Although going out for NYC Restaurant Week isn't exactly cheap... every year there are a handful of participating places that are worth your while. From 2/16-3/6, you can snag a $25 lunch at one of these highly recommended spots: Narcissa, Lafayette, Telepan, Red Rooster, Nougatine @ Jean-Georges, Nobu, Boulud Sud, Bar Primi and Dovetail.

Head over to the IFC Center (323 6th Avenue) and check out separate screenings of animated, live action, and documentary shorts that are nominated for an Oscar this year. Each screening contains all five films nominated in the category at hand (except the docs are split into two screenings) -- perhaps your best chance at winning that Oscar pool.

Swing by Gotham West Market (600 11th Avenue) tonight and every Tuesday for their free movie series. Tonight's screening of The Monuments Men begins at 9PM.

Click here for more information.

Not to be outdone by Hot Chocolate Month at City Bakery, February also happens to be Pancake Month at Clinton Street Baking Company. They are featuring nine different concoctions throughout the month like crunchy bananas with cinnomon chili chocolate sauce and Japanese pumpkin pancakes with pumpkin seed streusel and warm maple butter. Yum!

Check out the whole calendar here!

While you're checking out City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival, pop by Bottlerocket (5 West 19th Street) located around the corner for the shop's Whiskeyfest. You can swing by between 5PM and 8PM every night in February for a free whiskey tasting. Click on the calendar below for a lineup.

The City Bakery kicked off it's 22nd annual hot chocolate festival yesterday. Every day in February there is a different flavor for you to try. From Bourbon Hot Chocolate to "On A Peanut Butter Barge," there is sure to be something to spruce up your palate.

Click here to check out all the available flavors and the days they're being served.

This weekend, head down to NYU and catch four 15-minute musicals for $10 ($5 for students). Showing will be:

A Head in the Polls
The Very Short Guide to Having a Baby 
Mars One By Benjamin 
15 Minutes to Midnight

Click here for more information and grab tickets here.

In honor of National Hot Tea Month, Teavana will be giving away free tea tomorrow. You can get a 16 oz Winterberry hot tea or 22 ounce iced tea at any of their six locations: Broadway at 81st Street, Lexington and East 87th Street, Madison and 85th Street, 63rd and Third Avenue, 9th Street and Broadway.

Thanks to our friends at 89th and Broke for the heads up!

This evening at 7PM, Union Hall (702 Union Street) hosts the first installment of a series of quarterly home brewing contests taking place this year. Swing by and watch the competitors battle it out, as you have the chance to sample the brews for yourself and see if you agree with the judges. Three winners will be selected to move on to the finals later this year.

Chipotle is offering a deal today which is essentially a "buy one get one free" deal. Simply buy a sofritas burrito/bowl/tacos today (that's organic tofu) and bring your receipt back anytime in the next month for a free meal of your choice.

Now through Valentine's Day, swing by the Marlborough Chelsea Gallery (545 West 25th Street) for a Space Jam inspired art exhibit from artist Devon Troy Strother.

Click here for more information

This Sunday, swing by the 92nd Street Y for Scones In The Studio -- an afternoon of free workshops, studio tours and, of course, food. Offerings include classes in art, ceramics, jewelry, music and dance.

Click here for more information.