Lunar New Year Celebration in San Francisco
February 8 at 5 p.m.
Street fair on Kearny Street February 7 and 9

Ring in the Year of the Rat (or the Mouse if you prefer the slightly cuddlier name) and head to San Francisco’s Chinatown, the nation’s largest and oldest destination for Chinese family-owned restaurants, teahouses, and cocktail bars and lounges. Celebrate Chinese history and culture with innovative cocktails and bites inspired by the lunar calendar. But first lets start with your plan to attend the San Francisco parade–the largest celebration outside Asia and one of the few illuminated nighttime parades in the world. Plan accordingly and expect huge crowds.

And who doesn’t like Chinese food? From Moongate Lounge, a moody and stunning bar hidden in the lantern-decked Waverly Place, to the historic Golden Gate Fortune Cookie factory at Ross Alley, to the original double doors of the Four Seas restaurant, where for half a century families poured in for weddings and red egg and ginger ceremonies. It is also a location for Mister Jiu’s, the world-renowned Michelin Star restaurant where tourists flock for outstanding dining. Quite reasonably priced, Chef Jiu and his team created some memorable small plates for you to enjoy. You may wish to attend the Miss Chinatown competition which attracts young women from throughout the United States who will come to San Francisco to compete. It’s all enticing, colorful and delicious. Happy Chinese New Year: Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Information
Find all the events at chineseparade.com
Rain or shine, the parade will go on.

Photo courtesy of Chinese Parade

San Francisco Beer Week’s Cheers-ful Festivities
February 7-16

Northern California’s biggest brew festival takes over breweries, restaurants, and other venues for ten days of hundreds of sudsy events starting with the SF Beer Week Opening Gala on February 7 at San Francisco’s Pier 35. Other fun events include an IPA Festival, barrel-aged release party, dim sum beer brunch, live flamenco show, beer and food pairings, and beer trivia. Example: “Why do they drink only warm beer in Europe?” A perfect way to warm up on the cold February nights and include a Valentine’s Day celebration with your sweetheart. Who says it has to be champagne? Cheers!

Tickets and Information
Prices vary
For detailed information visit sfbeerweek.org

Photo courtesy of SF Beer

Romance is in the Air at Fabulous Restaurants on the Peninsula
February 14 – 15

LB Steak in San Jose: On Valentine’s Day, LB Steak in San Jose’s Santana Row will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. serving a reduced à la carte dinner menu all day, plus a $110.00 four-course prix fixe menu with an amuse bouche; a champagne oyster Shooter with caviar pearls; scallop tartare with avocado and citrus supremes; surf and turf, an 8 oz. filet with olive oil poached lobster tail; and more. Every couple dining at the restaurant for dinner will receive a complimentary rose. The prix fixe will also be available on February 15 and 16 in addition to the regular menus.

Left Bank Brasserie Menlo Park: On Valentine’s Day and the day after, Left Bank Brasserie in Menlo Park will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. serving their regular à la carte lunch menu and a $65.00 three-course prix fixe menu for dinner. The dinner menu starts with a glass of sparkling wine and includes main course choices of duck a la vanille, filet mignon, pan-seared day boat scallops, and more. All prix fixe items will also be available à la carte and each couple will receive a complimentary rose.

Information
Left Bank Brasserie Menlo Park
635 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park
650.473.6543
www.leftbank.com

LB Steak Brasserie at Santana Row in San Jose
334 Santana Row in San Jose
408.244.1180
www.lbsteak.com

Wine and Chocolates are on the Sweet Pairing Menu in Beautiful Lodi
February 7 – 9

I left the best for last for this week’s culinary column. A wine and chocolate weekend is buzzing in Lodi and it’s a dreamy mix. The city of Lodi dedicates an entire weekend to that delectable pairing, sort of an early Valentine’s Day celebration for all in love! More than 45 wineries throughout the appellation will participate in the delicious fun with chocolates and wine. One of Lodi’s newest hot spots is Bubbles n’ Birds, a chic, chandelier-adorned champagne bar with brunch served on the weekends at 10 a.m. Don’t miss the fried chicken and waffles served with a grilled watermelon salad (my favorite) accompanied by a glass of bubbly. Make it a weekend get-away and try to taste as many wines and chocolates produced in the local region. It’s only 90 minutes from San Francisco.

Information
209-263-7115
bubblesnbirds.com
117 West Elm Street in Lodi

Photo by Lodi’s Wine & Chocolates Weekend

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.