Happy Year of the Rat!

Check out these 7 things—all happening this week.

1. You calling me fat?: Fat Tuesday’s today, so join in the debauchery at Townhall and then plan your 40 days of meat-free living. For inspiration, check out Millennium’s Eric Tucker, who’s doing a cooking demo and signing his latest book The Artful Vegan on Saturday at 11:15 a .m. at the Ferry Building Marketplace.

2. Gung Hey Fat Choy!: Celebrate the Lunar New Year on Thursday (February 7)—eat a whole fish (symbolizing togetherness and abundance), chicken (for prosperity) and noodles (for long life)—or head to Bong Su on Wednesday or Friday for a festive Vietnamese T?t celebration.

3. Slowly but surely: The fifth annual Food from the Heart benefit is at Ferry Building Marketplace on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Take a stroll through the candlelit Grand Nave with your pick of hors d'oeuvres ($2 - $4 per taste) and wine ($6 per glass). Proceeds benefit Slow Food San Francisco.

4. Getting (to know) the boot: Ceri Smith, the owner of Russian Hill’s mostly Italian wine boutique Biondivino, is having two winemaker tastings this week: Meet Pietro Ratti of Renato Ratti on the 6th, then Bruno deConciliis and Paolo Capriotti on Friday, the 8th.

5. Champagne and chocolate: Could there be a better combination? You can be the judge at Charles Chocolates on Saturday, February 9, from 1-5 p.m. Not only will you get to sample complimentary chocolates and Champagne, but you’ll also get a 10% discount on your purchases (after all, Valentine’s Day is coming up).

6. Would you like some dinner with your gin?: Make reservations for Wednesday’s (February 13) Gin Pairing Dinner in Absinthe’s private dining room. Chef Jamie Lauren will prepare a four-course meal to accompany Jeff Hollinger’s (The Art of the Bar) original cocktails using Hendrick’s Gin.

7. Out with the old, in with the new: According to Chowhound, Firecracker (one of my old favorites for Asian fusion) on Valencia is closing at the end of the month (good thing we’ve got an extra day this Leap Year). Udupi Palace, a vegetarian Indian joint, will take its place.