July 14, 2009

With all the bartenders returning from Tales of the Cocktail, you can say hello to them at the one-year-anniversary festivities happening at ~CLOCK BAR~ this week. Every night will feature guest bartenders, a spirit brand, and menu of specialty cocktails. Here's the lineup: Tuesday July 14th (Bastille Day): Brooke Arthur and Neyah White; Wednesday July 15th: Steven Liles; Thursday July 16th: Erik Adkins; and Friday July 17th: Dave Nepove. Lobby of The Westin St Francis hotel, 335 Powell St. at Geary, 415-397-9222.

Just in case you've always been curious about ~TOMMY TOY'S~ (it has quite the chinoiserie interior), you might want to know that you can swing by for happy hour Mon–Fri from 4:30pm–6:30pm. The spread includes half-price drinks and $5 small plates, including BBQ baby back ribs, prawn satays with pickled ginger glaze, crispy spring rolls with wild plum sauce, plus other dishes. You can read more deals at the restaurant here. 655 Montgomery St. at Washington, 415-397-4888.

Since I won't be able to announce the opening of ~BLACKBIRD BAR~ next week (remember, I am taking next week off), I thought you should know they plan to open on July 23rd. Call first, of course. Here's the back story from a previous tablehopper issue. 2124 Market St. at Church, 415-503-0630.

And next Saturday July 25th, ~ARLEQUIN WINE MERCHANT~ and five San Francisco resident winemakers will be pouring 20 different wines: Broc Cellars, Sutton Cellars, A.P. Vin, Harrington, and August West. All featured wines will be available for special event pricing at Arlequin Wine Merchant. $25 per person, 2pm–5pm. 384 Hayes St. at Gough, 415-863-1104.