August 5, 2008

8 is a lucky number in Chinese culture, and the folks at ~BAR 888~ at the InterContinental Hotel are pretty dialed in for this upcoming Friday’s date of 08/08/08. You can take your pick from eight grappa drinks for $8.88 each, including two new ones that will be added to the menu, running August 8th–August 31st. InterContinental Hotel San Francisco, 888 Howard St. at Fifth St., 415-616-6566.

~CANDYBAR~ in the Western Addition/NoPa neighborhood is launching a happy hour this Wednesday August 6th, with $3 Peroni and Fat Tire beers, $4 sangria, $5 select wines, and daily snack specials from chef Boris Portnoy. Some delish-sounding bites include potatoes confit with romesco sauce ($2), stuffed zucchini blossoms with shrimp mousse ($3), stuffed piquillo peppers with beef cheeks ($3), and grilled cheese sandwich: Mimolette cheese on brioche. I know, yum. A few sweets will be milk chocolate finger cake ($2), and pistachio nougat chocolate bars ($2). Regular hours are Sun–Thu 6pm–10pm (closed Tue), and Fri–Sat 6pm–12am. 1335 Fulton St. at Divisadero, 415-673-7078.

Lots of winos are anticipating the release of Bottle Shock, the new flick about the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. This Wednesday August 6th, Crushpad is hosting a ~BOTTLE SHOCK OPENING NIGHT PARTY/PRIVATE SCREENING AND A PARIS TASTING REDUX~. Guests will taste modern day versions of the wines, including both winners featured in the original tasting. You’ll participate in the judging and cast your vote after tasting four French wines and four American wines. After the winning wines are selected, you’ll hop aboard chartered buses for a short trip to the theater to view a private screening of the movie. Special guests will include Bo and Heidi Barrett and Gustavo Brambila, who won first place among the white wines at the Paris Tasting with their Chateau Montelena chardonnay, plus some folks from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, whose cabernet sauvignon captured first place among red wines. Bottle Shock producers Brenda and Marc Lhormer will also be present. Tickets are $75 per person; availability is limited. Your $75 ticket for the night includes the premium wine tasting at Crushpad, transportation to and from the theater, and admission to the private movie screening. Buy tickets.

Bottle Shock blind tasting not quite in your budget? This Wednesday August 6th, ~IRON WINE AMERICA~ returns to William Cross. This installment is all about pinot noir: you will taste six different pinots from six different regions, and five different countries. As always with Iron Wine America nights, these wines will be tasted blind. The wines to be poured are: 2006 Willowbrook Pinot Noir Sonoma–California; 2006 Azul Profundo Pinot Noir Bio Bio Valley–Chile; 2005 Domaine Chevalier Bourgogne–France; 2005 Dr. Heyden Pinot Noir Oppenheimer–Germany; 2006 Bird Old School Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough–New Zealand; and 2006 Elvenglade Pinot Noir Yamhill–Oregon. A flight is $15. 6pm–9pm. William Cross Wine Merchants, 2253 Polk St. at Green, 415-346-1314.

Next Monday August 11th, Namu is hosting a ~TASTING OF SAKES FROM THE JOTO PORTFOLIO~, one of the fastest growing sake importers. You’ll also be able to order dishes off Namu's tasty menu. $15 cash at the door. Limited to 20 people—call True Sake at 415-355-9555 to reserve your spot. 5:30pm–7pm. Namu, 439 Balboa St. at 5th Ave., 415-386-8332.