DOWNTOWN: Indulgent Delights Entice Lovebirds to Flock to The Hay-Adams for Valentine’s

This Valentine’s Day weekend romance takes center stage at The Hay-Adams, located at 800 16^th Street, NW in Washington, DC, with an array of offerings sweethearts can savor. Guests can experience the legendary elegance of the hotel, by choosing from two tempting packages for a romantic retreat, and enjoy decadent dining delights. The Lafayette, The Hay-Adams’ elegant restaurant, directly overlooking Lafayette Square, is featuring love-themed dinner and brunch menus for the holiday.

Lovebirds selecting The Indulgent Romantic package will find flowers and champagne awaiting them in a luxuriously appointed guestroom created by the renowned designer Tom Pheasant.  At dusk, guests will be whisked away on a tour of the Washington’s iconic monuments after dark, viewing these impressive landmarks from a comfortable, private sedan.   Upon returning, patrons will find a sweet treat bedside, Pastry Chef Josh Short’s Chocolate Hazelnut Linzer Cookies. The following morning, lovers can enjoy a signature breakfast at their leisure, served in the privacy of their room. This package pricing starts from $599 for a superior room, per night, (excluding tax) and is available February 13th and 14^th.

If one doesn’t want to leave the comforts of the historic Hay-Adams, then The Leading Celebrations Package is the perfect option for a Valentine’s Day surprise as it includes a luxuriously appointed room, champagne, flowers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and a full American breakfast for two served in the privacy of the guestroom the following morning. This package pricing begins at $519 for a superior room, per night (excluding tax) and is available during the entire month of February as well.

Dining temptations to tickle the romantic senses at The Lafayette include a three-course prix fixe dinner menu on Saturday, February 13^th and Sunday, February 14^th, priced at $80 per person (tax and gratuity not included), available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Couples can anticipate receiving attentive service while enjoying contemporary American cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Peter Schaffrath and Senior Executive Sous Chef Jaime Montes de Oca. First course options include Roasted Sunchoke Soup with black truffle; Pennsylvania Mushroom Vol-Au-Vent; Tuscan Kale Salad with anchovy dressing and focaccia croutons, and Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio with arugula pesto and quail egg.  Second course options are just as enticing and include Diver Scallops with confit tomatoes, artichokes, Brussels sprouts and cider gastrique; Niman Ranch Beef Filet with smoked Yukon gold potato purée, winter vegetables and madeira sauce; Chatham Cod with little neck clams, baby bok choy, Thumbelina carrots and an ocean herb broth, and the Cedar Plank Honey Roasted Salmon for Two with vanilla sweet potato mousse, glazed baby turnips and caper butter sauce.  For dessert, guests can enjoy a tempting selection of sweet treats created by Pastry Chef Josh Short.  Highlights include the Baked Manjari “Grand Cru” Chocolate Mousse with toasted almond ice cream, and Passion Fruit White Chocolate Cheesecake with mango sorbet.

On Sunday, February 14^th, The Lafayette’s Love Brunch provides guests the opportunity to feast on a decadent appetizer buffet. Then one can choose from a variety of starters and salads, as well as seasonal and local specialties like Pan Roasted Snapper, artichokes, chanterelles, boy choy, kaffir lime broth; Poached Eggs Benedict, porchetta or Scottish smoked salmon, hollandaise, asparagus; Cornflake Crusted Focaccia French Toast, warm pear compote and caramel sauce; Steak and Eggs, petite filet mignon, farm fresh eggs, spinach, country fries; and Maryland Crab Cakes, tri-colored Lyonnaise potatoes, seasonal vegetables and grain mustard sauce complemented by either a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, a classic Bloody Mary or a Strawberry Orange Mimosa.

Pastry Chef Josh Short ensures a sweet and memorable finish to the meal with a selection of desserts including Strawberry Truffle Kisses, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Cupid’s Raspberry Clouds, Chocolate Hazelnut Linzer Cookies, Triple Chocolate Mousse and an array of house-made Truffles and Bonbons, complimented by freshly made coffee or Mighty Leaf Tea. Brunch, priced at $75 per person, and $35 per child aged 12 years and younger, (tax and gratuity not included), is served from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

To ensure a spot for Valentine’s Dinner or the Love Brunch at The Lafayette advance reservations are required.