You know what they say about procrastination, don’t you?  It’s the thief of time.  It’s also a surefire way to royaly infuriate your candy-hearts-lovin’ boy/girlfriend who has been very patiently waiting for you to inform him/her about your upcoming Valentine’s Day plans.

Well, you’re in LUCK, aspiring Cupids, because The Q+DD is here to help…

If you’ve waited this long to make a Monday night dinner reservation – you are probably out of luck.  However, you are still welcome to check out the great prix fixe offerings at Fifth Group Restaurants.  Give ‘em a call – you never know who might be breaking up this weekend + canceling their reservation.  (JUST saying…)  Otherwise, I spent V-Day at Apres Diem (last minute reservation) a few years ago + thought it was great!  Could be fun to grab a quick bite there + catch a movie at Midtown Art Cinema? 

Another option is Genki Noodles + Sushi in Buckhead or Sandy Springs for “I Heart Sushi Month.”  Genki will be celebrating “IHSM” for the entire month of February featuring sushi rolls in the shape of a heart for $9.95 + $6 Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails.  I think that is pretty darn adorable!

If Monday doesn’t sound like the ideal day for a celebration, here are some fun V-Day weekend ideas:

Atlanta’s Chocolate Tour
The Atlanta Trolley Tour line is offering Atlanta’s Chocolate Tour just in time for Valentine’s Day.  For $80 per person, you’ll take a three-hour tour of four eating establishments where you will enjoy special chocolate treats.  Tours take place every weekend in February + begin daily at 11:00 a.m.  Information here:  I Love Chocolate!

V-Day in the Garden
Enjoy cocktails, scrumptious desserts, live entertainment + dancing while experiencing Orchid Daze, the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual exhibition of thousands of exotic orchids.  Saturday, February 12 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. $30 per person ($25 for garden members).  Information here:  I Love Flowers!

V-Day @ the HIGH Museum
In celebration of the “Toulouse-Lautrec & Friends” exhibition, the HIGH Museum is hosting a special French Cabaret themed Valentine’s Day event.  French inspired food + drinks available for purchase.  Saturday, February 12 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. $25 per person, $40 per couple + free for members.  Information here:  I Love French Stuff!

Cupid at the Castle
Couples can have the ceremony of their dreams for a fraction of the cost on Saturday, February 12 at Rhodes Hall, Atlanta’s “Castle on Peachtree.”  Weddings, commitment ceremonies + vow renewals are all available.  Rhodes Hall will provide a romantic setting for these brief, inexpensive ceremonies.  Couples can opt to exchange vows under the magnificent granite arches of the front porch overlooking Peachtree.  The cost per ceremony is $225.  Information here: I Love Ceremonies!

Want to send something to that special someone?  Here are a few ideas you can take advantage of – if you act super fast!

Pinkberry Makes Hearts Swirl
For the first time ever this Valentine’s Day, Pinkberry is introducing Swirly Grams.  Atlantans can celebrate their sweetheart with a beautifully wrapped gift of Pinkberry frozen yogurt hand-delivered free of charge to their loved one’s home or office (in designated delivery areas).  Information here:  I Love Yogurt! 

Send a Panty Gram
Send your hunk something much more memorable than a drugstore greeting card – a Panty Gram!  He’ll receive a lacy red thong with a flirty personalized message from “his secret admirer” that directs him to the Panty Gram website.  Once he logs in, he’ll read whatever message you want to leave for him.  Information here:  I Love Underwear!

And, some last minute V-Day gift ideas:

V-Day Personalized Boxers for Him
There’s no question where his heart belongs with Lovin’ It! Personalized Boxer Shorts!  These classic boxer shorts are custom-made for him alone with a bright red heart + personalized with the name of his significant someone across the front.  100% cotton, machine washable + great for lounging or sleepwear.  (Thank you for this one, Lynn @ www.dlreport.com!)  Information here:  I Love Personalization!

Tory Burch + Kate Spade Heart V-Day
Tory Burch + Kate Spade are both offering some super adorable V-Day gifts!  Check them out online or this weekend at Phipps Mall for Tory or Lenox Mall for Kate. 

A heart-shaped cactus would be pretty rad…  (RIP Felix – miss you, old friend.)

This last idea is kinda off the wall, but worth a mention.  Wax, Atlanta’s wax-only studio in Inman Park, is offering heart-shaped bikini waxes for $59.  To each his/her own.  I promise I’m not judging…  Information here: I can’t think of anything appropriate, so just click on this hyperlink.

that darwin - such a lady killer

With all of that said written, I must admit that a thoughtful home-cooked meal, a single red rose, a bottle of wine + a cuddle can go quite a long way on V-Day.  Sometimes that’s all you really need… 

Happy V-Day weekend, everyone!  

xx, L

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Hang out with the Kastorfs.  It’s as simple as that…

the kastorfs

In an attempt to come to terms with my denial about their recent move from Atlanta, Slick + I visited Kurt + Anjali in the District over the weekend.  When we arrived on Friday evening, we had dinner with them and Slick’s twin brother, Smooth, who lives in the city + co. at Zaytinya. 

zaytinya

Zaytinya (http://www.zaytinya.com/) is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown that is star chef Jose Andres’ culinary playground.  Andres is a James Beard Award winner, defeated Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef.  He is often credited for bringing the small plates concept to America.  Needless to say, I was very excited to eat at Zaytinya.  And, it was even better than expected – I strongly recommend this restaurant.

puffed pita bread @ zaytinya - i ate a TON

We had lunch the next day at Ben’s Chili Bowl (http://www.benschilibowl.com).  Ever since Obama dined there a few days before the Inaguration, I’ve been interested in trying the famous chili dogs at this historic restaurant. 

ben's chili bowl

slick @ ben's

We ate absolutely wondrous things – chili dogs, chili cheese fries, etc – and we didn’t think twice about it.  

chili cheese fries @ ben's

Ben’s Chili Bowl was amazing.  I love its U Street location – not too far away from one of my favorite places to eat at in DC – Marvin (Marvin Gaye’s restaurant). 

More on Marvin’s here: http://www.marvindc.com/.

kurt + slick eating ben's chili half-smokes

very full

Kurt + Anj + Slick cooked dinner on Saturday night.  Obviously, I’m big on going out for meals (research for the blog…), but the way these three cooked – I’d be happy eating at home from here on out! 

food network cameras really should have been there...

Everything was homemade from scratch.  So impressive!!

Caprese Salad garnished w/ Doritos (Slick’s touch):

genius?

Vermont Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Straws:

my favorite part of the meal

Peach Gnocchi in a Champagne and Shallot Sauce:

heavenly

(Brace yourself for this one) Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake served with Pistachio Ice Cream, Cranberries stewed in Raspberry Ginger Beer, Orange Ginger Reduction, Maple Syrup and garnished with a Walnut Tuille:

masterpiece

I ate sooooooo much, I couldn’t breathe after the meal.  Seriously.  That didn’t stop me, though, from finishing about three bottles of wine w/ Anj over the course of the night… 

We ventured out to Co Co. Sala (http://www.cocosala.com/) for brunch on Sunday.  A colleague in DC sang praises about this restaurant after she went for dinner one evening – and ever since has been telling me that I absolutely have to go there when I’m in town. 

barely standing...but ready to eat!

The menu is based around chocolate and the food is creative, well-paired and incredibly artful.  Although we were all pretty hungover from the prior evening, we thought brunch was delicious and satisfying.  I loved the restaurant’s plush decor and appreciated how well thought out each knife, fork, dish and glass was – everything was very detailed. 

beautiful entree @ co co. sala

decadent desserts @ co co. sala

We schmoozed with Co Co. Sala’s general manager after our meal and he told us that the restaurant has a pretty lively dessert + drinks scene – very loungy with house music…  Personally, “house music” wasn’t the greatest selling point for me, but I would definitely go back to Co Co. Sala when I am in DC again to try more of their delicious desserts and see what the evening holds there.  We left the restaurant full + with a parting gift from the GM: CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON!

it wasn't around for long...

Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro (http://www.matchboxdc.com/) was the last restaurant I wanted to check off of my list this trip. 

get it? get it?!

Anj + Slick + I grabbed an early dinner there: the 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ gouda + onion straws and one of their signature pizzas cooked in a wood-fired masonry oven.  Although I thought the pizza was fair at best, Matchbox’s onion straws were enough to bring me back to the Chinatown restaurant as soon as I am in DC again.  I honestly don’t have any other way to accurately describe them than they were just, well, AWESOME!

matchbox's 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ onion straws

We ate a lot over the three day trip.  But, don’t worry about our health – we did some walking.  In fact, we spent Saturday @ the Department of Justice:

i found a familiar flag!

slick gave an important speech

We saw Julia Child’s Kitchen @ the National Museum of American History:

amen!

julia's copper pots

And, we viewed the Hope Diamond + the extensive Mineral Exhibit @ the National Museum of Natural History:

the hope diamond in all its glory

want. those.

Although the trip went by in a blur, I’ll be holding onto the memories we made (ate?) for the next few weeks in my waistline.  Oh well, I enjoyed every bite – and it’s not swimsuit season quite yet… 

miss you guys already!!

Thanks, Anj + Kurt for such a super fun + incredibly delicious trip!

xx, L

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