Events
Cheese & Chocolate Dessert Challenge
Saturday: The Jewish Experience presents the 10th annual challenge pairing community home cooks with trained professionals to compete for the best gourmet kosher chocolate creation determined by a panel of celebrity judges and guests, 8 p.m. Tickets vary. Reservations required.
The Cupboard
Saturday: Karen Tack and Alan Richardson will discuss and sign their new cookbook, “Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My!,” 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Demonstrations included.
Frasca Food and Wine
Sunday:”Jr. Flatiron Chef Competition,” groups of young Boulder chefs compete in the kitchens of local restaurants, four-course dinner with wine pairings $65, reservations required. Proceeds benefit The Lunch Box; Monday: Steve Lewis presents the wines of Contratto (Italy) at the next weekly four-course dinner. $50 per person; wine pairings are an additional $30-$45. Reservations required. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-6966, frascafoodandwine.com
La Sandía Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
February:Hosting a Tamal Festival with seven regional tamales created by chef Richard Sandoval. 8419 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree, 303-586-5511
Radda Trattoria
Today: “An Evening With Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta,” family-style Tuscan dinner paired with wines of La Spinetta. $55, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required; Thursday: “5 year Anniversary Pig Roast,” 4-10 p.m. $25 per person. Reservations not required. 1265 Alpine Ave., Boulder, 303-442-6100, raddatrattoria.com
Russell’s Smokehouse
Thursday: “A Great Beer Dinner with Great Divide,” four-course dinner paired with Great Divide brews, 6:30 p.m. $45. Reservations required. 1422 Larimer St., 720-524-8050
Sparkling Wine/Champagne Tasting
Today:eb. 8 “A Tasting of All Things That Sparkle, Bubble & Go Pop,” 5:30-7:30 p.m. Appetizers included. $35. Reservations required. Strings, 1700 Humboldt St., stringsrestaurant.com
Benefits
PJ Day
Thursday: Annual fundraiser where local restaurants donate 10 percent of their sales to Denver’s Road Home to help the homeless. “PJ Day” serves as a reminder that not everyone has pajamas and a place to sleep at night. Visit the website for participating locations.
Classes
Almost Vegan Cooking School
Saturday: “Whole Grains,” 10 a.m.-noon. $39. Reservations required. 16504 E. Dorado Ave., Centennial, 303-699-8661, e-mail: almost vegancookingschool@gmail.com, almostvegancookingschool.com
Cake Crafts
Today-March 7: “Cake Decorating II,” 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, $85; Monday-March 5: “Gum Paste Flowers II,” 7-9 p.m. Mondays, $85. Reservations required. 4105 S. Broadway, Englewood, 303-761-1522, cakecrafts.net
Cañon City Queen Anne Tea House
Sunday: “The Art of Candy and Chocolate Making,” 2 p.m. $30, includes scones, devonshire cream and jam, tea, recipes, tips and take-home samples. Reservations required. 813 Macon Ave., Cañon City, 719-275-5354, e-mail: linda@thecanoncity queenanne.com; thecanoncity queenanne.com
Cook Street
Feb. 17: “One Night in Bordeaux,” 6-9:30 p.m. $89; Feb. 21: “Mardi Gras,” 6-9:30 p.m. $89. Reservations required. 1937 Market St., 303-308-9300, cookstreet.com
Kitchen Table Cooking School
Today: “Wheatless Wednesday: Viva Italia,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m $80; Sunday: “Teen Cuisine: Sharpen Your Wits,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80; Monday: “Fish 101,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80; Tuesday: “Baking with Altitude,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $80. Reservations required. 5375 Landmark Place, Suite 105, Greenwood Village, 303-220-9769, kitchentablegv.com
TAG University
Saturday: “Valentine’s Chocolate and Wine,” 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $75, includes three-course meal. Reservations required. 1441 Larimer St., 303-996-9985, tag-restaurant.com
Contests
California Strawberries
Deadline noon Friday:The California Strawberry Commission is celebrating Valentine’s Day and accepting submissions for “The Most Romantic Recipe Contest.” Must be 18 and older. Prizes awarded.
Mail items at least 10-14 days in advance to Food Calendar, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver CO 80202; fax 303-954-1679; e-mail living@ denver post.com.
Valentine’s Day celebrations
Arugula Bar e Ristorante
Tuesday: Five-course meal, $65, additional $25 for four optional wine pairings. Reservations required. 2785 Iris Ave., Boulder, 303-443-5100, arugularistorante.com
The Bitter Bar Tuesday:“Prix Fixe. Pairings. Parody.,” four-course dinner $45, with $40 optional drink pairing. Live jazz music and “craigslist missed connection readings.” Reservations recommended. 835 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-442-3050, thebitterbar.com
Bombay Clay Oven
Tuesday: “Kamasutra Lovers’ Dinner,” five-course meal. Reservations required. 165 Steele St., Cherry Creek North, 303-377-4454, bombayclayoven.com
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Tuesday: Special Valentine’s Day show of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes,” 6 p.m. dinner seating, 7:30 p.m. show. $52.50 per person. Additional $15 for two glasses of champagne and a red rose. Reservations required. 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown, 970-744-3747, coloradocandlelight.com
Cañon City Queen Anne Tea House
Sunday: “Daughter/Father Valentine’s Afternoon Lunch/Tea,” 1 p.m. $29.99 per couple; Monday: “Mother/Daughter, Son Valentine’s Afternoon Lunch/Tea,” noon, $29.99 per couple; Tuesday: fifth annual “Queen Anne Sweet Heart Valentine’s High Six-Course Dinner Tea,” 7 p.m. $99.99 per couple. Reservations required. 813 Macon Ave., Cañon City, 719-275-5354, e-mail: linda@thecanoncity queenanne.com; thecanoncityqueenanne.com
Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace
Tuesday: Five-course prix fixe menu for two, $40 per person. Additional $35 for optional drink pairing. Reservations required. 950 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-442-7771, centrolatinkitchen.com
Cherokee Ranch & Castle
Saturday: “Valentine’s Holiday Tea,” 2-4 p.m. $45, includes a one-hour castle tour. Reservations required. 6113 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, 303-688-4600
Community Art Center
Friday: The Lakewood Arts Council is hosting a “Vintage Valentine’s Tea,” 2-3:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Activities include arts and crafts, traditional tea and cakes. Reservations required. 85 S. Union Blvd., Lakewood, 303-980-0625, lakewoodartscouncil.org
The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar
Friday-Tuesday:“Valentine’s Day Dinner Special,” three-course meal, $90 per couple. A la carte and wine pairings also available. Reservations required. 1401 Curtis St., 303-825-6500, thecornerofficedenver.com
District Meats
Tuesday: A la carte specials in addition to regular menu, 4 p.m.-midnight. 1625 Wazee St., 303-623-1630, districtmeats.com
Downtown Aquarium
Friday, Saturday & Tuesday: “Romance Under-the-Sea Sweetheart Package” includes three-course meal, live music, two glasses of champagne, a rose, two Aquarium passes and a souvenir photo. $99.99 per couple. Reservations required. 700 Water St., 303-561-4450, aquariumrestaurants.com
Greenbriar Inn
Friday-Feb. 17: “Valentine’s Week Celebration” with extended hours and brunch. Reservations suggested. 8735 N. Foothills Highway, Boulder, 303-440-7979,
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar — Boulder
Tuesday: Four-course Valentine’s Tasting Menu, $55 per person, $20 optional wine pairing. Reservations recommended. 928 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-1811, jaxboulder.com
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar — Denver
Tuesday: Four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Dinner, $75 per person, $15 optional wine pairing. Reservations recommended. 1539 17th St., 303-292-5767, jaxdenver.com
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar – Fort Collins
Tuesday: Three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Dinner, $50 per person. Reservations recommended. 123 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970-682-2275, jaxfortcollins.com
Lola Coastal Mexican
Tuesday:Limited menu with additional specials or choose Chef’s Table in Belola, five-course dinner, 6:30 p.m. $65 per person with optional $25 cocktail pairing. Reservations recommended. 1575 Boulder St., 720-570-8686, loladenver.com
The Margarita at Pine Creek
Tuesday: Seven-course dinner with optional wine pairings, reservations 5-9 p.m. $60 per person. Reservations required. 7350 Pine Creek Road, Colorado Springs, 719-598-8667
Mirada Fine Art
Saturday: Chef Anad Chaturvedula from 240 Union prepares a gourmet dinner, 7 p.m. Three options: #1: dinner for two $185; #2: dinner with a piece of pre-selected art, dinner is free; #3: dinner with your Valentine’s choice of art, dinner is free. Reservations required. 5490 Parmalee Gulch Road, Indian Hills, 303-697-9006, e-mail info@miradafineart.com, miradafineart.com
Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Denver
Friday-Tuesday: Hosting a “Chocolate Lounge Valentine’s Weekend,” 7-11 p.m. Features four tasting stations of 20 chocolates from around the world along with champagne, port, red wines and dessert wines. $18 per station, $60 all stations. Reservations recommended. Additional dessert menu also offered. The Hyatt is also offering overnight packages. Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th St., 303-486-4433
Radda Trattoria
Tuesday: “San Valentino” Valentine’s Day dinner. $45, excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations required. 1265 Alpine Ave., Boulder, 303-442-6100, raddatrattoria.com
Rinn United Methodist Church
Saturday: “Valentine’s Day Spaghetti Dinner,” 5-7 p.m. Dinner along with appetizer, salad, french bread and dessert. $8, $5 children under 10. Dancing, card games and more follow. Reservations required. 3783 Bela Rosa Parkway, Frederick, 303-776-1578, 303-833-3001
Second Home Kitchen + Bar
Tuesday: Three-course meal, $65. $85 with wine pairings, $75 with beer pairings. Reservations required. Guests may warm up at the outdoor fireplace with complimentary s’mores. 150 Clayton Lane, 303-253-3000, secondhomedenver.com
TAG Restaurant
Tuesday: “Make Love — Not War!,” four-course dinner prepared by Chef Troy Guard. $69 dinner, $99 includes wine pairings. Reservations required. 1441 Larimer St., 303-996-9985, tag-restaurant.com
Tangerine
Tuesday: Three-course prix fixe meal, $44. Reservations required. 2777 Iris Ave., Boulder, 303-443-2333, tangerineboulder.com
Trillium
Tuesday: Multi-course dinner. $50, $75 includes wine pairings. Excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations recommended. 2134 Larimer St., 303-379-9759
Venga Venga Cantina & Tequila Bar
Friday-Tuesday: Chef Richard Sandoval has created a three-course Mexican menu for two. $45 per couple. 105 Daly Lane, Snowmass Village, 970-923-7777
West End Tavern
Tuesday:Seventh annual Beer Lovers Dinner, 6 p.m. $100 per person. Adam Avery has opened his own personal cellar to make the pairings for this dinner. Some of the beer featured on this menu will not be seen outside of Avery Brewing Company’s tap room or ever again. Reservations required. 926 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-3535, thewestendtavern.com
Wynkoop Brewing Co. & Impulse Theater
Tuesday:Four-course dinner, a rose, dessert chocolates, live music, two glasses of champagne and two tickets to Impulse Theater’s comedy show. 6-6:30 p.m. dinner seating, 8 p.m. show. $140 per couple, $70 per person, includes tax and gratuity. $25 show-only tickets. Reservations required. 1634 18th St., 303-297-2111 package and show, 303-297-2700 restaurant only, impulsetheater.com/vday
Zolo Southwestern Grill
Tuesday:Valentine’s Day specials with dinner menu also available. Live guitar music by Fransico Marques. Reservations recommended. 2525 Arapahoe St., Boulder, 303-449-0444, zologrill.com
