June 10, 2008

This Sunday June 15th, there are a couple ways to say kanpai to Pop on Father’s Day. Two local izakayas are hosting special events: ~O IZAKAYA LOUNGE~ (1625 Post St. at Laguna, 415-614-5431) in Japantown has a generous Father’s Day offer:

- complimentary pitcher of draft beer of dad's choice or a carafe of Sho Chiku Bai Sake (nigori or filter)
- complimentary yakimono platter with the assortment of tsukune, pork belly, beef loin, omochi (one of each)
- Dad can choose the baseball game that he would like played on the large-screen TVs

And then ~SOZAI RESTAURANT~ in the Sunset is hosting a Father's Day sake pairing featuring Take no Tsuyu (Bamboo Tears), a big hit with anyone who takes up general manager Gil Payne’s offer to try it. In honor of Take no Tsuyu owner/master brewer Sakagura-san's brief visit to the Bay Area, Sozai is offering a sake pairing with four of his wonderful sakes with four specially-crafted tapas plates. Guests will also have the ability to meet him and hear the story of this outstanding kura from Yamagata-ken. $30 per person for four sakes and four plates (the regular menu will be available following the tasting). 6pm–8pm. For reservations, call Sozai in advance. You will be contacted for confirmation and payment. 1500 Irving St. at 16th Ave., 415-681-7150.

This Thursday June 12th, Tracey Brandt from ~A DONKEY AND GOAT WINERY~ will be pouring their wines at K&L Wine Merchants in San Francisco from 4:30pm–6:30pm. Tracey will pour their 2005 Brosseau Vineyard Chardonnay, 2006 The Recluse Syrah, and 2006 Three Thirteen. Tasting fee: $1. K&L Wine Merchants, 638 4th St. at Brannan, 415-896-1734.

Hoot. The new ~OWL TREE~ is open. The upstairs area should be open soon, and there’s reportedly a shrine to Bobby—I hope there are some handi-wipes in said shrine. 601 Post St. at Taylor, 415-359-1600.

~CAV WINE BAR & KITCHEN~ is fired up: in celebration of the California State Supreme Count ruling extending marriage equality to all, CAV will open at noon, that’s right, noon on Tuesday June 17th for those who want to celebrate their newfound nuptials. Then, once the sun goes down, CAV is hosting a “Summer of Love Redux” party from 8pm–11pm, cranking it up with DJ Kid Gorgeous. As the newsletter says, “We want to make it clear that everyone is welcome. This is a joyous occasion about inclusiveness and we are happy to have everyone join in this celebration. Ten percent of the proceeds on this day will be donated to Equality California, www.eqca.org.” CAV will also open a half hour early during the week, at 5pm, for newlyweds and anyone else that wants to come on in from June 17th–30th. 1666 Market St. at Gough, 415-437-1770.

Here’s a fun way to get into trouble on a Sunday: ~XYZ~ is offering a selection of half-price bottles of wine off their Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Sundays, 5:30pm–10pm, June through August. W Hotel, 181 Third St. at Howard, 415-817-7836.  

This Friday the 13th (bwaaaaaaah!), ~JOVINO~ in Cow Hollow is hosting their monthly Wine Social, featuring wines from Robert Hall Vineyards of Paso Robles. The wines to be poured are the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Rhone de Robles, and 2007 Rose de Robles. Happy hour is from 6pm–9pm, and is $20 for unlimited tasting. Next month's featured winery will be on July 25th: Carmel Road Vineyards. 2184 Union St. at Fillmore, 415-563-1853.

Coming up on Sunday June 22nd is the 27th annual ~MILL VALLEY WINE AND GOURMET FOOD TASTING~. Some of the wineries attending: Acorn, A Donkey and Goat, Baldassari, Balletto, Bink, Carica, Core, Duckhorn, Dunn, Etude, Frank Family, Hartford, Le Vois, Minassian-Young, Paul Mathew, Rombauer, Silver Oak, Spence, Testarossa, Twomey, Vin Nostro, to name a few, over 70 wineries in all. Gourmet foods and edible fare from local restaurants will be there as well. 1pm–4pm, $40 in advance (until June 21st) or purchase directly from the Mill Valley Market; $50 the day of. 1 Miller Ave., Mill Valley.