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Zeffirelli's Offers Great Option for Valentine's Day

Save room for the best Tiramisu in the area

Valentine’s Day is the one day all restaurants need to bring out their “A” game.

The best food, the best service, and the best atmosphere—because in that one night there is a lot of money to be made and reputations to maintain. If you want a sensational intimate dinner, Zeffirelli's in Herndon is the place to go.

Zeffirelli's is offering a superb three-course Valentine's Day menu for $65 per person, plus tax and tip. The menu includes your choice of appetizers or salads, a main course and a choice of dessert.

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Now in its 21st year in Herndon, the reason for its longevity is more than sheer endurance—it is consistent in serving excellent, innovative main courses, and their centerpiece meals of pastas and seafood are always good. “We got engaged here, and we celebrate our anniversary here every year,” said the couple sitting next to us. “Every year they serve us a great meal. We would not go anyplace else for our special occasion.”

Sea scallops wrapped in prosciutto, served over lentils with a touch of truffle oil, was remarkable in aroma and textures for my appetizer. For romantics, their heart-shaped homemade ravioli appetizer will elicit an "awwww" from feminine guests. The fried calamari was also my favorite; whisper-thin breaded and flash-fried so it was crisp and light-as-a-feather to eat and their marinara sauce had a delightful fresh-tomato taste.

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Their Caesar salad was first class, showing off their amazing homemade Caesar dressing. It was both creamy and bold in flavors of fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice and anchovies.

Besides the romantic atmosphere, you are warmly greeted at the door and quickly shown to a table (it is best to make a reservation). The dining room is small and cozy, with crisp white table linens and a fresh, scarlet-red rose on each table, simple and elegant. There is also a balcony dining area for a private party or reception. Most patrons do not realize that this building is one of the oldest in Herndon and was originally a post office.

In downtown Herndon on Pine Street, one block from the historic Depot, Zeffirelli’s is easily accessible, with convenient free parking. The servers are very observant, and pay close attention to the details, especially between courses, where replacement silverware was properly delivered and water glasses refilled before the next courses arrived.

My main course was a mixture of large, succulent sea scallops, shrimp, a half-lobster tail and mussels served on top of homemade linguine with a pink champagne lobster sauce. The scallops were plump and cooked perfectly, to my delight, as was the rest of the seafood. This plate did not stall under a warming light.

The veal scaloppini dishes are melt-in-your-mouth tender. Their lobster-stuffed pasta with a creamy lobster brandy sauce was extraordinarily delicious, and portion sizes on dishes were very generous. Their pecan-crusted rockfish, served with a light Dijon mustard sauce, is also an excellent choice.

Their wine list is impressive and has a wide variety of Italian wines, though some are very expensive, as can be expected in fine dining. Our server recommended a wine by the glass, which was perfectly matched for the courses we had selected.

Zeffirelli's most famous entrée is their grilled veal chop, which is also on their Valentine's Day menu. Pan-seared with lemon juice, it is very tender and juicy from all of the marinating.

Save room for the absolute best tiramisu in this area—a celebration for your taste buds with the traditional rich coffee liqueur/dark chocolate flavors and fluffy mascarpone cheese between cake layers that are very tender and light, not soggy. With an espresso, this was heaven at the end of a perfect meal.

My only criticism of this restaurant is the entry and exit area. Be sure to pay close attention to the doorway, especially if you are escorting older guests, as there are several unexpected steps before you touch sidewalk as you are leaving. For unsuspecting patrons, it can be quite a shock if you are talking and not paying attention to the signage on the door.            

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