Transcripts

Date Nights D.C.

MS. REBECCA SHEIR

13:13:43
Okay. So say you finally found that special someone and now you have Valentine's Day coming up. So what do you do? Well, an organization in D.C. has an idea for you. Actually, it has an entire list of ideas. For the second year in a row, Destination D.C., the district's official tourism marketing organization, has established the D.C. Department of Love and Relationships to provide what it calls relief for troubled date planners.

MS. REBECCA SHEIR

13:14:14
And its first order of business, Date Nights D.C., a month-long promotion where more than four dozen local restaurants, hotels, museums and theaters are offering discounts in hopes of boosting business and perhaps subtly seducing all those lovebirds seeking a little romance. Marc Adams dishes up the details.

MR. MARC ADAMS

13:14:32
It's a Saturday night in Northwest D.C.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE #1

13:14:36
Any interest in some raw oysters for you tonight? Excellent.

ADAMS

13:14:38
And Hank's Oyster Bar is hopping.

#1

13:14:41
You've got the bar cats from Virginia are going to be medium-sized, plumb with a little bit of a briny, mineral finish.

ADAMS

13:14:46
But as general manager, Jeff Strine, will tell you, it's still not quite the turnout they get during the summer.

MR. JEFF STRINE

13:14:51
Traditionally, the winter months, January and February, are a little slower for Hank's and, I think, for restaurants all over the city.

ADAMS

13:14:59
After all, you have colder weather, sometimes snowy or icy roads and that's on top of a still-struggling economy. That's where Date Nights D.C. comes in. Its organizers are calling it the quote, "28-Day Stimulus Plan for Love and Relationships". The Date Nights D.C. website...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #1

13:15:18
...well, we have in D.C. playing soccer...

ADAMS

13:15:19
...features videos of couples telling their personal stories, offers more than 100 different date ideas, lists businesses offering deals and recommends spots in the city to take that special someone.

#1

13:15:32
I think one of the most romantic places in D.C. is Rock Creek Park because it's this beautiful location where it's so quiet and you can just focus on whoever you're with and that's...

ADAMS

13:15:42
And if you still need help, have no fear, the Date Nights D.C. concierge is here. I thought I'd give it a try.

DATE NIGHTS D.C. CONCIERGE

13:15:53
DateNightsDC.org

ADAMS

13:15:56
I'm calling to speak with the Date Concierge about planning something for my wife.

CONCIERGE

13:16:00
I'm happy to help you. What are you looking to do?

ADAMS

13:16:03
Perhaps something fun, something on a budget, but definitely a romantic surprise for my wife.

CONCIERGE

13:16:08
Okay. Well, I've got a few ideas for you.

ADAMS

13:16:12
The Obamas' high-profile date nights back in 2009 sparked the idea for Date Nights D.C. and now its organizers are hoping it will encourage Washingtonians to grab their sweeties and paint the town red by splurging big.

CONCIERGE

13:16:26
The Park Hyatt has this amazing, blow-your-mind, over-the-top, luxury weekend package, complete with a driver and a butler and in-room dinner provided by Chef Brian McBride from the Voodock (ph) Tavern. That caps it over $8,000.

ADAMS

13:16:44
Or a little more modestly...

CONCIERGE

13:16:46
But I also like the idea that you can go to One Lounge and do something for $5, too.

ADAMS

13:16:51
And is this going to score me major points with my wife?

CONCIERGE

13:16:54
Oh, that's up to you.

MR. ELLIOTT FERGUSON

13:16:54
It's all about people coming into the city checking into hotels, eating in restaurants, going to the theater and spending money in Washington D.C.

ADAMS

13:17:05
Elliott Ferguson is the president and CEO of Destination D.C., the company organizing the event.

FERGUSON

13:17:10
You know, we think it's the month of February, it's the month of love. If you would, for us, do something in your own backyard, explore Washington, D.C. itself.

ADAMS

13:17:19
Destination D.C. says 15 new businesses decided to take part this year, including, of course, Hank's Oyster Bar which is offering deals on Mondays and Tuesdays of this month, like six oysters for $9. But here's the thing for the most part...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE #3

13:17:36
Have you heard of Date Night D.C.?

ADAMS

13:17:37
Tonight's customers aren't even aware of the month-long event.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #2

13:17:39
No, I haven't.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #3

13:17:42
No, I have not.

ADAMS

13:17:42
Have you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE #4

13:17:43
No, I haven't.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE #4

13:17:45
No, never.

ADAMS

13:17:45
Still, manager Jeff Strine remains optimistic. He says Hank's is an excellent spot for valentine season, especially for first dates. So it can all start with oysters?

STRINE

13:17:54
Definitely, if the oldest saying is true, oysters being, you know, have the reputation of being an aphrodisiac, I guess it can all start with oysters.

ADAMS

13:18:07
Oysters that is with a business-boosting love-inducing date night discount, I'm Marc Adams.
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