Hello Young Lovers Wherever You Are!
By now, I am sure you are deep into planning a romantic night or getaway to wow your sweetie this Valentine’s Day. As a single guy, I am usually a bit “bah humbug” about the day of love but thankfully most of you are not, and since February 14th falls on a Saturday, our clients are expecting a big weekend full of deliciousness. This year, at af&co., we plan to celebrate love the whole month and I will be offering free hugs to anyone who wants one❤️. So despite planning to spend my Valentine’s Day in my favorite Barry’s Bootcamp class (a little self-love for me), I will embrace all the wonders of romance and the potential of love in the coming year.
When did you first discover you could love? Let’s talk about first crushes – as I know we have all had them. If you will indulge me, let me take you back to a simpler time in life when I fell in love for the first time. The year was 1970. I was eight years old and eagerly preparing for my first day of third grade. Each year, the first day of school always meant a new outfit. This year, my mom and I decided to pay tribute to the times. We settled on a pair of grey corduroy slacks for husky boys (yep, but that’s another story), a white turtleneck and a gorgeous black Nehru jacket. The final touch was a silver peace sign necklace. Yes, I knew I might be overdressed (and get made fun of by the other boys) but my mom had insisted that I needed to make a statement on arrival to stand out (which is a rule I live by to this day).
I arrived at class that balmy September morning (I remember this as I was sweating profusely due to the turtleneck) and met my new teacher Miss Gray. And when she complimented me on my style, I fell hard. Miss Gray was stunning. She had dark brown hair that she wore in a simple flip (think Marlo Thomas in That Girl) and an understated style that I admired immediately. She was in a tan and brown checked pantsuit that suited her well and had a smile that melted my heart in an instant. It was love at first sight and from then on I had one mission – I was going to be Miss Gray’s teacher’s pet.
Over the course of the school year, I studied hard, raised my hand to answer all of her questions, and always volunteered to stay after class to help with extra credit projects. I became borderline obsessed (there was a lot of eye rolling from the other kids but I could care less. I was in love). Looking back, I am sure Miss Gray was aware of my admiration but she kept me in check. One day right before Christmas break, I finally got up the nerve to ask Miss Gray on a date and invited her to my house for lunch. Back then, we got to go home for lunch. I almost fell on the floor when she said yes! I raced home and told my mom and we began the menu planning. (Yes, my mom had agreed to be the chaperone for our date).
We landed on a lovely iceberg lettuce salad with a scoop of my mom’s famous tuna salad and chocolate chip cookies (still my go-to desk lunch to this day). The day arrived and man was I nervous. I insisted that we use the formal dining room and the good china. Mom thought I was being a bit over the top but indulged me. The three of us chatted about TV, my brother, our dog TJ, and so much more. It honestly couldn’t have gone better. This was truly my first successful date.
The love affair continued all year (though I never knew and still do not know what Miss Gray’s first name was) until all my hopes and dreams came crashing down. At the Spring Assembly following my breakout performance as “The Mighty Germ” in a self-penned piece on how to stay healthy – Miss Gray (or Mrs. Gray) introduced me to her husband!! To say I was devastated was an understatement. I drowned myself in yodels and ring dings that night.
The school year came to a close and Miss Gray and I both moved on. The next year, I met my fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Shoop, and a new, much more complicated crush began! I will save this story for another edition.
Here’s to love, first crushes and everything that comes with them. I am a lucky guy. I have a family, many friends and an awesome team that I love and I know they love me in return. And then I have my little furry love muffin, Dolly, who gives me more unconditional love than I can handle.
So stop reading this and go give someone a hug. Seriously, go hug someone right now! Then come back and read on for all the wonderful things we love this month – delicious happenings, events, new partners, and so much more. You won’t want to miss a thing!
XOXO
– Andrew & the af&co. team
VALENTINE’S DAY DINING
San Francisco
San Francisco is stacked with Valentine’s Day options this year, whether you’re planning a big night out or something more casual. In Union Square, Chotto Matte is going all out with a seven-course Valentine’s menu, optional sake pairing, world-class cocktails, and live music with a violinist and DJ for a candlelit evening. Nearby, Rise Over Run at the Timbri Hotel offers stunning rooftop views, Mediterranean-inspired bites, and cocktails in both its outdoor terrace and indoor solarium all weekend long.
For a moodier, food-forward date night, Barcha sets the tone with a candlelit dining room and a shareable Valentine’s menu featuring mezze, hearty mains, and classic desserts, best enjoyed with a glass of Champagne. Trestle keeps things timeless and cozy with a refined four-course prix-fixe menu highlighting dishes like lobster bisque, handmade pastas, and indulgent desserts, while Palio leans into old-school romance with a special S. Valentino prix-fixe menu in a dimly lit Italian dining room.
If you’re keeping it a bit more laid back, Sunset Cantina out in the Sunset District is skipping the prix-fixe and offering The Lovebird cocktail all weekend alongside margaritas and Mexican bites in their lively neighborhood atmosphere. Canela Bistro Bar will be serving a Valentine’s prix-fixe menu from February 13–15 alongside its regular tapas menu.
East Bay
The East Bay brings a mix of elegance and flexibility for Valentine’s weekend. In Oakland, MAMA Oakland is offering a four-course prix-fixe menu that includes dishes like Dungeness crab, signature pastas, and decadent desserts, designed for a classic date night experience. Also in Oakland, Parche is keeping things versatile with a mix of prix-fixe dining and à la carte options throughout the weekend, plus festive cocktails and special dishes available on select nights. Meanwhile, their sister restaurant, Jaji, is offering a four-course Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu with dishes inspired by Afghan flavors and meant to be shared with your loved one. For those looking to celebrate with their gals, Jaji is also hosting a “Spill the Tea” Galentine’s Day dinner with complimentary henna, belly dancing, and our cheeky confessionals! Head to Otto’s Uptown Kitchen for a three-course prix fixe menu featuring a selection of seasonal dishes, including a bottle of sparkling wine for each table.
Over in Walnut Creek, Sipeos is transforming into a Valentine’s destination with a shared prix-fixe dinner for two. The experience includes an appetizer to share, two entrées, two drinks, and a shared dessert, all set inside one of the East Bay’s most beautiful dining rooms.
Silicon Valley
In Sunnyvale, TETRA Hotel is offering a Romance Package with a dining credit and welcome bottle of wine, while Adrestia & Nokori are hosting a Valentine’s prix-fixe dinner with optional dessert and drink pairing from Nokori, plus a signature candle or chocolate with each reservation.
In Palo Alto, Hotel Citrine’s Romance Package includes breakfast for two, chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling wine, valet parking, and late checkout. Downstairs, Wild Onion Bistro & Bar is celebrating with a four-course Valentine’s dinner featuring scallop crudo, lobster tail, filet, and strawberry mascarpone pavlova, with optional wine pairings and roses at each table.
Meyhouse is celebrating Valentine’s Day at both its Palo Alto and Sunnyvale locations with a family-style dinner for two featuring shared meze, mains, and dessert. At the Palo Alto location, guests can also book Meyhouse Jazz for a special prix-fixe dinner paired with a live jazz performance throughout the weekend.
Sushi Roku in Palo Alto is offering a special Valentine’s Day Izakaya Feast, a luxe multi-course experience designed for sharing with highlights like Ocean Carpaccio with scallop, uni, and ikura; Chu-toro and Tai nigiri; a decadent Surf & Turf Roll topped with wagyu, uni, and black truffle; Wagyu Ishiyaki; and a Chocolate Bomb paired with a mini Oreo cheesecake. Macarena is skipping a prix-fixe menu and offering a limited-edition dessert and Valentine’s cocktail available all month, best enjoyed indoors or on the new outdoor terrace.
In downtown San Jose, Poppy & Claro is running Valentine’s cocktail specials all week long, and non-alcoholic refreshers all week until the 13th, perfect for a post-work happy hour of Galentine’s Day celebration. Alter Ego Cocktail Club is serving a four-course Valentine’s prix-fixe menu on February 13 and 14, Paper Plane is offering a prime rib dinner special both nights on a first come, first served basis, and MINIBOSS is leaning playful with themed cocktails, games, rom-coms, and anti-love pop anthems all weekend long. EOS & NYX rounds out the weekend with Valentine’s brunch with a build-your-own bouquet station and dinner prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairings.
Wine Country
Valentine’s Day in the North Bay leans into wine country romance with plenty of ways to celebrate. In Healdsburg, Bistro Lagniappe offers a flexible Valentine’s weekend menu with three-course options Friday and Saturday, a relaxed family-style menu on Sunday, and walk-in bar seating all weekend. Little Saint brings Valentine’s Day together with a chef-driven prix-fixe dinner followed by a dance party featuring DJ sets, rom-com projections, and late-night vibes.
For something easy and fun, Martha Stoumen Wines is pouring a Post Flirtation wine flight through February 15, perfect for a casual date or happy hour. Meanwhile, Clementine in Yountville adds a four-course Valentine’s prix-fixe menu plus champagne specials during brunch service. Saddle up for a Galentine’s night to remember at The Country Club at Estate Yountville on February 13, with cowboy bite and line dancing lessons included.
If you’re turning Valentine’s into a getaway, Silverado Resort is offering a Romance in the Valley package with sparkling rosé, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a resort credit, while Roman Spa Hot Spring Resort pairs geothermal pools with champagne, cheese, and a two-night weekend stay. In Calistoga, Eight North rounds things out with a three-course Valentine’s prix-fixe menu and optional wine pairing on February 13 and 14.
Tomorrow! | Love Bites at the Ferry Building
On Thursday, February 12 from 5:00PM – 7:30PM, the best of the Ferry Building is at your fingertips with their annual Love Bites! event. Enjoy an amor-filled evening of gourmet bites from Ferry Building merchants, wine tastings from twenty Napa Valley Vintners, music and art activities celebrating the love of San Francisco. Although advanced tickets are sold out, walk-up tickets will be available at a limited quantity, so be sure to arrive early if you would like to attend!
The event proceeds benefit Foodwise, the nonprofit operator of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and education programs for eaters of all ages.
📅 Thursday, February 12 | 5:00PM – 7:30PM
📍 Ferry Building
Let’s Collab | Canela & Friends Kicks Off with Parche
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Canela Bistro Bar is excited to announce its new year-long collaboration series, Canela & Friends, with a one-night kickoff event on Thursday, February 19 featuring a guest takeover by Chef Paul Iglesias of Parche in Oakland with his limited time menu running through February 22.
Canela & Friends is a monthly collaboration series celebrating creativity, cultural exchange, and community. Each month throughout 2026, Chef Mat Schuster will partner with a different chef, artisan, or local maker to co-create a limited-time dish, cocktail, or experience. These pairings incorporate Canela’s Spanish foundation with global influences, offering guests an ongoing reason to return and discover something new.
The series opens in February with Chef Paul Iglesias, bringing Parche’s Colombian cultural ties into Canela’s kitchen and bar program. Together, Chefs Mat and Paul have developed a specialty menu that nods to Parche favorites and Canela classics, paying homage to when Chef Paul got his start at Canela.
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 5:30PM – 7:30PM
📍 Canela Bistro Bar
🪑 Reserve your spot here
10 Days of Dining Deals & Events | Taste Tri-Valley
Visit Tri-Valley is gearing up to host Taste Tri-Valley, 10 days of flavor-packed dining deals, exclusive menus, and can’t-miss foodie events. The celebration includes an Opening Dinner at Pippal in Dublin and concludes with a festive Finale Cocktail Party at Pivot Craft Kitchen & Sports Bar in Pleasanton, all highlighting the Tri-Valley’s diverse culinary scene, from Michelin-recognized dining and local gems to award-winning wineries, all in support of a great cause.
🍽️ Opening Dinner at Pippal | February 19 | Tickets here
📅 Restaurant Week | February 20 – March 1 | Sign up for updates here
🍸 Finale Cocktail Party at Pivot Craft Kitchen & Sports Bar | February 27 | Tickets here
Celebration Week | Fitoor Santa Monica’s 1-Year Anniversary
Fitoor Santa Monica, an eclectic, lively Indian Grill & Lounge imagined by Rivaaz Hospitality, will be celebrating their one year anniversary with a full week of exciting programming including champagne toasts, belly dancing tutorials, live music and a finale at LA’s largest Holi celebration, Holi & The Beach.
The team is looking forward to celebrating one year in Santa Monica by showing love to the community that has supported the restaurant throughout this year. The week will showcase the best of Fitoor’s food and beverage offerings, while lighting the atmosphere ideal for celebrations, family and friend gatherings and fine dining occasions.
📅 March 2 – March 7
🍴 Make your reservation HERE
Save the Date | Visit Oakland Restaurant Week
Be sure to save the dates for this 10-day feast of global flavors, featuring more than 140 restaurants, from cultural concepts to MICHELIN-recommended spots, showcasing Oakland’s diverse culinary scene during its annual Restaurant Week. Named the #1 Best Food City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler in 2024 and 2025, Oakland invites you to explore exclusive menus, special offers, and unique activations that celebrate its vibrant culture and cuisine.
From Jack London Square and Temescal to Uptown and Fruitvale, Oakland Restaurant Week highlights the city’s top foodie hotspots!
📅 March 12 – 22
👉 Additional details HERE
NEW PARTNER ALERT!
We are pleased to announce our newest partner, Flavors of the Peninsula!
Flavors of the Peninsula is a 10-day restaurant celebration featuring prix-fixe menus throughout the Peninsula. Scheduled for late April through early May 2026, the event will showcase restaurants throughout San Mateo County, from Bayside dining destinations to Coastside culinary standouts. Participating restaurants will offer specially curated menus, making the Peninsula’s culinary excellence accessible to both residents and visitors across multiple price points.