Fresno Street Eats is hosting heart-shaped food events to help couples and singles celebrate Valentine's Day. Fresno Street Eats image

Consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, according an annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

The most popular gift categories this year include candy (56%), flowers (40%), greeting cards (40%), an evening out (35%) and jewelry (22%). Across these categories, Americans plan to spend a total of $6.5 billion on jewelry, $5.4 billion on an evening out, $2.9 billion on flowers, $2.5 billion on candy and $1.4 billion on greeting cards.

A variety of local restaurants are hoping to cash in on the “evening out” category, planning special events to cater to the lovers out there. 

 

Fresno Street Eats changes shape

Fresno Street Eats will feature various vendors offering heart-shaped creations this Friday, Feb. 14, with everything from chocolate to churros, pizza, corn dogs and more.

The event at Tioga Sequoia Beer Garden will feature food trucks and vendors, some of which also participated at an event last Saturday at River Park.

Fresno Street Eats has events taking place throughout the Valley this week. Thursday, Fresno Street Eats will be at Crow and Wolf Brewing Co. hosting Date Night Bingo. On Friday, Fresno Street Eats will also host an event at Holland Park West.

To find out more, including upcoming events, check out their Instagram.

 

Shape of my heart

Mountain Mike’s Pizza is offering a sweet deal all February, featuring its heart-shaped pizza and a treat to follow it up.

Customers at the pizzeria can pick up their heart-shaped pizza starting at $26.99, and for an additional $5.99, guests can pick up Mountain Mike’s Sweetheart Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza has eight locations in Fresno and Clovis, as well as locations in Sanger, Madera, Hanford, Visalia and Tulare.

Me-n-Ed’s will also celebrate the return of their heart-shaped pizza, with one-topping options starting at $19.99.

 

Paint & Sip at Tipzys

Tipzys Tacos & Beer invites couples to unleash their inner artists this Friday while enjoying tacos and beer in Tower District.

The taco shop will host singles and couples looking to enjoy the art-filled evening with talented instructors ready to assist customers of all skill levels.

Tipzys Tacos & Beer is located at 920 E. Olive Ave., in Tower District. This Friday, customers can also check out other nearby events, including a concert at Sequoia Brewing Co., comedy show at Tower Theatre and DJ event at Strummer’s Bar & Grill.

 

Laughs, love and linguini — what’s not to love?

DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant will host a weekend of love, laughs and, of course, good eats when “For the Love of Comedy, A Comedy Show” rolls into town this Friday and Saturday night.

With headliner Danny Minch from the movie “Alta California,” Hollywood Improv and more, the shows will feature guest comics David Glass and Tom Smith ready to help audiences laugh until it hurts.

Tickets start at $39.19 for general admission, with couples VIP tickets, including champagne, for $87.21.

DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant is located in Old Town Clovis at 408 Clovis Ave.

 

Wyndham brings the love

Wyndham Visalia is offering couples a romantic nightcap and a good morning wakeup call with its Wyndham Visalia Valentine’s Day Romantic Experience.

For about $200, two guests will be treated to a room and dinner for two at Wyndham’s Café California, where guests can enjoy a mouthwatering steak, sandwich or salad, and drinks at nearby Mahogany’s Bar, Wyndham’s on-site lounge. In the morning, guests are welcome to enjoy Wyndham’s à la carte breakfast.

The Wyndham will also host Valentine’s Speed Dating on Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. for guests looking for “the one” or just looking to expand their social circle.

Wyndham Visalia is located at 9000 W. Airport Dr., in Visalia.

 

Other Valley businesses offering deals:

Several local businesses are collaborating this Valentine’s Day with social media giveaways for a variety of prizes. 

One lucky winner will receive heart-shaped pizzas from Curry Pizza Company, a Dubai chocolate bar from Cream Nation, and gift cards to Ooh La La, Mega Texas Barbecue and Fairy Godmother’s Closet. Additional prizes include two men’s haircuts from Prestige Barbershop and an hour of billiards at Sierra Billiards.

To enter, participants must like the giveaway post, tag two people, and follow all listed businesses. A bonus entry is available to share the post. The winner will be announced on Feb. 14.