Single Guy's Planner

This February, we see the colliding of Chinese New Year and crazy hearts as the lunar new year and Valentines Day fall on the same day, Feb. 14 (Sunday). If you’re not busy trying to get a dinner reservation for that Sunday or planning a big feast with the family, you might want to check out some of these events. (FYI, this year will be the Year of the Tiger and the traditional, massive Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco is set for Feb. 27.)

Feb. 5-14: San Francisco Beer Week. Well, little more than a week. But this annual celebration of beer all over town kicks off with an opening gala at the Yerba Buena Center. (Admission: $45) But it’s not just big galas — also on tap are special dinners at select city restaurants, a beer-themed scavenger hunt, and even beer-flavored ice cream at my favorite Humphry Slocombe. For a complete list of events, visit the SF Brewers Guild’s Web site.

Feb. 6-7 (Saturday-Sunday): Chinese New Year Flower Fair in San Francisco. This isn’t exactly a food event, but when you have a street fair you know there’s going to be some kind of food! This annual event in Chinatown is primarily for people to stock up on blooming flowers to decorate their homes ahead of the Chinese New Year. (It’s good luck to have blooming red flowers for the new year.) But stroll along the booths and beyond the bank giveaways and mobile phone pitches, you might see food like mochi cake and peanuts perfect for the new year! Portions of Grant Avenue and Pacific Avenue closed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit the event Web site.

Feb. 11 (Thursday): Dark Dining by TasteTV. OK, I don’t get this whole eating-in-the-dark trend because I like to see my food! But if you’re all into being in the dark, especially for a Valentines theme dinner, then head over to Supperclub (the San Francisco restaurant where you eat on a bed … eating in bed in the dark, oh my!). This special event has limited space and there are only a few tickets left. Cost is $95, which includes wine pairing. Click here for more information.

Feb. 11 (Thursday): Singles and Sprinkles at 18 Reasons. This Mission neighborhood community food group is planning a night for singles, with a bit of cookie decorating and sweets for this Valentines affair. Suggested donation of $10 for 18 Reasons members and $15 general admission. Event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. as a drop-in social at the 18th Reasons location at 593 Guerrero St.(at 18th). For more information go to www.18reasons.org.

Feb. 12 (Friday): Food From the Heart. This annual Valentines-themed event at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza always adds a romantic touch as you stroll through the cavernous Ferry Building at night munching on tasty bites. This year you can also try a variety of wines from Napa Valley (got to support the California winemakers, who saw a dip in sales in 2009). Event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and you can purchase food tickets at tables around the Ferry Building. Stores and restaurants will be offering up nibbles for $2 to $4 each. Proceeds benefit Slow Food San Francisco. Click here for more information.

Feb 13 (Saturday): Wagashi Workshop. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California has some interesting events and classes. If you’re a fan of mochi, the sticky rice flour candy, then you might want to check out this class to learn how to make uguisumochi and hichigiri. (And if you know what kind of mochi this is, then you definitely need to take this class.) Class runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and includes demonstration and hands-on practice and takes place at the center at 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. For more information, go to the center’s Web site. To sign up call 415.567.5505 or email programsevents@jcccnc.org.

Feb. 19 (Friday): Napa Valley Mustard Festival Grand Dinner. The culinary highlight of the splendid Mustard Festival will be hosted by popular Brix restaurant in Yountville. Head Chef Anne Gingrass takes the lead with other Napa Valley guest chefs helping out to create a seven-course dinner with wine pairing. Event starts at 6 p.m. and comes with a $225 price tag for each ticket. Visit the Mustard Festival Web site for more information and to buy tickets. Other major Mustard Festival events will take place throughout the month and into March, including the Marketplace (March 13-14) where you can taste a variety of food products at various sites along the riverfront in downtown Napa.

Feb. 24 (Wednesday): Mardi Gras Dinner at Orson’s. OK, I think they’re a bit late considering Ash Wednesday is a week before this date, but when people want to drink and flash beads, who cares, right? So Orson’s in San Francisco’s SOMA district is putting on a special Mardi Gras dinner, which is similar to their monthly cocktail-pairing dinners but with a Mardi Gras theme. Go to the restaurant’s Web site for more information about the menu and to make a reservation.