These area restaurants offer something special for Valentine's Day:

Friars Folly, San Marcos: Four-course meal for $32, seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Reserve to info@friarsfolly.com or call (760) 736-8035.

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego: Special menu served from 5-10 p.m. at the Veranda restaurant, $48. Reserve to (858) 675-8555.

New products

FEED YOUR HEAD: Kellogg's now offers trivia questions printed directly on its strawberry Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries, done with an edible ink and ink-jet technology. You can feed your kids and feed your head at the same time. Each 12-count box will have one of more than 200 questions and answers.

Events

FEBRUARY SPECIAL: Addison at the Grand Del Mar, Carmel Valley, offers an eight-course tasting menu for couples during February. Romantic Dinner for Two is $300 with paired wines; $180 without. Reserve to (858) 314-1900.

GRAPE BOWL: Carlsbad Wine Merchants and Sunset Coast Capital hosts the third annual Grape Bowl from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, featuring 25 of the top 100 wines of 2006! Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad. Tickets are $50. The event is at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE, (760) 929-3861 or (760) 729-0207, or visit www.grapebowl.com.

CHEESE TASTINGS: The Aniata Cheese Company, Flower Hill Promenade, 2710 Via de la Valle, #B-138, Del Mar offers these tastings from 2-4 p.m. Tastings are $8 or free for Aniata Club Members. Call (858) 847-9616 or visit www.aniata.com:

Feb. 10: "Cheeses from the Heart" - staff favorites.

Feb. 24: "Fun with Fondue and Raclette."

March 10: "Irish Cheeses" - artisan cheeses from The Emerald Isle.

March 24: "Many Shades of Blue" -- a sampling of blue cheeses.

Classes

PECHANGA TEACHES: Pechanga Resort & Casino hosts these "Chefs' Magic" culinary classes at 11:30 a.m. at Hummingbird Hall. Tickets for each class are $45. Call (951) 770-2507:

- Feb. 10: Valentine's Day Specialties.

- March 3: Eireann go Brach! Celtic Cuisine.

- April 7: Coastal Spa Cuisine.

VALENTINE'S DAY: Cookbook author and pastry chef Carole Bloom teaches "Chocolate Valentine's Day Indulgence" from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday in her Carlsbad home. Cost is $60. Reserve to (760) 931-5920 or visit www.carolebloom.com.

COOKING DEMO: Dr. Neil Barnard, author of "Reversing Diabetes," presents a free lecture and cooking demo at 7 p.m. Monday at the Radisson Hotel, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla. Reserve to (858) 453-5500.

HEALTHY COOKING: Pomerado Hospital hosts "Nutritious Super Star Foods for Dinnertime" with registered dietitian Halle Elbling from 5-6:15 p.m. Monday. Cost is $20. This cooking class will provide healthy recipes, cooking tips and advice on successful low-fat and low-sugar cooking at dinnertime to start your new year off right. Register to (858) 613-4164.

ALCHEMY SCHEDULE: Alchemy of the Hearth announces its new hands-on cooking classes, held through Escondido Adult School (San Pasqual High) or Poway Adult School (Rancho Bernardo High). Prices vary. Call Alchemy of the Hearth at (760) 745-6553 or visit www.alchemyofthehearth.com:

Feb. 1: Cooking with Your Kids

Feb. 6: Winter Comfort Foods

Feb. 26: Fondue

March 1: The Dinner Club

March 5: Tapas!

March 7: Fabulous Cakes

March 12: Sushi

March 20: The Baker's Hand

CAKE DESIGN CERTIFICATION: Palomar College offers three levels of Cake Design classes leading to a certificate. Cake Design I, Introduction to Cake Design, runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays from Feb. 5-March 26; $65 plus $30 materials fee. Cake Design II, Wedding Cakes, runs from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays from March 21-April 11; $90 plus $10 materials fee. Cake Design III, Special Event Cakes, runs from 7-9 p.m. Mondays from April 23-May 21; $120 plus $50 materials fee. Call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702, or visit venture.recware.

PALOMAR TEACHES: Palomar College offers these food and wine courses. Call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702, or visit venture.recware:

- The Art of Sushi Making 101 (all ages), 1-4 p.m. Feb. 4, $65 plus $25 fee.

- Sushi Making 102 (all ages), noon-3:30 p.m. April 15, $65 plus $25 fee.

- Japanese Cuisine for Beginners (all ages), 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 11, $55 plus $20 fee.

- Japanese Market Tour and Tutorial, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 6, $25 plus $15 for lunch and $5 fee.

- Wine Tasting 101, Wine Appreciation, 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 12-March 5, $99 plus $25 fee. Bring two wine glasses.

- Wine Tasting 102, Expert Wine and Food Pairing, 6:30-9 p.m. Mondays, April 16-May 7, $99 plus $25 fee. Bring two wine glasses.

- Cake Decorating for Fun and Profit, Beginning, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 5-March 26, $65.

ESCONDIDO TEACHES: The city of Escondido offers these recreation classes. Register to (760) 839-4691 or visit www.escondido.org/recreation:

- The Fondue Party, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, $25 plus $25 fee.

- Valentine's Day Desserts, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 5, $25 plus $25 fee.

- Tapas From Spain, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 5, $25 plus $25 fee.

In the spirits

BEER TASTING: Holiday Wine Cellars hosts a beer tasting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday. Eight four-ounce glasses for $15, and you keep your glass. The store is at 302 W. Mission Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 745-1200 or visit holidaywinecellar.com.

WINESTYLES TASTINGS: WineStyles offers tastings for a fee from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 4-6 p.m. Saturdays at 191 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Call (760) 633-0057 or visit www.winestyles.net/encinitas:

4-6 p.m. Saturday: Enough Chardonnay Bashing! $15.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 4-6 p.m. Feb. 3: Que Syrah, Shiraz! $15.

WINE COMPANY TASTINGS: The North County Wine Company hosts wine tastings daily at 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus these special events. Call (760) 744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com:

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday: "Let's Go To Italy"

WEEKLY TASTING: Wine Street Inc. hosts tastings from 5:30-8 p.m. Fridays. Appetizers to match are served. Wine Street is at 6986 El Camino Real, Suite D, in Carlsbad. Call (760) 431-8455 or visit www.winestreet.com:

Friday: Australian wines: Shirvington, Rusden, Schild Estate, $20.

Feb. 2: New releases, $20.

Feb. 9: Champagne for Valentine's, $25.

WINE TASTING: Carlsbad Wine Merchants hosts tastings at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for a small fee at 5814 Van Allen Way, Suite 155, Carlsbad. Call (888) 750-WINE or visit www.CarlsbadWineMerchants.com:

6-8 p.m. tonight: Sensory Analysis Seminar with Riedel Glassware. Learn to taste wine like an expert! Our sommelier, Debra deFarcy, and Riedel's Tammie Ward will conduct this seminar with reserve wines from Raymond Winery. Participants will keep their set of four Riedel Vinum wine glasses. Fee: $80. R.S.V.P. requested.

Friday and Sunday: "Peoples Choice" - taste the best sellers from our wine selection for 2006! Friday night as a prelude to the Grape Bowl on Saturday (see Events) we will have a selection of our best sellers available for tasting. $10.

WINE EVENTS: The Wine Loft at the Carlsbad Forum offers tastings from 1-4 p.m. unless otherwise noted at 1911 Calle Barcelona, Suite 151. Call (760) 944-1412 or visit www.thewineloft-carlsbad.com.

WINE TASTING: Wild Note Cafe hosts Wine Wednesday tastings monthly. Call (858) 259-7310 for cost and schedule.

Now open

California Bistro at the Four Seasons Aviara is now serving Sunday brunch. A pastry station, a dim sum station and a ceviche station are being added, and diners can still enjoy favorites such as champagne cocktails, a raw bar, and Bistro entree specialties, plus the chocolate fountain and dessert display, and new offerings from Chef Pierre Albaladejo and his team. The buffet arrangement will now extend through the entire dining room. Price is $58 per person and includes champagne; $25 for ages 5-12 (but no champagne for the little ones). The restaurant is at the Four Seasons Aviara resort, 7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad. Call (760) 603-6800.

Chain news

Olive Garden will add Five Cheese Stuffed Rigatoni with Chicken and Five Cheese Stuffed Rigatoni with Sausage to its menu as a special promotion through Feb. 11. … Wendy's teams with Curves gyms to offer customers three ways to eat well: Bring a Wendy's cash register receipt showing purchase of an entree salad to any Curves to get a free two-week trial membership; Curves will distribute reloadable Wendy's Salad Gift Cards to 1 million members in special Member Appreciation Bags; or pick up a coupon for $1 off a Wendy's entree salad and drink from the display at Curves fitness centers. … McDonald's introduces a Honey Mustard Snack Wrap with grilled chicken, topped with cheddar jack cheese, lettuce and honey mustard sauce, wrapped in a soft flour tortilla; and a Salsa Roja Snack Wrap with a spicy sauce, each with 16 grams of protein. They're available starting Tuesday for $1.29 each. … Burger King introduces a BK Breakfast Value Menu nationwide on Feb. 19 with 10 offerings starting at $1 each: the new Hamlette Sandwich, Cheesy Tots, three-piece French Toast Sticks, Sausage Biscuit,

small Hash Browns, Cini-minis, small BK Joe coffee, white or chocolate 10-ounce milk, 16-ounce soft drink and orange juice. Cheesy Tots will be available all day.

- Send information about local food products, food events or classes to Food Editor, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania, Escondido, CA 92025, fax to (760) 745-3769, or e-mail to features@nctimes.com.