Feenie turns Cactus architect
It’s official: Rob Feenie has joined Cactus Restaurants Ltd. as the new “food concept architect”. Which means what? He’ll be working with management on product development and creating new dishes for the Cactus Club Cafe chain. No word on whether commercials will follow...

It’s lions and dumplings at the market
Follow the leader as the lion dances around Granville Island this Saturday (February 9) to celebrate Chinese New Year. Peel off as the procession winds into the Public Market to watch cooking demos of veal-and-pork dumplings, braised e-fu noodles with mushrooms, and yam-hazelnut wontons.

Sweet tarts and hearts
St. Valentine’s and chocolate are inextricably and stickily linked. We like the chocolate-pecan tart ($3.95) at Tartine Tarts (770 Beach Avenue), just right for two. Also, the heart-shaped chocolate ganache cake ($15) that will feed more, or individual heart-shaped sugar cookies ($2) and chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting ($2.25) to make lips slippery.

Valentine’s humbug
A happy singleton? Meet the like-minded at Love Bites, an anti-Valentine’s party at Nu (1661 Granville Street) on February 15. Your ticket ($39), on-line at www.whatisnu.com/ gets you a cocktail, nibbles, DJ’d music, and mingling.

Growlers to go
Can’t get enough of your favourite microbrew? No worries. A handful of Lower Mainland brewpubs—BigRidge, Dix, and Yaletown Brewing Company—have 64-ounce road-ready growlers filled with your fave quaff. The bottles are $5, yours to keep, and can be refilled for $10 at BigRidge ($7 Tuesdays), $12 at Dix, and $15 at Yaletown. Visit www.markjames group.com/ for more info.

Sipping for the sea
The Vancouver Aquarium’s Toast to the Coast fundraiser on February 15, features 10 B.C. wineries, five Ocean Wise restos, and a united commitment to the organization’s conservation programs. In on the action are restaurants like Sip and FigMint, and a slate of wineries including Mission Hill, Summerhill Pyramid, Lake Breeze, and Hester Creek Estate. Tickets are $65 at 604-659-3527 or at tickets.vanaqua.org/.

Brewing for singles
No squeeze, no problem; there are Valentine’s Day options for singles. Expect mostly solos at Just Here for the Beer’s Beer My Valentine’s chocolate-and-beer pairing do at Granville Island Brewing’s taproom. Tickets are $35 at www.justhereforthebeer.com/valentines.htm.

Fun lovin’
Forget the fancy-pants restos and go for rockin’ tunes, food, and fun at Bin 941, Bin 942, or Lolita’s where you’re obliged to snuggle, lips-to-ears, to be heard. Or simply cook. Finest at Sea (4675 Arbutus Street) has fresh crabs, mussels, oysters, and more, with cooking directions and complementary sauces. The rest of dinner, such as salads or crab cakes, is in the deli case.

Underground seasoning
Now officially open downstairs from Salt Tasting Room (45 Blood Alley) Salt Cellar serves the same yummy charcuterie, cheese, and condiments at one long 40-seat table. Prepare to share. Open noon to midnight daily.