August 19, 2008

Bummed with this B.S. weather? (I feel ya.) Free for some BBQ tomorrow? (I wish I was!) Orson is hosting a ~SQUARE ONE VODKA & SUMMER BBQ DINNER~ this Wednesday August 20th. The three-course menu with paired cocktails includes Hog Island oyster with smoked corn and cucumber, and to drink, the Drunken Watermelon (Square One cucumber vodka, simple syrup, Espelette); the first course is pork belly with watermelon, arugula, eggplant, and sweet peppers, paired with Summer Seraph (Square One cucumber vodka, Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, sparkling wine, lemongrass); second course is mixed grill, with beef ribs, smoked beer sausage, jerk prawn, heirloom tomato panzanella, and to drink, the Dandy Shandy (Square One vodka, peach puree, Anchor summer beer, ginger). There’s also a dessert amuse of grilled tomatillo and a honey-parfait shot, and for dessert, olive oil-almond soup with orange house-infused Square One vodka pearl, and grilled peach sorbet paired with Blazing in Gold (orange house-infused Square One vodka, Galliano, espresso). Yum! $75 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. You can book online at opentable.com and put "summer BBQ" in your note. 508 4th St. at Bryant, 415-777-1508.

There is nothing like a recession or a slow summer to get some happy hours and drink specials going. I can’t even keep up. But let’s try.

My friendly neighbors at ~CORKAGE SAKE & WINE SHOP~ have started serving sake no sakana, little snacks meant to be enjoyed while drinking sake. On offer are tako wasabi (octopus marinated in wasabi/$3.75), edamame ($3.25), ika-sansai (smoked squid with mountain vegetables/$3.75), kappa maki (small cucumber roll/$4.75), and oshinko maki (small pickled radish roll $4.75) from 3pm–10pm while you do your sipping. 1300 Fulton St. at Divisadero, 415-567-6503.

~TERZO~ has launched their late summer promo, “Come Early, Stay Late,” running from now through Labor Day. Go in for a glass of wine off their great list, or a beer, or an aperitif at the bar, and receive a special appetizer of the day, for free, yo! Available Monday through Friday from 5:30pm–6:30pm. 3011 Steiner St. at Union, 415-441-3200.

~LEVEL III~ in Union Square has a happy hour Monday through Friday, from 4pm–7pm. Guests can order from three red wines, three whites, three cocktails developed by H. Ehrmann of Elixir, and three bar nibbles, all at 50% off. Some menu items include mac and cheese, crispy calamari, and American Kobe beef sliders. JW Marriott, 500 Post St. at Mason, 415-771-8600.

Italian vino patrol begins here. ~UVA ENOTECA~ in the Lower Haight is hosting an Introduction to Italian Wines this Saturday August 23rd. You’ll learn the fundamentals of winemaking, history, and tasting. Class size is limited to 15 people. 3:45pm. $35 per person. Call 415-829-2024 or email info [at] uvaenoteca [dot] com to sign up. 568 Haight St. at Steiner.

And then over in Cow Hollow, ~OTTIMISTA ENOTECA-CAFÉ~ is hosting a Regional Wine Tasting: The "Other" Piemonte on Wednesday August 27th on their front patio. You’ll learn (and taste) a wide range of grapes and styles from Piemonte's lesser-known areas, like whites from local grapes like Timorasso and Nas-cëtta, and reds like Ruché and Croatina. There will also be some Piemonte-inspired dishes and cheeses served. $55 per person (includes educational materials, wine tasting, and food pairings). 6pm–7:30pm. A credit card is required to make an event reservation, and subject to a 48-hour-cancellation policy. To sign up, email Melissa Gisler at melissa [at] ottimistasf [dot] com or call 415-674-8400. 1838 Union St. at Octavia, 415-674-8400.

I made a small boo boo last week: Victoria Damato-Moran will be the DAY bartender at La Mar on Pier 1 1/2, while Enrique Sanchez of Tres Agaves will be the lead bartender at night. Meow! Here’s hoping for the September 18th opening.