It’s just three weeks until Valentine’s Day. I realized this not because I have the 14th circled with hearts on my calendar, but because I’m starting to get inundated with press releases announcing love-themed, sweetheart dinner specials. My favorite so far? The campy “Virginia is for Lovers” $45 prix fixe at the now-Southern-accented Marigold Kitchen.

Whatever your idea of a romantic dinner, remember that Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year. Make reservations now — and expect to give a credit card confirmation at many area restaurants that don’t usually ask for that guarantee.

It’s only January, but we’re already planning for a whole year’s worth of good eating. Check out our round up of the region’s tastiest annual events, from March’s Philly Beer Week (tickets to many events are on sale now) to the summer’s tributes to ice cream, BBQ and garlic. — Bridget Salmons

“Eat food.” Seemingly obvious, the first two words of author Michael Pollan’s new book In Defense of Food are actually a startlingly complex directive. Need proof: Try reading the ingredient list on the back of, well, almost anything in your pantry. Then ask yourself if you want to dine on those unpronounceables. For Pollan, whose Ominvore’s Dilemma made him a poster boy for the country’s increasing awareness of food politics, understanding food is an eater’s responsibility. Learn more when he discusses In Defense of Food at the Free Library on Thursday.

Jan 10th, Free (No tickets required), 7 p.m. Free Library of Philadelphia Central Library, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341

Image, us.penguingroup.com

If an elaborate dinner isn’t enough to mark the coming of the New Year, consider one of these 10 area restaurants, where dessert isn’t the last course. — Bridget Salmons

Alma de Cuba
If you like your food — and your dancing — spicy, enjoy one of Alma’s multiple dinner options before salsa dancing to the Latin music ensemble, La Creacion.
5 p.m. seating: three-course meal, $40.
7 p.m. seating: four-course meal, $60.
9 p.m. seating: five-course meal, $90.
8 p.m. to midnight: Dancing and a champagne toast, included with the $90 meal.

Cuba Libre
It’s Havana nights at Old City’s resident Cuban restaurant, with exotic sounds and eats.
Twilight Dinner: seating from 5 to 8:30pm, includes a 3-course meal, $32.
Late Dinner: seating at 9 and 9:30, includes a 4-course meal, champagne toast, favors and dancing, $150. For an extra $50, tack on the Late Night Bar package.
Late Night Bar: available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., open bar, hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight, and salsa dancing, $85.

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The December issue of Philly Mag gives you 67 ways to help others in How to Be a Better Philadelphian, but we’ve got a couple of ways you can be a better foodie. In addition to the great local non-profits highlighted in the current issue — from donating home-cooked meals to Aid for Friends, to volunteering as a guest chef at the Ronald McDonald House to buying from the Fair Food Farmstand — this month, food lovers can participate in the Menu for Hope, the food-blog world’s annual raffle to benefit the U.N. World Food Program.

Bonus: There’s a couple hundred amazing food prizes to be won. Locally, food blogger Philafoodie (aka Philly lawyer/wine educator David Snyder) has donated a two-class gift certificate to The Wine School of Philadelphia. Then there’s stuff that’s worth flying around the world for: A tour of the elBulli laboratory with Ferran Adrià, for instance.

Donate through December 21st at chezpim.com.

Image, chezpim.com