Hot restaurant events this week: Ngon's pig dinner, Sioux Chef pop-up and much more

Your calendar looking a little light on plans? Check out our roundup of all the Twin Cities' best food-and-drink-inspired events over the next two weeks.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Nose to Tail Pig Tasting Dinner: In celebration of its 10^th anniversary, Ngon Bistro will be butchering a whole pig and taking advantage of all the tasty cuts and nibbles the swine has to offer. For a ticket price of $65, patrons can indulge in the meal and two cocktails made with Vikre Distillery spirits (tip is also included) at the 6 p.m. feast.

Friday, Feb. 3

Gourmet Hot Cocoa Pop-Up Bar: If you're in downtown Minneapolis this week, here's a good excuse to get out of the cold: The Radisson Blue downtown will be serving up warm chocolate varieties inspired by the St. Croix Chocolate Company, including versions infused with ingredients like dulce de leche, chili, chocolate ganache and mint. While these warming drinks are kid friendly, the adjoined FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar will be pouring hot cocoa cocktails for the entire month of February. Frangelico with hazelnut syrup and Godiva chocolate anyone?

Saturday, Jan. Feb. 4

The Beer Dabbler: The winter carnival at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds is back, drawing beer-loving Minnesotans out of hibernation to sample 150-plus local, regional and national craft brewery offerings, eat lots of meat and cheese and food truck grub, and listen to live music (Shannon Blowtorch, The 4onthefloor, ZuluZuluu). If that's not enough action, perhaps you'll be lured by the promises of beer pong and human foosball. General admission is $45 in advance.

YUAARUKAPI: No typo here, just an exciting new pop-up from the Sioux Chef team as it anticipates opening Minneapolis' first indigenous foods restaurant. At the event (6 p.m., at First Universalist Church), Sean Sherman will cook alongside Karlos Baca, a Colorado chef who highlights wild edibles and hunted foods at the Dunton Hot Springs Resort. The two Native American chefs will create a meal that will blend the wild flavors of the Dine, Ute, Dakota and Anishinaabe tribes. Tickets are $90.

Meritage World Expo continues: In this round – which ends Feb. 9 – chef Russell Klein will be dabbling in Chinese cuisine. On the menu? Shrimp and pork dumplings with XO sauce, peking duck, steamed buns and roast pork fried rice. Prices will range from $30-$50 a person.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Tu B'Shevat Seder: The lineup for the four-hour, eight-course, wine-spiked feast at Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park will feature chefs Michelle Gayer (the Salty Tart), Eli Wollenzien (Coalition Restaurant) and Michael Agan (Xavi), among others. They'll share their takes on Holy Land cuisine — highlighting ingredients like wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil and dates. Tickets to the traditional Jewish holiday feast (6-10 p.m.) are $125 per person.

Craft chocolate class: Taste France 44 Cheese Shop's decadent selection of artisan chocolates — just ahead of Valentine's Day — while learning about some of the nuances and sipping on drink pairings. Tickets for the event, which goes from 6:30 to 8 p.m., are $50.

Stout Breakfast: Beer for breakfast? Groveland Tap says "Why not?" Partake in a coursed meal of a different sort with the four rounds of breakfast items each paired with a different stout, for $35 a person. Call 651-699-5058 to make a reservation.

Monday, Feb. 13

Upton 43 Chef's Table: This time around, Erik Harcey has invited fellow chef Jason Zygmont from the Treehouse restaurant in Nashville to join him in creating a one-time feast for 12. Tickets for the 8 p.m. meal – set in Upton 43's kitchen – are $250 and include the tip and wine pairings for the 9 to 12 courses.