When you really need a wingman....

So you've blown it. You waited. You're now faced with a choice of grocery-store dyed carnations, a plethora of goofy cards that don't quite express what's in your heart at this stage of the relationship, and your idea of a great meal is a burger at the bar in front of a 50-inch flatscreen. Ouch. Well, Redwood may have you covered with a special prix-fixe three course menu for $59 per person featuring couple-pleasing, seasonal choices like sunchoke soup, small lobster sandwiches (those are just the apps, btw), followed by spice-roasted rack of lamb, crispy phyllo cannelloni, wood-grilled filet of beef, miso glazed black cod, etc., etc., plus dessert. Oh, and that also includes a champagne toast, chocolate treats, roses, AND dancing. Oh, and $8 specialty cocktails with names like "Lovers Delight." You're looking really good right now. Click here for menu and more info.

And don't miss these: American Tap Room's special three-course Valentine's Day dinner for $80 per couple and Lebanese Taverna's $49 per couple mezza V-day special. 

Friday Night Lights at the Front Row

We had a great time Friday night at the Front Row fashion show on Bethesda Lane and the cocktail reception at Redwood for special guests designer and author Laura Bennett of Project Runway and Tinsley Mortimer of High Society. I watched Project Runway when Laura was on and couldn't believe she actually had time to raise six kids AND design some of the most elegant clothes on the program. She blew us away Friday night not only with her elegance but her graciousness as well at the cocktail party. Plus she looked amazing in a silver beaded dress and satin pumps. Though we saw lots of great shoes, Tinsley M's Fendi pumps with see-through platform were a highlight. We loved the prom-goers in their gowns and tuxedos milling through the crowd to the restaurants. As the sun went down, the lights on the runway came on, the music thumped and the crowd, which filled Bethesda Lane, had a great time watching the models strut their stuff, modeling summer garb and a fall fashion preview from Bethesda Row boutiques, including City Sports, Wear It Well, Pink Palm, Ginger, Urban Chic, Luna, LouLou, J. McLaughlin, Waygoose, and Lucy.

Laura Bennett, Lindsay Buscher of Urban Chic, designer Lauren Leonard of Leona

Shannon Siriano

Paige Ralston Fromer and Rachel Cothran of Project Beltway

Tinsley Mortimer and Amanda Taylor

Jill Chamberlin Powell of Federal Realty

Jared Rager of Redwood and Gretchen Hitchner of Ginger

The paparazzi

Great view from Upstairs at Bethesda Row

The Runway:

Chicly Cheap Eats

Get your fingers ready to make those rezzies---Bethesda Row Spring Restaurant Week is fast approaching with bargain-priced three-course meals ($15 and $30) from April 26-May 2. Participating restaurants on the Row are: Redwood, Mon Ami Gabi, Raku, Assaggi, Parker's, Le Pain Quotidien, Jaleo and Lebanese Taverna--not a dud in the bunch. Before or after you dine, be sure to stop in the great indie shops lining Bethesda Row: Ginger, Pink Palm, Bella Italia, Waygoose, Urban Chic and Wear It Well, to name a few. Okay, what are you waiting for?? Make that call! Need more? Here are some special week-long menu samplings:

$15 Lunch at Raku includes your choice of:

1. Mesclun Salad or Ginger Pumpkin Soup

2. Japanese Hamburger Steak; Korean Grilled Spicy Chicken; or Sushi Assortment

3. Croissant Pudding or Chocolate Cake

$30 Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi includes your choice of:

1. Petit Salad; Chicken Liver Mousse Pate; Warm Brie Cheese; or Soup du Jour

2. Steak Frites; Lemon Chicken Paillard; or Seared Salmon

(...and the best for last...)

3. Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake; Chocolate Mousse; or Sorbet du Jour

Ok, if you're still not completely convinced, try this on for size. One lucky diner will win a $200 dinner certificate. Visit www.bethesdarow.com to register to win.