March 24, 2009

~ZINNIA~ is hosting a happy hour Tue–Sat from 5pm–6:30pm, with half-off on wines by the glass and cocktails. 500 Jackson St. at Montgomery, 415-956-7300.

How timely, we’re still in the “r” months, and ~DISTRICT~ is now offering $1 oysters every day during happy hour (4pm–6pm on the weekdays, and 5pm–7pm on Saturdays)! 216 Townsend St. at 3rd St., 415-896-2120.

~LAÏOLA~ has just hired Brooke Arthur (a talented bartender from Range) to consult on the bar menu and work behind the bar once a week. 2031 Chestnut St. at Fillmore, 415-346-5641.

Cow Hollow folks, you should note that ~SPUNTINO~, the cheese shop offshoot from Ottimista, now has their retail wine and beer license. The majority of wines are priced at $20 or less, with some for only $10, ranging from Italian wines, to French, Spanish, and California wines, and even some from Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. 1957 Union St. at Buchanan, 415-931-6410.

A tablehopper reader wanted to point out that ~ADESSO~, the new project from the folks at Dopo, is hosting quite the happy hour, offering free food with drinks from 5pm–7pm Mon–Sat. As the reader noted, “Not just any food either, but a substantial survey of the house-made salumi solo and in small sandwich and toast form. They also repeat this in the evening at 10:30pm for an industry happy hour.” 4395 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley, 510-601-0305.

In case you’re curious about some of the treats at Adesso, some of their salumi will be at a ~DONKEY AND A GOAT’S~ open house this Saturday March 28th (along with some other edibles). Ten wines will be poured. The $20 admission includes a souvenir Riedel glass that you can keep, or BYOG (bring your own glass) and come in for $15, cash only at the door. 1pm–5pm. 2323 B 4th St. at Bancroft, Berkeley, 510-868-9174.

On Saturday April 4th, ~THE EAST BAY VINTNERS ALLIANCE~ is going to host the 2nd Annual Passport to the East Bay Wine Trail. Fourteen wineries, some of which are not normally open to the public, will be pouring at seven locations that are within ten miles or so of each other. The participating wineries include Adams Point, Andrew Lane, Aubin Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Eno Wines, Irish Monkey, JC Cellars, Periscope Cellars, Prospect 772, Rosenblum Cellars, Stage Left Cellars, Tayerle Wines, Two Mile, and Urbano Cellars. Each location will offer food to go along with the tasting, and some will provide entertainment. Participants will receive a passport booklet detailing all the wineries along with a souvenir glass. $30 (if you purchase your tickets online here). When you visit the website, you will choose your starting location, allowing you to map your path for the day. You can also buy tickets for $45 at the door at the seven host wineries. (Designated drivers pay only $10 to encourage responsible drinking.) 12pm–5pm.

One of my favorite mother-and-son duos, ~JOYCE AND EVAN GOLDSTEIN~, are hosting an event, Perfect Pairings, at Draeger’s Cooking School in San Mateo on Thursday April 16th. Explore three varietals of wine, learn which foods pair well with them, and enjoy tastings of food and wine partners. On the menu: dry riesling and baked rockfish with spicy peanut sauce; syrah and pork chile verde; and sparkling wine and ricotta cake with berries. Demo at 6:30pm, $65. 222 East Fourth Ave., San Mateo, 650-685-3704.