Los Gatos eateries cater to lovers of football, Fat Tuesday and fine dining

We’re on the eve of a cornucopia of unofficial holidays, beginning with Super Bowl, then Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day, which can technically be celebrated all week.

Manresa Bread’s Avery Ruzicka, a two-time James Beard finalist  for outstanding baker, can elevate a Super Bowl watch party with a four-pack of giant, naturally fermented sourdough pretzels, salted and complemented by house-made beer cheese.  Fans can place their order at https://www.manresabread.com and pick it up at any of the bakery’s five locations Feb. 9-11.

Manresa Bread is also giving the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake a festive California twist. Avery’s king cake features Manresa Bread’s signature laminated babka dough with cinnamon and butter topped with a crème fraîche cream cheese glaze and purple, green and gold sugar crystals. Snag a whole cake or slice through Mardi Gras day on Feb. 13.

Manresa Bread’s king cake will be on the Mardi Gras menu at The Bywater, Chef David Kinch’s Los Gatos restaurant that honors his New Orleans roots.

Related Articles

Big San Jose regional mall heads for sale by mid-year

Listeria outbreak: What to know and how to protect yourself

2 Bay Area restaurants make Yelp’s Most Romantic 100 list

Taste Tri-Valley Restaurant Week starts Feb. 23

7 awesome Bay Area things to do over Super Bowl weekend

For Valentine’s Day, Manresa Bread has a variety of sweet cookies and treats, like passionfruit tart and chocolate cream pie. Remember those handmade Valentines of old? The piped icing on the heart-shaped strawberry cake made for two will stir up memories.

Chez Philippe will prepare a romantic dinner for two for $230 that includes two glasses of sparkling, apps, choice of entrees and a dessert. Make a reservation at 408-442-5353 or https://www.chezphilippelosgatos.com/reservations

The Tasting House offers a special six-course tasting menu for two for $250, with optional wine pairings. Regular menu also available. Email reservations to [email protected], call 408-348-1807 or book on Open Table.

Testarossa invites caviar lovers to Wine Bar 107 through Feb. 15 for California Caviar CO’s “The Queen’s Reserve,” accompanied by blinis, chips, truffle-lemon ricotta, crème fraiche, chives and black pepper.