Valentine’s events, new restaurants, pop-up museums and more… Check out the top San Diego weekend events for February 14-17.

Edited by Jordan Fraser.

EVENTS

Museum of What Love Tour
Opens Feb. 14. Live, laugh and love your way through this non-traditional pop-up museum comprising blissful exhibits designed to inspire and uplift. Make sandcastles with your best friend, jump into the “love nest” with your sweetheart, take the faux flamingos for a walk, attach a special lock of love to a Parisian fence and experience many other captivating displays that encourage you to feel, smell, touch and listen. $24 adults, $15 children ages 4-12, children 3 and younger are free. 220 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. museumofwhat.com

 

5K Paw Walk in the Garden
Feb. 16. For this special occasion 5K walk dogs (and their people) are allowed in the 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden. There will also be pet products, treats for people and dogs, educational information for dog lovers and dogs available for adoption. In partnership with Rancho Coastal Humane Society, this walk raises funds that support people, plants and animals. 8 a.m.-noon. $14-$32. San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. sdbgarden.org

 

 

Chinese New Year Fair
Feb. 16-17. Welcome the Year of the Pig at this celebration that includes live performances, children’s crafts, a lantern parade and a variety of Chinese and Asian foods and cultural plays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Third Ave. and J St., downtown. sdcny.org

 

 

 

VALENTINE’S DAY

Bleu Bohème
Feb. 14. Valentines can say, “je t’aime,” to one another with a romantic three-course Saint Valentin dinner. Hors d’oeuvres options include steak carpaccio, crêpe de homard and salade de canard. For entrees, choose between saumon Oscar, coquilles St. Jacques and more. End things on a sweet note with crème brulée, gâteau aux trois fromages, pain d’épice or gateau au chocolat. 4-9 p.m. $75. 4090 Adams Ave., Kensington, 619.255.4167. bleuboheme.com  

 

 

Curadero’s “Dinner for Two”
Feb. 14. Pair up for bold flavors and creative drinks at this downtown Mexican restaurant. For Valentine’s Day, Curadero is offering “Dinner for Two,” a multi-course menu from Chef Brad Kraten complete with cocktail pairings from bartender Alex Gregg. Start with a selection of Antojitos, or small plates, like butternut squash flautas or ceviche mixto. Larger plates to share include market fish poached in a tangy tomato broth, and carne asada and roasted zucchini with nopal, corn, grilled onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, crème and queso fresco. $100 per couple. Hotel Palomar, 1047 Fifth Ave., downtown, 619.515.3003. curadero.com

 

Juniper and Ivy
Feb. 14. For a fine dining experience with imaginative takes on classic Southern California flavors Executive Chef Anthony Wells has curated a four-course prix-fixe menu. Start fresh with oysters and Champagne jello before indulging in the mushroom bolognese with egg yolk fettucine, roasted garlic, and parmesan. Finish off with the signature Yodel dessert with strawberry chocolate, frozen cream and vanilla crumble. Optional wine pairings will also be available for those looking for the ultimate V-Day “cheers.” 5-10 p.m. $115, additional $60-$70 for wine pairings. 2228 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy, 619.269.9036. juniperandivy.com

 

Partner Dancing at Moonshine Flats
Feb. 14. Dance the night away with Moonshine Flats’ lineup of partner line-dances especially for Valentine’s Day. All levels of dance are welcome, whether you’re a two-step pro or new to the dance floor. Dance old favorites and learn some new ones while enjoying $5 drink specials. Plus, enter the Valentine’s raffle for a chance to win Stagecoach tickets. 344 Seventh Ave., downtown, 619.255.7625. moonshineflats.com

 

 

Stoplight Singles Mixer
Feb. 15. Mix and mingle with music and karaoke and get a jump start on finding next year’s Valentine. At check-in, sign up for a badge related to your relationship status: green for singles, yellow for anyone who thinks it’s complicated or red to signify you’re in a relationship. No matter what color you’re wearing, you can enjoy the music and drink specials. 8 p.m.-midnight. Free. Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., North Park. lafayettehotelsd.com

 

 

For lots more Valentine’s weekend happenings, be sure to check out our complete guide to where to celebrate Valentine’s Day in San Diego.

 

FOOD + DRINK

Pacifica Del Mar’s 30th Anniversary Tasting Menu
Now Available. Del Mar Plaza’s anchor restaurant celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special seasonal tasting menu showcasing s variety of small plates from Chef and Partner Chris Idso. First course options include hamachi carpaccio with pickled bean sprouts, yellow pepper coulis, shaved radish and kazami wasabi, and blue lump crab cake. Move on to the second course and choose between plates like Zinfandel braised short rib and seared Atlantic sea scallops with heirloom cauliflower, cauliflower puree and pickled raisins. Must be ordered before 6 p.m. $30 for three tastes. 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.792.0476. pacificadelmar.com  

 

Toast Gastrobrunch
Now Open. Wake up with clever breakfast and lunch fare at North County’s newest brunch hot spot. Signature dishes include everything from smoked brisket hash to pistachio shredded toast to Eggs in Purgatory; a sourdough bread bowl cradling poached eggs in a spicy shashuska sauce, mushrooms, bacon, feta, scallions and mint. Toast also offers a wide selection of breakfast cocktails including Flaming Coffee, a rich intermingling of coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and fire. 5970 Avenida Encinas,  760.438.1212. toastgastrobrunch.com

 

Salt & Straw’s “Chocolatier” Flavor Series
Through Feb. 28. Satisfy your sweet tooth with this variety of taste-provoking flavors highlighting the nuances of each chocolatier and chocolate. Each flavor is prepared by hand in small batches, including Eclipse’s Cardamom Rose Chocolate, Milla’s Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, Ococoa’s Sesame Fig Buttercups, Compartes’ Coffee & Love Nuts and Nibble’s 85% Peruvian Chocolate Sorbet. Daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 1670 India St., Little Italy, 619.542.9394. saltandstraw.com

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Somebody to Love
Feb. 14. Go on a multi-sensory journey at this mixed-media event that features the powerful music of Queen, with the visual element of dance. Renowned ballet dancer and San Diego local Kirsten Bloom Allen teams up with vocalist and America’s Got Talent finalist Brian Justin Crum to fuse music and dance into this special presentation to promote their unifying message on the official day of love. 7 p.m. $67-$100. Music Box, 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.795.1337. musicboxsd.com

 

 

San Diego Theatre Week
Feb. 14-24. More than 30 San Diego performing arts organizations come together to promote and celebrate the vast array of performing arts in the city through a variety of special promotions. Tickets to participating performances will be offered at $15, $30 and $45 levels. Participating theaters include Point Loma Playhouse, National Comedy Theatre, Lyceum Theatre and many more. See website for show times and locations. sandiegotheatreweek.com

 

 

Aubergine
Through Feb. 17. Get a real appreciation for the healing power of food as this unforgettable story of love and family unfolds around Ray, a gourmet chef who must prepare a secret family recipe to save his father, and his uncle who unexpectedly arrived from Korea. When words fail, a home-cooked meal transcends cultural differences and language barriers in this touching story of intergenerational connectedness and forgiveness. See website for show times and ticket prices. San Diego Repertory at Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000. sdrep.org

 

 

Photos: Museum of What Love Tour courtesy Wacker PR. Stoplight Singles Mixer by Jorg Photo. Chinese New Year Fair courtesy Chinese New Year Fair. 5K Paw Walk in the Garden courtesy San Diego Botanic Garden. Valentine’s Day and Patisserie Melanie’s One Year Anniversary courtesy Chemistry PR. Bleu Boheme courtesy Wicked Creative. Juniper and Ivy courtesy Juniper and Ivy. Moonshine Flats courtesy Katalyst PR. Veranda Fireside Lounge courtesy J Public Relations. Salt & Straw courtesy Becca PR. Pacifica Del Mar and Curadero courtesy Nth Element. Toast Gastrobrunch by Crave Imagery. Somebody to Love courtesy Crowe PR. San Diego Theatre Week courtesy San Diego Theatre Week. Aubergine by Peggy Kim.

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