Q: Sometimes I find Valentine’s Day a little too cliché. Any off-the-beaten path suggestions?
Tom: A few! This Saturday at The People’s Market / Elizabeth, mixologist Bob Peters will hold his annual “Anti-Valentines” free cocktail class “crafting cocktails that defy conventional notions of love.” The class starts at 2:30 p.m., but it’s good to go early and grab a bite before it starts. His classes usually fill up in a hurry, this one in particular. Spend Valentine’s Day cooking for each other at The Foodie School’s “Be My Valentine: cooking class in Ft. Mill. In what’s become an alternative Valentine’s Day tradition, the Waffle House on Woodland Beaver Rd in East Charlotte and the one Vinehaven Drive in Concord are the two locations in the area taking booth reservations for Valentine’s Day as part of the chain’s nationwide promotion.

Q: How about some love for the north part of Mecklenburg County? Anything cool happening in Huntersville?
Tom: There have been a bit of North Meck shoutouts on our UP pages lately. Here’s are a few more things you can look forward to. The re-themed Fin & Fino / Huntersville (formerly Dressler’s) is slated to open by the end of February (give or take). B&K Tea Café has signed the papers and expects to open its Huntersville boba spot (its fourth location) in late Spring. The Napa-on-Providence folks will be setting up shop in the new Birkdale Place development which has just broken ground.

Q: Do you know anything about this year’s Vietnamese Tết Festival? I haven’t heard a thing.
Tom: We had to dig around too — and just in time. It’s this Saturday, February 10. It’s runs 2-8 p.m. at the Oasis Shriners temple in the University area. Looks like a good time. The Vietnamese Association of Charlotte will be celebrating The Year of the Dragon with a number of Vietnamese food stalls, activities, presentations, music, and more. If you go, let us know how you liked it.