What You’re Doing Valentine’s Day Weekend

What are you doing this weekend? We offer you a starting point:

Celebrate La Saint-Valentin with a soiree at the Embassy of France (4101 Reservoir Road NW). Whether you're single or paired up, enjoy an open bar, pastries, live music and a silent auction. 8 p.m.; $95-$100 ($20 tax-deductible).

A permanent but still beloved staple of D.C.'s nightlife scene, Mousetrap returns (yet again!) to the Black Cat (1811 14th St. NW) for Brit pop and indie dance night, featuring DJs Mark Zimin and Stereofaith. 9:30 p.m. doors; $10.

Fall in love with something else this weekend... like cocktails! (As if you didn't already love them). Head out to Cupid's Not Stupid: Cocktails to Fall For at the Ronald Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). Kicking off the weekend of wine, food and fun is a friendly Valentine's Day-themed cocktail competition featuring five of D.C.'s top mixologists as part of the International Wine and Food Festival. 7-10 p.m.; $55.

Open Table's new list of Most Romantic Restaurants includes three local spots. Although your hopes of a Feb. 14 reservation are likely dashed, consider making one for Feb. 10 or 11. Tell your sweetie you're just too excited to wait until next week....

Tour gourmet booths, a Restaurant Row featuring local eateries, an Artisan Row and more at the International Wine & Food Festival at the Ronald Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). Five of the city's hottest -- including Todd Gray of Equinox and Jamie Montes de Oca of Zentan -- will meld the worlds of food and wine to create their own savory dishes. General admission for one afternoon (2-6 p.m.) is $80-$85; both days $145. A VIP package ($600) is available for the big spenders.

Uncover your mystery lover at the Love Masquerade, a masquerade ball and costume fashion show. Dress for premium cocktails, dessert and dancing. Masks will be handed out at the door (green masks for singles and black if you're "looking for action"... wow). Music by John Jazz will set the mood as you search for that special someone in the romantic setting of the Washington Club (15 Dupont Circle NW). Play games and enter for a chance to win prizes, including a dinner voucher for a local restaurant. 9 p.m.; $60.

Woo at the Zoo returns to the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave NW) to teach you about the mating and dating habits of your favorite zoo animals. Decorate Naughty Bits Brownies (exactly what it sounds like), and enjoy specialty drinks (cash bar) and complementary hors d'oeuvres as you take in the show. 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m; $22.

In just two months, wedding season madness will begin. If you're a bride gearing up for the big day, this open house may be just what you need to finish up those last-minute details. More than 144 wedding vendors will be at Hotel Monaco (480 King St., Alexandria, Va.) for the Wedding Open House, a bridal mixer and showcase. Enjoy drinks, a candy buffet, raffles, and catering by Jackson 20. See more info here (PDF). 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.; free.

Famed DJ Will Eastman will be spinning at Eighteenth Street Lounge (1212 18th St. NW), with Farid and Kimozaki in the Gold Room, and special guest DJ Cortega. On the second floor, All That Jazz will feature the Donvonte McCoy Quartet.

Enjoy five different types of couverture (high-quality and made with extra cocoa butter) chocolate in solid, liquid and ganache (yay!) form at Co Co. Sala (929 F St. NW) during their chocolate and champagne tasting class. Indulge as you sip on a variety of champagnes and sparkling wines and learn about the treats in front of you. 2-3:30 p.m., $50 per person (includes tax and gratuity). You must pre-purchase your tickets.

Before iPods and CDs, there were records! Celebrate the good old days at the D.C. Record Fair, held this time at Riot Act (801 E St. NW) with 40 top record dealers from along the East Coast. The entire theater will be filled with food, drinks, music from DJ Roz and Will Eastman, and of course, two floors full of records. 11 a.m.-noon $5 early admission; noon-5 p.m. $2.

Join in on the Sweets of Georgetown Chocolate Tour to learn Georgetown history... and, of course, to sample truffles, cupcakes, chocolates and other goodies. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; $48.

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