July 15, 2008

So a few weeks back I mentioned the bar formerly known as the ~RED ROOM~ in the Hotel Commodore has new owners and a new name. I can now announce the bar is called ~MINX~, and you might recognize some of the bartenders from Amber and the Riptide. The décor is still a work in progress, but you can swing by for a cocktail nightly 5pm–2am. 827 Sutter St. at Jones.

~RUSSELL'S ROOM~, the newest bar/room at Bourbon & Branch, is now open. It's ideal for smaller groups looking for a private party spot (30 max), with plush furniture, a pressed tin ceiling, and authentic cigar boxes lining the wall, a nod to the "JJ Russell Cigar Shop" that was the front for the spot's speakeasy during Prohibition. There are also six new cocktails on the main bar's summer menu, featuring six different spirits. Corner of O'Farrell and Jones.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco is kicking off its second annual ~COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE~ series, a summer cocktail program where proceeds from each specialty cocktail will go to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Seasons Bar's Sierra Zimei has created a lineup of cocktails, like the Sake 75, a take on the French 75, made with Magellan Gin, fresh lemon juice, and Hou Hou Shou sparkling sake. Every Monday from 5:30pm–7:30pm, through the end of the summer. 757 Market St. at Grant, 415-633-3000.

Then on Tuesdays, ~CAFÉ ROUGE~ in Berkeley has added (oh-so-cheerful) Recession Tuesdays to their weekly lineup, with all draft beers $1 off, and all cocktails $2 off. (The $1 oysters on Wednesdays continue.) 1782 4th St. at Virginia, Berkeley, 510-525-1440.

Feel like brushing up on your French wine knowledge? Raphael Knapp of International Vineyards has been hired by the Alliance Française to teach a series of classes (~LES VINS DE FRANCE: SUMMER INTENSIVE~) on Tuesday evenings. While the eight-week course has already started, you can do partial enrollment, with a two-class minimum requirement for a pro-rated fee. Call for details. 1345 Bush St. at Polk, 415-775-7755.

Knapp is also teaching a ~FRENCH WINE CLASS~ every second Monday of the month, geared for restaurant or retailer staff who are new to the world of wine and want to get a broad overview on the French wine regions, as well as an emphasis on restaurant wine service skills. Trade only. $10 per person to cover the cost of samples. The next class will be the Loire Valley on August 11th. RSVP if you are interested via email to raphaelknapp [at] hotmail [dot] com, or call 415-297-9673.

This Saturday July 19th, ~UVA ENOTECA~ is hosting an Introduction to Italian Wines class for just 15 students, covering the fundamentals of winemaking, history, and tasting. 3:45pm, $35 per person. Then on Saturday July 26th is a regional tasting featuring the wines of Emilia Romagna. 3:45pm, $40 per person. Call 415-829-2024 or email info [at] uvaenoteca [dot] com to sign up. 568 Haight St. at Steiner.

For you winers and diners, ~BACAR~ is hosting a five-course winemaker dinner with Abe Schoener of the Scholium Project, on Tuesday July 22nd, at 6:30pm. Guests will meet Schoener and taste nine of his wines, including his Scholium Project Gemella 'Last Slough Vineyard' 2007, Scholium Project The Prince and His Caves 'Farina Vineyards' 2006, and Scholium Project Scheria 'Hudson Vineyards' 2002. $125 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Please call 415-904-4100 and specify "Winemaker Dinner" when making reservations. 448 Brannan St. at 3rd St., 415-904-4100.

Sunday July 27th, ~ARLEQUIN WINE MERCHANT AND ARLEQUIN CAFÉ~ are hosting San Francisco's first "Resident Winemaker Tasting" from 1pm–5pm. This will be an opportunity to taste and purchase at least 20 acclaimed wines made by your City neighbors. The featured winemakers include Chris Brockway of Broc Cellars; Ed Kurtzman of August West; Andrew Vingiello of A.P. Vin; Carl Sutton of Sutton Cellars; and Bryan Harrington of Harrington Wine. Arlequin Café's chef, Carina Lampkin, will prepare a selection of passed hors d'oeuvres. Advance tickets are $25. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event for a price of $35. 384 Hayes St. at Gough.