I've written a couple of articles for Valentine's Day (I'll let you know more and link to them when they are published). The reason I mention it is that writing for Valentine's Day has put me in a dreamy state of mind. This year I'm really getting into the spirit of the holiday, I've been musing over what to cook for Valentine's Day dinner and I'm even sending off Valentine's Day care packages to some friends and relations that got sorely neglected back in December....
In preparation for Valentine's Day here are a handful of local events that may get you in the mood too. Admission is free for all events listed.
The first event is a delicious wine and chocolate tasting, and it takes place at CocoaBella, a chocolate shop I wrote about recently.
Thursday & Friday, February 10th & 11th, 6 PM - 9 PM:
CocoaBella Port and Madeira Tasting (2102 Union St @ Webster)
CocoaBella has partnered with Broadbent, a local wine importer and maker of ports and madeiras to bring you a selection of fortified wines to taste with chocolate. They have also created special chocolate, madeira and port Valentine's Day gifts available for purchase.
The other events are associated with Food from the Heart, a fundraiser for Slow Food at our very own San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace. This is a terrific series of events that I enjoyed last year and plan on attending again.
Friday, 11th, 5 PM - 8 PM
Slow Food Wine Tasting
The public is invited to stroll the candlelit Grand Nave where the merchants and restaurateurs of the Marketplace will offer seasonal hors d'oeuvres and Slow Food will pour wine from several wine bars ($5.00 per glass). There will be tango and salsa dancing, chocolate demonstrations by Recchiutti Confections, and Mort Rosenblum will be discussing his book, Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark & Light. Proceeds from wine bar and hors d'oeuvres purchases benefit Slow Food San Francisco.
Saturday, February 12th, 8 AM - 5 PM
Farmers Market & Marketplace Valentine's Offerings
Ferry Place Farmers Market will be abundant with food from the farm. Enticing demonstrations are scheduled at the CUESA kitchen: At 10:30 a.m. Chef Eric Tucker of the pre-eminent vegan Millennium Restaurant will demonstrate a dish inspired by the restaurant's famous full moon Aphrodisiac dinner. At 11:30 a.m. renowned perfumer Mandy Aftel, author of AROMA: Cooking with Essential Oils will enlighten all with fragrances that enhance our everyday lives. Inside the Marketplace, merchants will offer an abundance of heartfelt foods and gifts.
Sunday, February 13th, 11 AM - 5 PM
Food from the Heart
Michael Recchiuti and Mark Asterlind will paint confectionary masterpieces with melted chocolate. Complimentary samples of the chocolate artwork will be available - and proceeds from an auction of finished chocolate canvas will benefit Slow Food. Hog Island Oysters will offer Love on the Half Shell - a convivial celebration of oysters & folklore.
