Valentine’s Day

Find the best chocolate in Washington, DC for Valentine’s Day (or anytime)

January 28, 2021

Valentine’s Day for me is just another excuse to shove even more chocolate in my mouth than I did the day before while giving extra tight snuggles to those I love. It also means the quality of the chocolate is definitely better than my typical 3 o’clock pick-me-up from my hidden stash. There are plenty of delicious places to shop this Valentine’s Day for yourself, your love or your Bambinos that don’t include the heart shaped milk chocolate box from the drug store. These are worth the trip, guaranteed while supporting local businesses.

Artisan Confections: Arlington, VA
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste. These are my absolute favorite and must-have each Valentine’s Day!!!

Fleurir Chocolates: Alexandria, VA
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches.

June B. Sweet: Chevy Chase, DC
They have a selection of Brigadeiro flavors, mini cakes and Brazilian Mousse available every day at Write for You.

The Chocolate House: DuPont Circle, DC
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 300 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world.

Harper Macaw: Georgetown, DC
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation.

SPAGnVOLA:Gaithersburg, MD
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA. Having been raised in her ancestral hacienda in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic. With her passion in land cultivation and agriculture, she began to focus her interest in improving the quality of their crops. They offer gift boxes, hot chocolate, caramels and more.

Café Chocolat: H St NW
The hot chocolate has been featured in Washington City Paper as a “must-have”. They specialize in small bean-to-bar chocolates from around the world and the US. The latest feature is the only chocolate-maker from Haiti, Askanya Chocolates.

Chocolate Chocolate: Downtown, DC
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, in 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.

Godiva: Various locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order. You can become a Rewards member for free and receive a free truffle each month.

Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses, the section of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.

Related post:
Ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Parents Night Out on Valentine’s Day

February 5, 2020

Have a night with your person! Bring your kiddos ages 5 and up to Badlands for a night of fun for them, and a night of romance (or blissful nothingness) for you. Bring them by between 4:00pm and 5:00pm and pickup between 8:00pm and 9:00pm for a four hour window that works best for you. Badlands will be ready for your little cupids and will have special programming and a pizza party to make it a fun and festive night! Make sure and reserve your spot now.

Friday Nite Rox at Earth Treks on February 14th gives kids ages 6-12 a fun night of climbing adventure- 2.5 hours that is from 6:30pm-9:00pm and parents enjoy a night out on the town- what could be more perfect! Activities include vertical games, age appropriate basic skills instruction, and tons of climbing, all under the supervision of our qualified instructors. No experience is necessary.

Every month parents can drop kids off at BOLT and have an evening to themselves, secure in the knowledge that their children are having fun, getting exercise, and making friends in a safe place. This month it will take place on February 14th for kids 5 and up. They will have a blast with open gym play time, pizza dinner (must order pizza separately), popcorn and watching an appropriate movie in the gym. Pickup is promptly at 9:00pm.

Parents’ night out is at My Gym Bethesda on February 14th for a Valentine’s Day Dance Party! Drop your kids off for three hours of nonstop action from 6:00pm-9:00pm. They will enjoy fitness games, active play, pizza and fun! Bambinos ages 3-10 are welcomed.

What about a romantic dinner with your Valentine while your kid is having an active and awesome time? Busy Bees Chevy Chase is the place to send your Bambino on February 14th from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Your little one will be active and walk away feeling funtastic after moving, spinning, running and jumping. Consider bringing them in their PJs, and they’ll be ready for bed when you come and get them!

What about a romantic dinner with your Valentine while your kid is having an active and awesome time? Head to Busy Bees Falls Church on February 14th from 6:00pm-9:00pm and drop the Bambinos off! Your little one will be active and walk away feeling funtastic after moving, spinning, running and jumping. Consider bringing them in their PJs, and they’ll be ready for bed when you come and get them!

Drop-off your little ones at Elemeno to enjoy happy hour or a date night on your own! This drop-off service is available from 6:00pm-8:00pm on February 14 and is for children 18mo to 5 years old. They will have activities and will show a movie for those kiddos who prefer to settle down for a quiet time.

MoBu Kids is pleased to offer parents’ night out for potty trained children ages 3-12 years old. Let your children come play February 14th from 6:00pm-9:00pm for a special Valentine’s Day party! The evening with your kids includes dinner, free play in the custom play studio, a movie, craft, and tons of fun!

Create Valentine’s Day cards for pediatric patients with Eliana’s Light

January 12, 2020

Join Beltway Bambinos and members of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia communities in the 5th Annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids and Cookies for Caregivers initiative that Eliana’s Light organizes.

Eliana’s Light is a local non-profit organization that supports families with children who have complex medical conditions by focusing on their whole health and well-being. They connect directly with families through customized gift bags, learning events, and online communications; advocate for and raise awareness on whole health, integrative, and integrated approaches to care; and exchange information and resources with caregivers, practitioners, and researchers. They help children and their caregivers feel better while they contribute to a whole health and family-centered approach to pediatrics. A big part of their work involves engaging community members in service projects that support these local families. Collaboratively, community members throughout our region come together to show they care.

WHAT: The Annual Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids & Cookies for Caregivers involves volunteers (of all ages) who make cards for children that will be in the hospital over Valentine’s Day. The initiative also includes making or sending in cookies for the caregivers who support these children. We want the recipients of both to know that members of their community are thinking of them and sending them best wishes. The cards are only for the kids, and should include uplifting messages. The cookies are only for the caregivers (due to the children’s specific dietary needs) and are from healthy-ish nut-free recipes. Some participating groups are only making cards, and some are only making cookies; don’t feel obligated to do both.

WHO: Eliana’s Light will pick up the cards and/or cookies from participating groups, and deliver them to staff at Children’s National Hospital, Inova Children’s Hospital, HSC’s Pediatric Center, the Children’s Inn at NIH, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. The staff members then disseminate the cards to patients and the cookies to their caregivers (i.e., parents and staff members).

HOW: Here are a few ways you can participate:

Organize a group of friends for a Valentine’s Day card and/or cookie making party at your house.
Ask your child’s teacher if their class would be interested in making Valentine’s Day cards to support kids and caregivers who will be at these pediatric medical centers in our region. Teachers often discuss topics such as empathy, volunteering, and kindness with their participating students.
Donate any supplies you may have for making cards. We welcome red, white, and pink construction paper; glue sticks; stickers; and kid scissors. No glitter please.
Make a financial donation to help Eliana’s Light cover the cost of providing some card-making supplies to participating non-profit organizations

-If your group will be making cards, the following is some guidance for your consideration:
Hospital staff have cleared the following messages for inclusion in the Valentine’s Day cards: “You are loved”; “You are surrounded by love”; “I believe in you”; “You are strong and brave”; “I wish you the very best”; “You rock”; “I am thinking of you and sending you love”; “You inspire me”; “You are awesome”; “I hope you have a great day today”; “Be brave”; and “Always remember how awesome you are”. We welcome any way participating kids would like to sign their cards. For example, they can be signed, “First name, grade, school name”, or “X-grader, school name, city name”, or “X-grader, city name”. We’d love some kind of signature to personalize the cards.

-If your group will be making cookies, we’re especially looking for nut-free and low-sugar recipes that will give a tasty boost to caregivers.

WHEN: If you’re interested in participating or supporting this initiative, please email your interest to both myself and Whitney and we will coordinate directly with you. We will need to collect all items by the end of the day on Sunday, Feb. 9th.

Thank you in advance. I am overwhelmed with happiness each year by how many Beltway Bambinos readers participate and share this post. It means the world to me to be helping with such a special project for so many.

Guide to Valentine’s Day Chocolate!

February 1, 2018

Valentine’s Day for me is just another excuse to shove even more chocolate in my mouth than I did the day before. It also means the quality is probably better than my typical 3:00pm pick-me-up from the hidden Halloween stash that my child doesn’t know exists. There are plenty of delicious places for you to shop this Valentine’s Day for yourself, your love or your Bambinos that don’t include the heart shaped milk chocolate box from CVS. These are worth the trip, guaranteed.

(Photo: The Chocolate House)

Fleurir Chocolates: 724 Jefferson Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches.

Artisan Confections: 1025 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, Va. 22201 and 2910 District Avenue, Fairfax, Va. 22031
Jason Andelman’s recipes creatively blend high-quality ingredients that subtly enhance the star of the show – Valrhona chocolate – considered the best in the industry. The result is a collection of smooth and creamy confections that look as stunning as they taste. These are my absolute favorite and must-have each Valentine’s Day!!!

The Chocolate House: 1904 18 St NW, Washington, DC 20009
The Chocolate House is a tasting room and boutique store where you can experience over 300 unique chocolate bars and confections from artisan chocolate makers and chocolatiers from all corners of the world.

Harper Macaw: 3160 Bladensburg Rd NE Washington, DC 20018
Harper Macaw is a fine chocolate venture founded by a Brazilian chocolate maker and a U.S. Marine Veteran with an ambitious yet tangible objective: To turn chocolate into a force for tropical reforestation. They also give factory tours on select days.

SpagNVola: 360 Main St #100, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Crisoire Reid is an award winning Chocolatier and co-owner of SPAGnVOLA. Having been raised in her ancestral hacienda in Hato Del Rey, Dominican Republic. With her passion in land cultivation and agriculture, she began to focus her interest in improving the quality of their crops. They offer gift boxes, hot chocolate, caramels and more.

Café Chocolat: 1423 H St NW, Washington, DC 20005
A chocolate boutique with a coffee bar in it. The hot chocolate has been featured in Washington City Paper as a “must-have”. They specialize in small bean-to-bar chocolates from around the world and the US. The latest feature is the only chocolate-maker from Haiti, Askanya Chocolates.

Co Co. Sala: 929 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Washington DC’s luxurious chocolate boutique lounge and restaurant, crafting signature cocktails and serving delicious savory and sweet meals.

Chocolate Chocolate: 1130 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, in 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.

Periwinkle: 3815 Livingston St NW, Washington DC 20015
In the back of this fabulous boutique shop you’ll find a display case full of fine local chocolates. Many are from Chocolaterie Wanders and Zoe’s.

Godiva: 1143 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 and many other locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order. You can become a Rewards member for free and receive a free truffle each month.

Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses, the section of chocolates and confections is very impressive too.

Weekday Adventures February 13-17

February 12, 2017

In case you missed this weekends post, “Like and Comment” on Beltway Bambino’s Facebook page to enter to win a $50 gift card for your Valentine’s Day shopping from Whole Foods Market! Read all about how I made a low-maintenance, delicious Valentine’s Day dinner from Whole Foods Market. And while you’re there make sure you like our Facebook page for articles, event postings and more.

DC Library has so many wonderful family-friendly events from story times, lego build afternoons to movie nights.

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Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(234 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012)
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds. Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.

10:00am-11:30am: Toddler Art Time at New Community ArtSpace
(614 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Valentine making and story time! We will be closed next week. $5/child + supply donations are welcome

10:30am: Storytime at The National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002)
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children (ages 2-3) to discover the world around them together at our monthly StoryTime. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs and self-guided gallery exploration. Explore themes, such as shapes, colors, and sizes, in a relaxed setting at your neighborhood museum. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program! Free- no reservation required.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

Tuesday-

10:00am AND 11:30am: Shadow Puppets at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
This shadow puppet stage show will feature a variety of characters and menagerie of traditional and original songs. It explores themes that center around the seasons, the environment, as well as learning components of music.

11:00am AND 1:00pm: Museum ABC’s at The National Museum of American History for Museum
(12th St & Constitution Ave NW 1st Floor, West Wing)
ABCs, a new program for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult companions! Museum ABCs introduces early learners to the museum collection through a new letter, new object, and new interactive experience every month.

lego2_1 4:00pm: Lego Playtime and Engineering Challenge at Georgetown Library
(3260 R St. NW Washington, D.C. 20007)
Do you like to build with Legos and solve puzzles? Join us to work through engineering challenges like, “who can build a paper airplane that carries the most cargo over 10 feet,” or just come to build with Legos and r elax after school. We’ll have a different short challenge each week and Legos all the time. This program is recommended for ages 4 and up.

4:00pm-6:00pm: Two for One at Capitol Riverfront
(200 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Get two ice rink admissions for the price of one at Capitol Riverfront ! Skate rental sold separately.

Wednesday-

10:30am: Mr. Skip at The Miracle Theatre on Barracks Row with Boogie Babes
(535 8th Street SE)
The Boogie Babes program brings interactive musical performances for young children and their caregivers each week to area neighborhoods. The events, typically 45 minutes in length, provide a wonderful way to expose children to different musical instruments and styles while also raising funds for and awareness of DC Diaper Bank’s work and mission. $6 per child (siblings under 6 months free!)

7:00pm: Family Craft Night at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20015)
Arts and crafts for children of all ages.

Thursday-

10:00am: Story time at Foundry United Methodist Church
(16th St NW and P St NW)
Come and join us for a new 6-week, story time class. Children ages 1-4 years old (although younger babies welcome) and their caretakers are invited to come and sing, hear stories, and play. This is not a drop-off class, caretakers must stay with the children. Sign-up soon – class size is limited. The cost is $30 ($5 per class). Fee waivers available.

10:30am: Uno, Dos, Tres Con Andres at Eastern Market with Boogie Babes
(225 7th Street SE- North Hall)
The Boogie Babes program brings interactive musical performances for young children and their caregivers each week to area neighborhoods. The events, typically 45 minutes in length, provide a wonderful way to expose children to different musical instruments and styles while also raising funds for and awareness of DC Diaper Bank’s work and mission. $6 per child (siblings under 6 months free!)

7:30pm: Dinner in 30: Quick, Easy, and Healthy Dinner Solutions at Edlavitch DCJCC
(529 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20036)
In this workshop, health coach and busy mom Jessica Braider will focus on tricks and tips for getting a healthy dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. We will discuss the roadblocks to making dinner (kids underfoot, prepping ingredients, clean-up, etc.) and how we can overcome them. Participants will learn how to make a weekly meal plan and will leave with recipes and approaches that are easy, fun, and healthy. $15 register now.

Friday-

10:30am AND 11:45am: Kitchen Adventures at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with Encore Stage & Studio
(4000 Lorcom Ln Arlington, VA 22207)
Something’s sizzling at Encore! In its newest play series for preschoolers, Encore Stage & Studio presents Kitchen Adventures. Actors bring nutrition balancing acts and colorful foods to life, all the while teaching your little one about healthy choices. With more than a tablespoon of fun, Encore has the recipe for an exciting theatre-going experience for you and your child! $10 tickets

10:30am: Ella Enchanted at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD. 20812)
Based on the Newberry Honor book by Gail Carson Levine. Baby Ella of Frell is given the “gift” of obedience by Lucinda, a misguided fairy, and thus cannot disobey any direct order. Then when tragedy strikes, Ella is reduced to an obedient servant in her new home with Dame Olga. Can Ella find a way to rid herself of the troublesome curse?

4:00pm-6:00pm: BINGO at Guy Mason Recreation Center
(3600 Calvert Street, NW)
If you like meeting people, playing games, having fun and winning prizes! Mix and mingle with neighbors and friends while playing BINGO! Win nice prizes, and have fun without having to travel far… So come on out and join us in BINGO at Guy Mason! For more information, please contact Ms. Bell at (202) 727-7703

Weekend Picks February 10-12

February 10, 2017

In case you missed yesterdays post, “Like and Comment” on Beltway Bambino’s Facebook page to enter to win a $50 gift card for your Valentine’s Day shopping from Whole Foods Market! Read all about how I made a low-maintenance, delicious Valentine’s Day dinner from Whole Foods Market. And while you’re there make sure you like our Facebook page for articles, event postings and more.

Make sure you get to attend some of these amazing theatrical productions in our area:

Blue at Imagination Stage– Last show Feb. 12
Ella Enchanted at Adventure Theatre– Feb. 3-March 19
Kitchen Adventures at Encore Stage & Studio- Feb. 9-Feb. 25
The Freshest Snow Whyte at Imagination Stage– Feb. 11-March 18

Refer to the list of upcoming events that you may need to purchase advance tickets or reserve a spot to attend.

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(Photo: The Great Zucchini with Barry the Magician at Avalon Theatre)

Saturday-

9:00am-4:00pm: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Open House
(1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Explore your world and learn how NOAA—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—takes the pulse of the planet every day and protects and manages ocean and coastal resources. Join us on NOAA’s Silver Spring, Maryland, campus for a series of free activities, including engaging talks by NOAA experts, interactive exhibits, special tours, and hands-on activities for ages 5 and up. Meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunters, and others who work to understand our environment, protect life and property, and conserve and protect natural resources. Free and open to the public, adults need to show government issued ID.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Skher Brown and The Dancing Warriors at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Explore how the dance-fight art form of Capoeira Angola journeyed from its origins in Central Africa to the shores of South America. Families will experience history through a visual folktale show of spins, kicks, flips, and live music.

10:00am: The Great Zucchini with Barry the Magician at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Ave NW)
The Great Zucchini is back with Barry the Magician! Washington’s funniest and most magical entertainers are taking over the Avalon for another colorful show where every kid is the star. The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini’s performance keeps children on the edge of their seats and guarantees laughter. Tickets: $9.00 / $7.00 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)

10:30am AND 1:00pm: Steve Songs at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Steve blends participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies to create what the Boston Globe called “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one.” $12 advanced tickets, $15 at door

11:00am-12:00pm: hiSTORY time at National Museum of American History
(1st Floor, West Wing: 12th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001)
Join us for hiSTORYtime, a new program for children ages 0 to 6. Early learners and their caregivers may drop by to listen to a story and participate in hands-on activities and crafts inspired by objects and themes from the museum collection. Saturdays in February are all about transportation. Come hear stories about things that go, create a car craft, and play with toy cars.

11:00am-4:00pm: Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
Love is in the details at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum! Come out and create heart-felt handmade cards and visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. Free, no need to RSVP.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Carnival Family Day at Anacostia Community Museum
(1901 Fort Place SE Washington, DC 20020)
In celebration of the exhibition Gateways, enjoy live entertainment, face painting, mask making, storytelling, and other activities for the kids at this popular annual museum event. See schedule of events online.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Sweet Tea Party at Chevy Chase Community Center
(5601 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20015)
Boys are more than welcome to attend! Young ladies are asked to wear hats and boys bow ties or ties. Lite lunch served along with Valentine’s day card making, cupcake decorating and other activities. Free for youth aged 4-10. Registration is require, email Fran Scott

Sunday-

10:00am-12:00pm: Arts on the Horizon present Nutt & Bolt Exploration Day at UpCylcle Creative Reuse Center
(1605 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314)
Come discover and play with textures at our sensory activity station, visit our sound playground, add to the community wind chime, and make your very own upcycled instrument at our craft station. We’ll also be offering three mini creative movement and storytime workshops at 10:30 am, 11:00 am, and 11:30 am. Purchase tickets online

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session, you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Featured story: My Heart is Like a Zoo

1:00pm-4:00pm: 7th Annual Mid-Winter Play Day at Takoma Park Community Center
(7500 Maple Ave Takoma Park, MD. 20912)
Let’s Play America is a nonprofit organization that strives to encourage people of all ages to play and helps them create playful events in their own communities. Zumba classes for children and adults as well as other play activities include Balloon Game, Cookie Decorating, Board Games/Puzzles, Crafts, Just Boxes/Face Painting/Play Dough, Pool,ping pong, air hockey, Alternative Games, Comic Jam, Dress-up, Giant Chess/Giant, Corn Hole, And More!

GIVEAWAY: Whole Foods Market Family Friendly Valentine’s Day Dinner

February 9, 2017

I am at Whole Foods Market shopping at least twice a week. So when I was asked to do a fun promo for Valentine’s Day, I jumped at the opportunity. After all, our family devours their fresh produce, organic dairy and meats and bulk items, so another trip was more than welcome. For the promo, the mission was to create a family-friendly Valentine’s Day dinner for my husband and two children. Mission accomplished!

Valentine’s Day is not complete without a bouquet of roses. Whole Foods Market has a holiday special “Double Dozen Premium Roses” for $24.99. I love roses — so having a dozen roses in the dining room and another dozen roses in my bedroom is extra special. Spread the word to the husbands, wives, partners, kids….everyone! It really is a great deal and they have other denominations and colors to choose from.

My family loves surf and turf but I will only splurge when it’s a special occasion…and a Valentine’s celebration certainly qualifies. I went on Pinterest to find a cute Valentine’s way to present the meal and decided on cutting up a variety of fruit and form them into the shape of a heart as well as connecting two shrimp in the shape of a heart and placing on top of the steak. The kids got a kick out of making the shrimp into hearts (as you can see below) and occasionally they took a break to dip the (already cooked) shrimp in the 365 brand Cocktail Sauce. I served the surf and turf with Sweet Potato Puffs and Super Sweet Bicolor Corn which was loved by all.

After dinner, came the big surprise for the kids, a box of Lake Champlain assorted chocolates. My kindergartener read all of the flavors on the back of the box to us and we chose our favorite to eat. Let’s just say they are not picky.

In summary, using Whole Food Market’s 365 products as well as foods made in-house, I prepared a memorable Valentine’s Day meal that was fun and enjoyable for the whole family.

Giveaway: “Like and Comment” on Beltway Bambino’s Facebook page to enter to win a $50 gift card for your Valentine’s Day shopping! An extra entry for commenting below on this blog post, however you MUST comment on Facebook to be entered. One random winner will be announced February 13, 2017.

Did you know you can do your Valentine’s Day shopping online if you can’t get out of the house? Check out the latest Whole Foods Market flier below for Valentine’s Day specials:

Your guide to Valentine’s Day chocolate

February 6, 2017

Valentine’s Day for me is just another excuse to shove even more chocolate in my mouth than I did the day before. It also means the quality is probably better than my typical 3:00pm pick-me up from the hidden Halloween stash that my child doesn’t know exists. There are plenty of delicious places for you to shop this Valentine’s Day for yourself, your love or your Bambinos that don’t include the heart shaped milk chocolate box from CVS. These are worth the trip, guaranteed.

Fleurir Chocolates: 724 Jefferson Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Hand made artisan chocolates that are works of art made of high-quality, natural ingredients in small batches.

Co Co. Sala: 929 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Washington DC’s luxurious chocolate boutique lounge and restaurant, crafting signature cocktails and serving delicious savory and sweet meals.

Chocolate Chocolate: 1130 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20036
D.C.’s first independent chocolate shop, in 1984 serving chocolate from around the world.

Godiva: 1143 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 and many other locations
Hand dipped strawberries, truffles for miles and drinks made to order. You can become a Rewards member for free and receive a free truffle each month.

Balduccis: Locations in Bethesda, Alexandria and McLean
This is a premiere destination for many things such as meats and cheeses, the section of chocolates and confections is very impressive.