Your Daily Dose of Food News, Events and Must-Read Miscellany

1. Ballard’s Pono Ranch is slated to officially open its doors this Monday, Feb 10. The organic eatery at 4502 Shilshole Ave. NW has been serving juice, pastries and light breakfast fare at its drive-thru and walk-up window since mid-January.

2. Tilth in Fremont hosts a prix-fixe Valentine’s Day dinner for $85 featuring savory apple soup, ricotta gnudi, St. Jude’s albacore tuna a la plancha and dark chocolate sorbet with shaved chocolate and hazelnuts. The Maria Hines restaurant is also planning a three-course V-Day weekend brunch on Feb. 15 and 16 that includes French omelets, cheddar biscuits and smoked pulled chicken gravy and stuffed French toast with sultana and freeze dried grapes. Phone 206-633-0801 for reservations.

3. Fat Cork hosts a private Champagne, cheese and chocolate tasting next Thursday, Feb 13. The 5:00 to 7:00 pm event features five pairings in the bubbly importer’s underground Champagne cave. Cost is $50, reserve space by calling 206-257-1730.

4. If you’re planning a Valentine’s Day dinner at home but don’t want to cook, Zaw Pizza is offering two-packs of Hot Cakes’ Molten Chocolate Cakes alongside any signature pie for $30 bucks. The offer starts this Sunday and runs through Feb. 14.