March 10, 2009

Thanks to a tablehopper reader who forwarded the ~SAVE THE TONGA ROOM PETITION~ to me. Please consider signing it. You can also keep track of things in this forum on Tikiroom.com.

Congratulations to ~VICTORIA D'AMATO-MORAN~ who won the Mix it Up cocktail competition in Las Vegas, taking home the $5k prize, uh huh! Camper at Alcademics.com has all the fab details. Auguri, bella!

~SOUTH~ is hosting a Currency Converter Happy Hour from 4pm–6pm Monday through Friday—you pay the exchange rate of the day! Since the Australian dollar has tanked, that $10 glass of wine just might be $6.50! There’s also a bar bites menu with $5 eats. 330 Townsend St. at 4th St., 415-974-5599.

~GREENS RESTAURANT~ has launched Monk’s Madness Mondays, with all wines by the bottle on their award-winning list going for half price. For those who prefer to sample by the glass, they will be able to buy one, receive one free. Monk’s Madness Mondays starts on Monday March 16th, and will continue through April. Ft. Mason Center, Building A, 415-721-6222.

Saturday March 14th, ~ARLEQUIN WINE MERCHANT~ is hosting a portfolio tasting from Martine’s Wines, one of the Bay Area's most important French importers. This special afternoon tasting features six top French grower-producers from the Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Alsace regions of France, pouring approximately 20 different wines. Featured winemakers include: Rémy Gresser of Domaine Rémy Gresser; Jean-Marc Brocard of Domaine Brocard; Xavier Gonet and Julie Gonet-Médeville of Gonet-Médeville and Respide-Médeville; Sebastian Gay of Domaine Michel Gay et Fils; and Arnaud Mortet of Domaine Denis Mortet. You can find additional info about producers here. 2pm–5pm. $25 at the door; reservations not required. 384 Hayes St. at Gough, 415-863-1104.

Wednesday March 18th is the next ~THREE ON FIVE BEVERAGE BATTLE AT FIFTH FLOOR~: Vegetarian Showdown. Emily Wines will pair wines against beer selections from Craig & Beth Wathen of City Beer Store, and cocktails from celebrated mixologist Marco Dionysos of Clock Bar, with the added pairing challenge of the Gascony-inspired vegetarian menu. 7:30pm. $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Please specify “Beverage Battle” when making your reservation. 12 Fourth St. at Mission, 415-348-1555.