Brightest Young Things

Valentine’s Day: the holiday everyone loves to hate, or loves to love, or loves to profit from, depending on your perspective. It's the day that people love to complain about, whether you are single, taken, or somewhere in between. Well, I'm tired of it. To the haters I say: who cares? WHO CARES. I say, just make what you want of it. I know haters wanna hate, but I’m giving V-Day bashing a rest this time. This year, faithful BYT readers, you will not get your heart-shaped panties in a bunch during Valentine’s Day weekend because there is an event in DC for all types. Even you, YES you!

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If V-Day is just turning the spotlight on your lack of prospects this time around,

• then protest by heading to Againn ($39 for 3 courses inspired by the British Isles) for an Anti-Valentine’s Day celebration for those “not in love with the day of love.”
• Or you can round up a couple of friends and make your way to Zentan and partake in their $45 pre-fixe 3-course menu. Their large communal tables and 18-seat bar lend to meeting others who also may be single and ready to mingle. WOO YEAH I MET MY HUSBAND AT THIS ONE BAR ON VALENTINE'S DAY.

If Valentine’s Day seems like a chore for you and your sweetheart (much like your anniversary, his day of birth, all New Years’ Eve celebrations, Hanukkah at your house, Christmas at her house, or Labor Day and Veteran’s Day with the in-laws), then keep it casual and head to:

• PX in Alexandria for bar chef Todd Thrasher's 5-course Cocktail Tasting Menu for Two, starting with his "First Date" creation and ending with "The Afterglow."
• Or for another option, for the month of February, Birch & Barley has a 3-course dessert and beer pairing special for $24 ($14 for dessert + $10 for beer), prepared jointly by Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac and Beer Director Greg Engert.
• Finally, you can participate in M Bar’s “Make Whoopie (Pie)” class that is taking place with Executive Chef John Therres this Saturday at 5 pm for $15 (call 202.775.0800 for more details). He will guide participants through the process of making heart-shaped whoopie pies and through the process of making whoopie. Just kidding about that last part. Totally gross.

Lastly, if you and your sweetheart are looking for a night that won't break the bank (comparatively, at least), and it turns out you've misplaced your coupon for Valentine's at Medieval Times, there are still lots of options for you.

• Roof Terrace and its views atop the Kennedy Center is offering a four-course menu titled "From Russia with Love" for $50 a person, in honor of the Kennedy Center's focus on Russian artists. You can also enjoy a four-course Italian meal with a bottle of Prosecco for $100 a couple at Potenza or go to Masa 14 for a pre-fixe four-course menu for $50 a person. Not quite Medieval Times with a coupon... but pretty damn close.
• Alternatively, the all free, all weekend long Chocolate Festival at Museum of American Indian may be a perfect, low stress, high calorie, extremely high satisfaction solution

Let us know if you have any other ideas. We'll listen.

p.s. Don’t forget to check out the calendar for food-related events.  First off, be sure to follow @BYTEatDrink for running updates on food and beverage news in the area.  Send tips, suggestions and listings to eatdrink@brightestyoungthings.com