WASHINGTON DC: Romantic Dining Options for Valentine's Day from Richard Sandoval Restaurants

Couples looking to celebrate Valentine's Day should look no further than Richard Sandoval Restaurants.  From Latin-Asian fusion to Mexican comfort food, lovebirds have no shortage of options throughout the District to enjoy a romantic dining experience, with dinner specials available from Friday, January 12^th through Sunday, January 14^th.   

El Centro D.F., with two locations at 1819 14^th Street, NW, and 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, will celebrate Valentine's Day with a la carte specials in addition to the featured menu on January 12^th and 13^th, as well as a romantic prix fixe menu on Sunday, February 13^th.

 Tequila-Lime Oysters on the half shell with blanco tequila, shallot, cilantro, and serrano pepper; Crunchy Spicy Shrimp with maseca cornmeal crusted shrimp, cabbage-lime slaw, and chipotle aioli; Sweet Corn Empanadas with Oaxaca cheese and sweet chipotle sauce, or Beef Short Rib Gorditas with rajas, Mexican cheese blend, and pickled vegetables. For the entrée course, guests can choose from Beer Battered Lobster Tacos with Mexican slaw, avocado, cilantro rice, and refried beans; Mahi Mahi Veracruzana with goat cheese-stuffed Anaheim peppers and olive-caper-tomato sauce; Pan Roasted Airline Chicken Breast with mole amarillo, winter vegetable, and fingerling potato hash, or New York Strip Steak Asado with slow roasted ancho rubbed beef, pasilla steak jus, chimichurri, and French fries.  For an indulgent finish, guests can enjoy Flourless Chocolate Cake with Negra Modelo white chocolate mousse, chocolate sauce, and passion fruit puree, or Caramel Flan with fresh fruit and toasted almond.  A la carte menu specials range in price from $6 to $29.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  For additional information about El Centro D.F. 14^th Street, please call (202) 328-3131(202) 328-3131 or visit http://www.richardsandoval.com/elcentrodf/. For more information on El Centro D.F. Georgetown,  call (202) 333-4100(202) 333-4100 or visit http://richardsandoval.com/elcentrogtown/.

Priced at $48 per person (tax and gratuity not included), couples can enjoy three courses highlighting El Centro's authentic Mexican comfort food prepared by Regional Executive Chef Graham Bartlett and Chef de Cuisine Lou Temprosa.  Guests will begin their meal with a choice of

 

Located in the bustling Chinatown neighborhood at 781 7^th Street, NW , Zengo will celebrate Valentine's Day weekend with a la carte dinner specials in addition to the seasonal menu, available from Friday, January 12^th through Sunday, January 14^th.

Couples can savor an artful blend of Latin-Asian styles and flavors prepared by Chef De Cuisine Jason Streiff.  Menu highlights include Wagyu Beef Tiradito with pickled fresno, sesame, cilantro, and tequila ponzu; Vegetable Spring Rolls with shitake mushroom, won bok, carrot, bean sprout, and sweet & sour sauce; Tempura Shrimp Roll with avocado, masago, butter lettuce, and a lo macho aioli; Korean Fried Chicken Lettuce Wraps with gochujang, scallion, pickled cucumber, and chayote slaw; Spicy Lobster Curried Noodles with crispy Hong Kong noodles, sugar snap pea, asparagus, egg, and fresno chilies, and Chinese Braised Beef Short Ribs with Oaxaca potato puree, wok tossed mushrooms, and huitlacoche jus.  For a sweet ending to dinner, Zengo will offer guests Chocolate Tres Leches with salted caramel whipped cream and chocolate sauce.  A la carte menu specials range in price from $8 to $29.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  For additional information please call (202) 393-2929, or visit www.richardsandoval.com/zengodc.

Located at 1825 14^th Street, NW, Masa 14 serves colorful Latin-Asian cuisine prepared by newly appointed Executive Chef Ryan Ratino.  Couples can celebrate Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 14^th with a pre-fixe tasting menu priced at $75 per person (tax and gratuity not included). 

 

This night's feast will begin with Baked Crab Roll with flounder, avocado, spicy mayo, and lime; Tuna Sashimi with poached kombu, lemon, and coconut; Spanish Octopus Confit with romesco sauce, curried orange, radish, brown butter, and grapefruit, and Wagyu Carpaccio with beets, horseradish, juniper, sorrel, and egg yolk, followed by an entrée of Porchetta with miso, ume, apricot jam, mustard greens, and king trumpets.  For a decedent finish, couples can share Chocolate Mousse with shortbread, Luxardo cherry, lemon verbena, and pistachio.   Reservations are strongly recommended.  For more information, please call (202) 328-1414 or visit http://www.richardsandoval.com/masa14/.

Toro Toro, located at1300 I Street, NW, will offer a la carte dinner specials, in addition to the regular menu, Friday, January 12^th through Sunday, January 14^th in celebration of Valentine's Day.

Featured menu options prepared by Executive Chef Roberto Hernandez include Tuna Poke Tacos with diced ahi tuna, lime, soy, jalapeno, kimchee slaw, kewpie, and a Malanga taco shell; Braised Short Rib Cachapas with pasilla chile, cotija cheese, and sweet corn pancake; Poached Lobster Tail with soy butter, caramelized banana, seared bok choy, and cashew; Half Roasted Semi Boneless Chicken with toasted coffee dry rub, sweet plantains, and huancaina sauce, as well as Churrasco Grilled Lamb Sirloin for Two, 18 oz. lamb sirloin with achiote citrus, fingerling potato steak fries, and smoked chimichurri aioli.  Valentine's day specials range in price from $16 to $46.  For dessert, couples can enjoy sweet confections such as then La Bomba For Two with cream cheese mousse, passionfruit sorbet, chocolate cookie crumbs, strawberries & cream, dulce de leche ice cream, mixed berries, caramel, and vanilla bean cream anglaise; Deconstructed Key Lime Pie with key lime custard, toasted soft meringue, bananas, vanilla bean ice cream, and blood orange sorbet; Coconut Flan Espuma with tangerine granita, tamarind gelée, and candied pistachios orange dust, and Cortadito Bar with chocolate-coffee mousse, milk chocolate crunch hazelnut cake, and salted caramel. Desserts range in price from $9 to $25.  Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, please call (202) 682-9500(202) 682-9500 or visit http://www.richardsandoval.com/torotorodc/.

 

Over in McLean, Virginia, La Sandia, located at 7852L Tysons Corner Center, will celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic prix fixe menu, which will be available in addition to the regular a la carte menu from Friday, January 12^th through Sunday, January 14^th.

 

Priced at $31.95 per person (tax and gratuity not included), couples can select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the featured menu, which showcases authentic Mexican specialties.  The menu at La Sandia is inspired by acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval’s culinary mantra of 'old ways, new hands.'  At the restaurant he reinterprets traditional dishes with innovative techniques and skillful presentation.  Standout dishes not to be missed include Empanadas de Platano, sweet plantain turnover with queso fresco, black bean, mole poblano, crema fresca and almonds; Braised Beef Flautas, crispy tortilla, braised beef, salsa verde, cotija cheese, black bean purée and crema; Mezcal Brined Pork with roasted pumpkin, mole poblano, pepitas, cojita cheese and salsa criolla, served with Mexican rice and refried black beans; Chicken Divorciadas Enchilada with entomatada sauce, tomatillo sauce and crema fresca, served with Mexican rice and refried black beans.  For dessert, lovebirds can opt for the Churros, cinnamon, sugar, cajeta and Abuelita chocolate sauce; Tres Leches, chiffon cake with house blend of three milks, strawberry, whipped cream and walnut brittle or the Mexican Donut with cajeta, walnut brittle and cinnamon sugar, served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.  For the perfect pairing, couple will also receive a complimentary glass of Champagne to toast this romantic occasion.  For reservations or additional information please call (703) 893-2222(703) 893-2222 or visit http://www.richardsandoval.com/lasandiavirginia/