New York Dining Deals and Events February 13-19

Grub at Zengo 

By Leigh Crandall

Monday

Alias hosts their “Monday Night Dinner Party” at 7:30 PM, a pop-up event of sorts when the LES restaurant opens its kitchen to guest chefs. Polish fare is on the menu tonight, with Paulina Pobocha and Greg Olliver teaming up with Alias head chef Marcellus Coleman to prepare traditional dishes like borscht, pierogi and paprikasz. The evening costs $40 and reservations can be made by calling 212-505-5011.

Tuesday

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re on the hunt for couples-friendly dining, take a look at surveyors’ picks for the city’s most romantic restaurants. On your own? Here’s our list of top spots to meet other singles.

Wednesday

Richard Sandoval’s Pan-Latin eatery Zengo sees a new “Shanghai-São Paulo” menu start today, with creative takes on Chinese and Brazilian fare (pork and crab soup dumplings or Picanha steak and king crab, for example) paired alongside new cocktails. See the complete menu - available through March 31 - here.

Thursday

Get into the President’s Day spirit at the 92Y, which hosts “Washington & Lincoln’s Dinner Table” tonight at 7 PM. Culinary historian Francine Segan will walk guests through the tasting, which includes presidential favorites of yore like chicken fricassee, succotash and johnny cakes. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.

Friday

Spice up your Friday night at The Institute of Culinary Education, which hosts a chili-centric cooking class tonight from 6-10:30 PM. Students will learn to make Southwestern fare like frito pie, chile rellenos, New Mexico cheeseburger sliders and more. Tuition is $115 - reserve your seat here.

Saturday

The Astor Center hosts the Eighth Annual Natural Wine Event from 3-6 PM today. Oenophiles can taste 20 wines for $20, and mix and mingle with the winemakers who created them.

Sunday

End your weekend with a bargain at 508 Gastrobrewery in Hudson Square. From 5:30-7:30 PM, guests at the bar get three menu items like beef brisket sliders, housemade wild boar sausage or roasted duck empanadas and unlimited brews for $39.