An East Bay Love Week Calendar
2/6: Prepare for the big day this Saturday at For the Love of Chocolate, The Pasta Shop Fourth Street Berkeley’s annual Valentine’s event. From 1 to 4pm, you can meet (and taste samples from) Bay Area chocolatiers Barlovento Chocolates, Charles Chocolates, Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate, and Poco Dolce Chocolates and find items for that romantic dinner or sweet baking project. No charge except for purchases. Info: here or 510.250.6004
2/11: Stop in at Hapuku Fish Shop (at Market Hall in Oakland) next Thursday from 5 to 7:30pm for some Valentine’s Day recipes and tastings of a variety of dishes for your Valentine’s dinner. (Think squid ink pasta, lobster tails, trout roe, classic caviar. . .) Info: 510.250.6007 or here
2/13: On Saturday of Valentine’s weekend, you can bring the whole family to explore edible herbs and flowers during a Valentine’s Day botanical walk and tea party at the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. Collect some fragrant edibles along the way, then create your own tea party snacks and garden drinks. Use pressed botanicals to make valentine cards and art to take home. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Two program times: 10am and 1pm. Cost: $20 adult, $18 child (includes garden admission). Info: here
2/14: If you’re in or near Union City on the big day at 6pm, you can celebrate with friends and neighbors at Niles Pie’s casual, communal Valentines or Not Dinner, a four-course meal with music. The menu features Monterey Bay seafood tart, organic winter salad with pickled veggies, wine-braised short ribs, vegetable hash, apple bread pudding, and more. Cost: $50. Info and reservations: here