January 13, 2009

Of late, I’ve been following a few pieces of ~BAR NEWS IN THE CASTRO~, like what was opening in the second location of the Metro (formerly Expansion) and whaddya know, the Bay Area Reporter did a very detailed piece covering all kinds of booze news. So I’m just going to happily pass the pint glass over to this article by Matthew Bajko. Schwanks!


A tablehopper reader wrote in to say they spotted a place called ~MINI~, a wine and Champagne bar, that’s opening in a tiny tiny tiny space next to Esperpento on 22nd and Valencia in the Mission. Not to be confused with mini bar on Divisadero. Ahem. According to the sign in the window, they are opening on January 20th. Anyone know more details about this mini project?

~TRES AGAVES~ is hosting Guillermo Erickson Sauza, a fifth-generation family member of the legendary Sauza Tequila family for the “Third Thursday” dinner on January 15th. Señor Sauza will feature his artisan, handcrafted La Fortaleza Tequila made with stone-crushed agaves. Each event features margaritas, a Tequila tasting of the featured brand, a speaker representing the distillery and a multi-course dinner. Live Mariachi music accompanies the dinner. Event begins at 6pm, space is limited. Cost for the dinner including the Tequila tasting and entertainment is $75, all inclusive of tax and tip. Call 415-227-0500 or email distillerydinners [at] gmail [dot] com for reservations.

Upcoming “Third Thursday” dinners are: Corazon Tequila February 19th with Export Director Jorge Aceves; Tequila Arette March 19th with owners Jaime and Eduardo Orendain; 7 Leguas Tequila on April 16th (can’t wait for this one!) with owner Fernando Gonzales; and Corralejo Tequila on May 21st. 130 Townsend St. at 2nd St., 415-227-0500.

~PISCO LATIN LOUNGE~ is now open on Mondays, and closed Sundays. This month PiscObama Punch is on the menu to honor Obama’s inauguration, and is only $5 on January 12th, 19th, and 26th to “inaugurate” the new Monday hours (regularly $8). Pisco is open six days a week from 5pm–midnight, with a late menu available on Fridays and Saturdays until 1am. The nightly “Social Hour” has been extended from 5pm–7pm. 1817 Market St. at Octavia, 415-874-9951.

I heard last week’s fundraiser for ~TONY DEVENCENZI~ at Enrico’s was really successful—over $30,000 was raised for the United States Bartenders Guild Bartender Relief Fund. GREAT news. Tony is now recuperating with his family in Redwood City and is expected to make a full recovery, but those hospital bills are not pretty. Big round o’ applause and kudos to everyone for raising such an incredible amount of money to help.

I also got notice that some artwork and wares are being created by staff, family, and friends of ~LEVENDE LOUNGE~ & ~LEVENDE EAST~ for some special silent auctions and additional fundraising events. There will be two events: one is at Levende Lounge on Wednesday January 21st, 7pm–midnight, with “S.T.I.R.” performing live at 9pm, followed by Roger 9ners Karaoke Extravaganza. Art and item auction closing at 10:30pm, winning bids announced at 11pm. Event number two is at Levende East on Wednesday January 28th from 7pm–midnight, with DJs Cornelius Foo and more, plus “S.T.I.R.” performing live at 10pm. Art and item auction closing at 10:30pm, winning bids announced at 11pm. 100% of the proceeds from the auction and raffle will be given directly to the Devencenzi family, along with a portion of proceeds from the bar. If you are unable to lend your support through the donation of works and/or by your attendance, donations may also be made through the United States Bartenders Guild Bartender Relief Fund, a 501c3 Charity. Checks can be made out to USBG and are tax-deductible. If you would like to make a donation please send an email to norcalusbg [at] gmail [dot] com with the amount and a link to process payment will then be sent to you via email. Levende is accepting donations for the silent auction and raffle, so contact kiri [at] levende [dot] com to confirm your participation.

Winos, take note that ~THE LARK CREEK INN~ is celebrating the start of its 20th anniversary year by offering guests half-off on all wines on Friday evenings throughout January and February. Nope, not on Mondays, how novel! And you can get chef Erica Holland-Toll’s Southern-fried chicken prix-fixe spread whenever you want! It was previously offered only on Sundays, but is now available seven nights a week ($19.95 per person). Slow-roasted prime rib has also been added to the menu on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights for $28.95, and includes a baked potato, Yorkshire pudding, and horseradish cream. 234 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, 415-924-7766.

There are some ~SELVAGROSSA WINERY~ events happening this week. First up, tonight, January 13th, ~A16~ is hosting Anselma Taddei, mother of Selvagrossa winemakers Alberto and Alessandro Taddei. A16 will feature and help to create some of Anselma's pastas, passatelli, strozzapreti, and tortellini in their kitchen. Plus, of course, they will be featuring Selvagrossa wine (the Trimpillin, Poveriano, and Muschen wines). 2355 Chestnut St. at Scott, 415-771-2216.

~OTTIMISTA ENOTECA~ will also be hosting a special tasting of Selvagrossa wines and typical Marchese dishes with Alberto Taddei and his mother (an acclaimed cook!) on Thursday January 15th. Guests will taste a range of Selvagrossa wines paired with regional dishes based on Anselmina Taddei's own recipes. $40/per person (includes wine tasting and regional food pairings). All events are held on Ottimista's front patio. A credit card is required to make an event reservation.x 6pm–7:30pm. To sign up, call 415-674-8400. 1838 Union St. at Octavia, 415-674-8400.

Name change alert! The sports bar ~WOODYZIPS~ in North Beach is now ~THE BOARDROOM~ (the owner bought out his partner and decided to change the name). 1609 Powell St. at Green, 415-982-8898.