VALENTINE DINNERS IN RHODE ISLAND

Two possibilities for a Valentine dinner Friday, February 14:

For north state, Providence-style hipsters, Julians (318 Broadway, Providence  401-861-1770) offers two seatings (6:00 and 9:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. for anybody over 40?) for a six-course spread accompanied by disco. Good price: $99 for a couple. Call Julian's (juliansprovidence.com) to reserve, 401-861-1770

For South County big spenders, Ocean House (1 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill  888-552-2588) will have a special five-course menu from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 on the 14th. It's $95 per person before tax and tip (optional wine pairing is $40 per person). On Saturday the 15th dinner is at 7:00 p.m. and diners hear a concert performance of Salt Marsh Opera (saltmarshopera.org). Price is $125 per person plus t&t. Call Ocean House (oceanhouseevents.com) to reserve, 888-552-2588

Valentine's Day by John Callcott Horsely known not for valentines but for creating the first Christmas card in 1843

GREY SAIL BEER DINNER AT GRACIE'S JANUARY 23

Gracie's (194 Washington Street, Providence  401-272-7811) is hosting a Grey Sail (greysailbrewing.com) beer dinner on Thursday, January 23. Chef Matthew Varga  and pastry chef Melissa Denmark will pair their four courses with Grey Sail (of Westerly, RI) beers. Alan Brinton of Grey Sails will do the beer chats. It's $80 per person plus tax and tip.

Call 401-272-7811 to reserve or email tenneal@graciesprov.com

January 23   6:00 p.m.   $80 + tap & tip

TRINITY REP FUNDRAISER: JAN 25

Trinity Rep's fund raiser on Saturday, January 25 (7 p.m. to 11 p.m.) is a wine-tasting. The night is casual, dancing encouraged (Superchief Trio provides the music). Bottles Fine Wine (bottlesfinewine.com) runs the wine-tasting and the food is provided by Nicks on Broadway (nicksonbroadway.com/), Chez Pascal (chez-pascal.com), The Grange (providencegrange.com), Walrus and Carpenter Oyster (walrusandcarpenteroysters.com) and Russell Morin Fine Catering (morinsfinecatering.com). Good list.

Tickets are $75 

Call Trinity Rep (401-351-4242 ) or pick up at the box office (201 Washington Street)

BURGER UPDATE: DOHERTY'S EAST AVENUE

Doherty's Irish Pub (342 East Avenue, Pawtucket  401-725-1800). Maybe it was the broken seat spring but I don't think so. Revisiting Doherty's I found the burger and other semi-junk fun food selected worthy of a 3 on a 1 to 10 scale. Too bad. dohertys.com

PROVIDENCE RESTAURANT WEEKS: WINTER 2014

Starting today, January 5, running through Saturday, January 18, it's your civic duty to dine out.  Forget the fact that you have done nothing but eat for weeks. Get a Fitbit and walk giant loops from Blackstone Blvd to Hope to Wickenden and back again to the boulevard, or walk from the top of Wickenden to the top of Federal Hill and back (this is a fun route if you wind your way via Olga'a, shops on Westminster, over to the convention center and up Atwells Avenue - carry a backpack for purchases). Or do your atoning on a treadmill.

But stay in shape so you can enjoy good offerings guilt-free. Restaurants all over Providence (with the notable exception of the west of 95 clique), near Providence, and all the way to Matunuck are participating. The general deal: $14.95 for a three-course lunch, $29.95 for a three-course dinner. True, some restaurants offer slim pickings (menu-wise and in some cases, literally) but others are out to seduce you. And if you've ever had the urge to go to one of the famous steak houses (e.g. Capital Grille or Ruth's Chris) now's the time.

Here's one you shouldn't miss: Matunuck Oyster Bar (629 Succotash Road, Matunuck  401-783-4202 http://www.rhodyoysters.com/). Matunuck Oyster Bar is open all day, every day from 11:30 a.m. The restaurant week menu is comprehensive and the place is fun. Crowded too (that's an understatement), so choose your time.

The list of participating restaurants is good - take a look (http://www.goprovidence.com/RW/)

Osias Beert: Still Life with Oysters