Reserve Her Heart

Turn up the romance at these four Washington hot spots

TEA FOR TWO AT THE PARK HYATT WASHINGTON: 1201 24th St. N.W. · (202) 419-6755 The Park Hyatt offers the ultimate tea time: black, vintage pu-erh, herbal, royal white and green teas. There are more than 50 rare and exotic blends from all over the world, including some that are considered aphrodisiacs. Take your loved one for a romantic afternoon in the chic lounge and enjoy a pot - or two - with pastries.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL: 1330 Maryland Ave. S.W. · (202) 554-8588 Want to stay in? Consider the Sensual Delight package at the five-star Mandarin Oriental hotel, which includes Champagne, chocolate fondue, assorted fruits and cakes, in-room movies and even a "Kama Sutra Game."

THE MELTING POT: 1220 19th St. N.W. · (202) 857-0777 The romantic effect of the fondue pot cannot be underestimated; this communal act has both endearingly clumsy moments - dropping the bread in the lava-esque sea of Gruyere - and eternally sweet ones. There's no better excuse to feed your date than a foot-long fork, as it preserves a respectful distance while remaining intimate. Book a table in the romantic Lover's Lane section and enjoy a chocolate fondue prepared tableside.

1789: 1226 36th St. N.W. · (202) 965-1789 Led by award-winning executive chef Nathan Beauchamp, 1789 provides a charmingly romantic ambience replete with silk-shaded lamps, roaring wood fires and Limoges china. Relaxed country-inn elegance and an extensive wine list assure an unforgettable evening.

THE SECRET OF JEWELRY

WASHINGTON LIFE: What is this obsession we have with jewelry?
JORGE ADELER: Since the beginning of mankind, jewelry has been consistently present. It is represented in every culture and on every continent. It touches the soul and evokes passion and joy. Jewelry has been used to express friendship and commitment as well as to show respect for religious figureheads in some cultures and gods in others.

WL: So, the "value" of jewelry often exceeds its intrinsic worth.
JA: Yes, because it ties to the spirit, heart and soul of the gift giver as well as to the recipient.

WL: Is that something you are conscious of when you design a piece?
JA: I focus on the hopes, dreams and emotions of my clients to inspire and drive my designs. I also visit the countries where the gemstones I use originate. I meet the miners and learn about the "romance" of each gem.

WL: What about the desire of the customer?
JA: It is equally important that I understand what vision my clients have when designing a piece. What emotions do they wish the piece to represent? Love, passion, success, promise ... all of this helps me to create that special one-of-a-kind "time capsule" that masks as a "jewel."

WL: What makes a design a success?
AD: When a person comes to me to design something to commemorate a wedding, birth, anniversary, promotion, graduation or any number of other monumental occasions, it requires my rapt and complete attention to what emotion and sentiment that person wants that piece to convey. That is what will make the design a success.

THE PUCCI PROJECT:
The Georgetown Inn gets a makeover by way of furniture designer and gallery owner Ralph Pucci and LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels - Hotel Ralph Pucci will open in fall 2007. For more information, visit www.luxuryresorts.com or call 1-877-LXR-XOXO.

THE SCENT OF LOVE:
Give the "Love to Love You" package from Lush - which includes a "Sex Bomb" bath bomb, "Ohh La La" lavender-infused soap and other goodies - for a steamy (and fragrant) holiday; $34.95. Available at Lush; 3066 M St. N.W.; (202) 333-6950.

Blown Away your inner child is calling you. Answer at the 41st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on March 31 at the Washington Monument from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (202) 357-3030	Cinématographe Lumière; Panorama of Grand Canal as Seen from a Boat, 1896, 50 feet; Producer: Alexandre Promio; camera: Alexandre Promio

The Bard Cometh all the world's a stage, but everything Shakespeare is set just for D.C. as the Kennedy enter presents Shakespeare in Washington from January to June 2007. The celebration showcases a splendid array of all things Shakespearean - including A Midsummer Night's Dream ballet at the Kennedy Center and a screening of Richard III at the AFI Silver Theater. For more information visit www. kennedy-center.org/programs/ festivals/06-07/shakespeare.

Thomas A. Edison Company; The Kiss, 1896; half-tone flip book of Edison film

Anniversaryon Ice New York City's Rockefeller Center Ice Rink - which has become a Big Apple landmark in the decades since it opened on Christmas Day in 1936 - celebrates its 70th anniversary this season. To mark the occasion, take advantage of the "Skate- A-Date" package if you're in New York this winter. The $70 package includes VIP skating (no lines!) and dinner for two at Rock Center Café, which overlooks the rink. For more information visit www.rapatina.com/iceRink.

A Sweet Deal treat your sweetheart right with this edible heart-shaped light or dark chocolate box of DeBrand chocolatier's truffles; $95. For more information or to order, visit www.debrand.com.

The Sweet Life at the Ritz with the "Be My Chocolate Valentine" package from the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown, (overnight accommodations, chocolate bath cocktail presentation, chocolate lover's breakfast in bed, etc.) your special evening (and morning) are sure to be sweet; prices starting at $449. The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown	Famoso Restaurant

Adult Entertainment Valentine's Day is made for cocktails - either for celebrating or drowning sorrows. Make your favorite (or try something new) with X-Rated Vodka and Fusion Liqueur; $29.99 (vodka) and $27.99 (Fusion Liqeuer). For more information, visit www.xratedvodka.com	Love in Seven Languages "I Love you" - in Spanish, English, German, Hebrew, Italian, Chinese and French - is embroidered on the left leg of each boy short in this package from Mary Green; $105. Available at Sylene, 4407 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, Md.; (301) 654-4200

Think Pink she will if you give her something from Victoria Secret Pink's Valentine's Day collection, inspired by the most romantic city in the world - Paris. Elle l'aimera! "I See Paris" underwear, $7.50. Available at Victoria's Secret; for more information and store locations, visit www.victoriassecret.com	Tea Cellar at Park Hyatt Washington

Flowers in a Bottle Tom Ford Black Orchid Perfume in a limited-edition black crystal bottle designed by Tom Ford for Lalique; $600 for a halfounce bottle. Available at Neiman Marcus	For Decoration Only don't bite into these chocolates! I R I D E S S E cultured chocolate Tahitian pearl and cognac diamond circle drop earrings in 18K gold; $2,225. Available at Iridesse, Tysons Galleria, McLean, Va.; (703) 356-6222

Under the Inluence of Design, this fall, Dom Perignon will unveil a limited edition ice bucket designed by Marc Newson - named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2005 - to hold a magnum of the spirit. It will be available in D.C. exclusively at Apartment Zero (406 Seventh Street, N.W.), the $1,000 objet d'art comes in Newson's signature lime green	1789 Restaurant

The Secret of Jewelry