March 17, 2009

This Thursday March 19th is a tasting with Sans Liege Wines at ~SWIRL ON CASTRO~. Curt Schalchlin produces Rhone varietals (grenache, syrah, mourvedre, viognier, and marsanne)—these are the first releases from this dynamic young winemaker under his own brand. $15 with your RSVP to info [at] swirloncastro.com, $20 at the door. 5:30pm–7:30pm. 572 Castro St. at 19th St., 415-864-2262.

On Sunday March 22nd, ~BAR BAMBINO~ is hosting its first Cheese + Wine tasting event of the year. Unique (and certified) cheese selections will include Spressa delle Giudicarie, a young Alpine cheese, and Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the first Sicilian DOCG. 3pm–5pm, $45 per person. 2931 16th St. at S. Van Ness, 415-701-8466. Â

Next Thursday March 25th, the ~SAKÉCLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO~ is hosting a fundraiser to support the San Francisco Food Bank. The event will feature sake brewers and retailers, mini-seminars, and prizes throughout the night. It’s at Yoshi's Fillmore from 6:30pm–9:30pm. A $40 donation is requested to attend; RSVP at sakeclub.org. Just think about it: $40 equals 190 meals. Saké4Food still has room for sponsors to donate $300–$500 for a table and exposure. Kanpai. 1330 Fillmore St. at Eddy.

At the end of March, winemaker Ben and Yolanda Papapietro will be at ~NECTAR WINE LOUNGE'S~ two Bay Area locations, pouring a selection of their pinot noirs and zin. March 30th from 6pm–9pm in Burlingame, and March 31st from 6pm–9pm in San Francisco.Â

~LA FOLIE~ is close to completing their lounge that’s opening in the space adjoining the restaurant (where La Boulange used to be). The lounge will serve cocktails, beer, and wine, with dishes like gougères, oysters, a lobster croque monsieur (yes, you read that correctly), cheeses (that have their very own display case), pates, and small desserts. There are around 25 seats, with couches, small tables, dark hardwood floors, tile walls, and a comfortable loungey vibe.

The lounge is opening the first week of April, but you can take a sneak peek during La Folie’s 21st anniversary party on Tuesday March 31st. The party will start with an amuse bouche in the lounge, followed by a four-course dinner with a choice of cocktails paired by Grey Goose brand attaché Christophe Namer, or wine pairings by Georges Passot. On a more serious note, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Tocci family. Here is more from the event invite: “Carla and Sidino Tocci met while working at La Folie. They fell in love and eloped in Mexico. Soon after they became parents to a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth. Unfortunately life took a turn for the worse and Carla was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Carla’s sudden illness has been a financial strain on the Tocci family. They are in need of financial donations because their medical expenses are out of sight. If you are unable to attend the dinner and would still like to make a donation please visit their blog at toccifamilyfund.blogspot.com. The date also has a significant meaning for Carla and Sidino because it’s their wedding anniversary.” Reception 6pm, dinner 7pm. $125 (not including tax and gratuity). 2316 Polk St. at Green, 415-776-5577.

On April 1st, ~INNER MISSION BEER PARLOR~, the historic Mission bar on the corner of Shotwell and 20th Street (it opened in 1891 as a grocery saloon) will undergo a name change to Shotwell’s. In honor of the occasion, there will be beer specials all night long. The bar is open at 4:30pm Mon–Sat, and at 4pm on Sundays. Happy hour runs every day, with $1 off all beers on tap. 3349 20th St. at Shotwell, 415-648-4104.