint lovebirds and romantic sunsets with a partner or a friend at Muse Paintbar in the Ballston Quarter. Staff will teach how to paint several romantic landscapes and images during Valentine’s Day weekend. Attend a couple’s art session with a date to make a collaborative, romantic painting across two canvasses — or a custom, Picasso-style portrait of your partner. Prices range from around $35 to $55 per person.
4238 Wilson Blvd
Blind Date With a Book
When: Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Romance readers are invited to join independent bookstore One More Page Book’s “Blind Date with a Book” event. For $20, enjoy a night of sparkling wine, chocolate samples, mingling and a selection of mysteriously wrapped advance reader copies of romance novels to choose from. Choose wisely!
2200 N. Westmoreland Street
Galentine’s Party at Botanologica
When: Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
For a Galentine’s Day party with plants, pop-up artisan shops and chocolates, visit Botanologica in Falls Church. The annual Galentine’s party includes a pop-up charm jewelry bar and on-site nail artist, to create matching looks with your friends.
817 W. Broad Street, Falls Church
V-Day Goat Bingo
When: Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
Invite your friends to a game of “BINGOAT” alongside the goats from Walnut Creek Farm in Salem. The night includes prizes and snacks, and Walnut Creek’s owner will be on-site to answer any goat-related questions. Bingo begins at 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day in the fellowship hall of Faith Lutheran Church. Admission is $40.
3313 Arlington Blvd
“The Princess Bride” at Arlington Drafthouse
When: Friday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Want something a little more casual to do on Valentine’s Day? Take your friends or partner to see live comedy and “The Princess Bride,” a.k.a. “the #1 comedy of all time,” according to the Arlington Drafthouse. Two Valentine’s Day showings of the classic movie are scheduled on Friday for attendees ages 21 and up.
2903 Columbia Pike
More events
- Create Valentine’s Day Cards and Boxes from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Arlington Mill Community Center. 909 S. Dinwiddie Street
- Valentine Flower Potluck & Workshop from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. 3550 Wilson Blvd
- Won’t You Be My Owlentine? from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at Potomac Overlook Regional Park. 2845 Marcey Road
- Valentine’s Adult Skate Night from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. 3501 2nd Street S.
