Monday, February 8
Diamonds are forever, but a good meal goes a long way, too. Men can learn to cook a dinner that will melt a loved one’s heart with Open Kitchen’s (7115 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church) class “Cooking the Perfect Valentine Dinner for Your Special Someone.” While the menu for the hands-on class is being kept under wraps, we’re told it covers the basics of food preparation and serving. The class, $75 per person, runs from 7 to 11. For more information and reservations, call 703-334-1504.
Tuesday, February 9
Learn to shuck and prepare oysters at Zola Wine + Kitchen’s (505 Ninth St., NW) “Local Oysters” cooking class. Participants will see how to make oyster pie, fried oysters, and oysters Rockefeller. The class, $50 per person, starts at 6:30. For reservations and information, call 202-654-0999 or click here.
[THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER.]
Wednesday, February 10
Ladies, grab your girlfriends and head to Co Co. Sala for an Anti-V-Day Sweet Spa. In addition to nibbling on strawberries dipped in chocolate and cupcakes, guests will be pampered with services—such as anti-aging hand treatments and anti-dehydration eye treatments—from Red Door Spa. All attendees will receive a complimentary gift. The event, $85 per person, runs from 6 to 8:30. Call 202-506-2634 to buy tickets.
Can’t get your toddlers to eat their broccoli? Consider heading to Citronelle as author Nancy Tringali Piho discusses her new book, My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus. With help from chefs and medical researchers, Piho offers a clever approach to teaching children how to appreciate “adult” foods. A dinner featuring pearl-pasta risotto, a lobster burger, braised short ribs, and chef Michel Richard’s chocolate bar will be served. The event, $95 for adults and $37 for children under 12, begins at 6:30. Books are available for $15. Call 202-635-2150 for reservations.
Thursday, February 11
Raise a glass to celebrate the 11th annual Washington, D.C. International Wine & Food Festival, which kicks off today and runs through Sunday. Held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW), the festival showcases local and international wines with food pairings. The opening reception, tonight from 6 to 8 at PS 7’s, features wines with hors d’oeuvres created by chef/owner Peter Smith and Equinox’s Todd Gray. Tickets are $50. For more information on the reception and other festival events, click here.
Friday, February 12
Mardi Gras is on the menu through February 16 at Central Michel Richard. Look for New Orleans food specials and hurricane cocktails at the bar. On Fat Tuesday (February 16), you’ll find a jazz band and leave strewn with Mardi Gras beads. Call 202-626-0015 for reservations.
Tonight from 9 to 11, the International Wine & Food Festival presents mixologists Gina Chersevani (PS 7’s), Simo Ahmadi (Equinox), Dennis Burns (Aria), and Rico Wisner (Poste) for cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres at Poste. Tickets are $40, which includes four cocktail tokens. For more information and other festival events, click here.
Saturday, February 13
Today’s International Wine & Food Festival event: the Grand Tasting, which runs from 2 to 6. Chefs José Andrés and Barton Seaver, among others, will give demonstrations from 2 to 5. Grand Tasting tickets are $85 for today only, $75 for tomorrow only, and $140 for a two-day pass. For more information, chef-demonstration schedules, and other festival events, click here.
Bring your sweet tooth to the Cake Bar (2108 R St., NW) for its third-annual You Are Loved party, which features an assortment of cakes, chocolate fudge, and dessert wines to sample. The event, $20 per person ($5 goes to support communities in West Africa), runs from 7 to 10. For more information and to make reservations, call 202-657-5946 or 202-338-1433.
Sunday, February 14
With so many restaurants rolling out special Valentine’s Day specials, hopeless romantics and food lovers are in for a treat. Check out our guide to romantic restaurants for every taste here and our menu round-up here.
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