Sandtastic February
Sat., Feb. 4, 5 p.m., no cover
While everyone else is gearing up for Valentine's Day, Orchard chef James Howard is slathering on the sunblock. As part of a Dead of Winter celebration, Howard has invited sand sculptor Chuck Feld to transform the front of the Orchard into a gigantic two-story sand castle. The inside dining room is getting a makeover as well, and will be turned into a wall-to-wall sandbox with a second sand castle in the middle. Folks are invited to check out the sculptures, and if they like, stick around for the Orchard's award-winning venison osso buso and swordfish provencal. Dead of Winter Celebration, The Orchard, 503 Orchard Ave., Kennett Square, 610-388-1100.

Ooey-Gooey Goodness
Sat.-Sun., Feb. 4-5, 1-5 p.m., free
Philadelphia's finest candy connoisseurs will descend upon the ice rink for a weekend's worth of chocolate cooking demos, face-painting, cupcake stacking and more. Learn to make petit fours from Brûlée chef Jemal Edwards, sample chocolate treats, participate in a chocolate-chip cookie eating contest and paint your lips with chocolate for a special card-sealing kiss. It doesn't get any sweeter than that. Chocolate Festival Weekend, Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Market St., 215-925-RINK, www.riverrink.com.

Only Foo Falls in Love
Tue., Feb. 14, $75
Hoping to get a head start on your amorous V-Day plans? Susanna Foo has just the thing for the romantically inclined gastronome this year with her French-Asian fusion cuisine. The three-course meal offers choices such as lobster dumplings with emulsified coconut-lobster sauce, tea-smoked Peking duck breast with cranberry relish, and sizzling whole striped bass with caramelized sweet-and-sour sauce. Valentine's Day Dinner, Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine, 1512 Walnut St., 215-545-2666.

Party Mouth
Tue., Feb. 14, $70
Owner Athmane Kabir of La Boheme has named the menu of his Valentine's Day dinner "Amuse Bouche." For all you unilingual peeps, Babelfish.com translates that as "the amused mouth." So what's on the menu for your mouth's amusement? The five-course lineup includes such highlights as lamb navarin "Orientalle" with bacon brochette and red wine and truffle jus, as well as hearts of celery with Roquefort mousse and black truffle vinaigrette. Dinner comes with a complimentary glass of champagne. Ooo la la. Valentine's Day Dinner, La Boheme, 246 S. 11th St., 215-351-9901.

Do It Like the French Do It
Tue., Feb. 14, $55
Saint Tropes was a martyr who was beheaded and thrown into a river. The Philly restaurant, Bistro St. Tropez, however, is named after the town in the Riviera region of France and is just as romantic. Their Valentine's menu is a four-course affair with such items as a ginger and lime shrimp cocktail, duet of fire-grilled filet mignon and jumbo prawns, and fresh raspberries with banana mousse. Astute Casanovas will take advantage of the roses and guitar serenades being offered to dining couples. Evening of Lovers, Bistro St. Tropez, 2400 Market St., 215-569-9269.