Chelsea: Start making preparations for the inaugural NYC Vegetarian Food Festival, coming to town on April 3. The free festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Altman Building, on 135 West 18th Street, and will feature food tastings, entertainment, raffles, and more. [Grub Street]
East Village: Boxcar Lounge will host the Joy of Cheese One Night Stand on February 23. The event promises eight cheeses, a sweet, and some “insightful discussion.” Tickets cost $25 and are available at brownpapertickets.com. [Grub Street]
Lower East Side: Just in time for Chinese New Year, Xi’an Famous Foods is selling discounted gift cards online at xianfoods.com. [Grub Street]
Midtown: Cer te’s next sandwich of the month debuts today. February’s special is the Wangen: braised beef cheeks, apples, “crispy sea-salted cabbage,” melted Gruyère, and Coleman’s mustard, all on Finnish ruis bread. [Midtown Lunch]
Midtown West: Jacques Torres is expanding his chocolate empire with a new location in Rockefeller Center, set to open tomorrow. [Midtown Lunch]
Soho: Panini specialist Micheal Colombo will now be serving traditional Italian beer and wine at Salumè. [Grub Street]