“Wine and Wishes” Tasting and Gala Dinner

More than 50 restaurants and wineries will join together Feb. 4 for the 11th annual “Wine and Wishes,” a benefit for the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The extravaganza, a fund-raiser for the organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, will take place at City View at the Metreon in downtown San Francisco.

The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with a “Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting,” where attendees can sample a slew of hors d’oeuvres and wines from from 23 restaurants and 26 wineries, including the Slanted Door in San Francisco, Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco and Cakebread Cellars.

At 7:30 p.m., nine local executive chefs — including Roland Passot of La Folie in San Francisco, Gerald Hirigoyen of Piperade in San Francisco and Arnold Eric Wong of E&O Trading Company in San Francisco — will prepare a four-course dinner, pairing each course with select wines.

Tickets for the “Gourmet Tasting” are $150 per person. Tickets for the dinner range from $350 to $1,000 per person, which includes admission to the” Gourmet Tasting.”

Time for “Martinis & Manicures”

Grab an after-work cocktail — and get your nails done. How’s that for the ultimate pampering?

Indulge in that two-fer, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 and March 6, at the Hotel Valencia at Santana Row in San Jose.

A signature martini and basic manicure is $20 per person.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling (408) 423-5405.  You must be at least 21 years old to attend.

Heart Healthy Cooking Classes

To commemorate February as “American Heart Month,” San Francisco Chef Phoebe Schilla will be teaching a series of “Heart Healthy Cuisine” classes this month, as well as a “Heart to Heart Valentine’s Day Cuisine” class on Feb. 14.

Twenty percent of proceeds from each of those classes will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Schilla studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and the Culinary Institute of America in New York. All classes are taught at her Studio of Good Living, 311 Benito Way in San Francisco.

“Heart Healthy Cuisine” is offered 6 p.m. to 9 p.m, Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 28. Learn how to make grilled chicken with persimmon salsa, edamame hummus, low-fat panna cotta and more. Price is $90 per person.

The Valentine’s class is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 14. That night’s menu will include non-alcoholic pomegranate sangria, cheddar and bacon mini souffles, and crepes Suzette. Price is $90 per person.

A Foie-Bulous Time

Foie gras will be showcased in every course at a special dinner Jan. 28 at Alexander’s Steakhouse in San Francisco.

Dishes will include “Foie Gras Dippin’ Dots with Gingerbread”; torchon of foie gras; and duck with crispy skin, foie gras and imperial roll.

The dinner, which will include wine pairings, is $150 per person.

All profits will benefit the Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming.