I thought it was worth noting that if you buy your tickets for ~WHISKYFEST SAN FRANCISCO~ before September 15th, you get a $10 per ticket discount and the shipping is on them, an additional $10 savings. Ticket prices (until September 15th) are $95 for general admission and $140 for VIP admission (one hour early entrance); tickets are all inclusive. The event is on Friday October 16th, from 6:30pm–9:30pm at the San Francisco Marriott. I'll have more info to share on the event soon, but wanted to give you the heads up on the discount! Advance ticket sales only at maltadvocate.com or by calling 800-610-MALT.
The bar staff at ~RYE~ just got even more talent behind the stick: Jon Gasparini and Greg Lindgren have brought Marco Dionysos and Carlos Yturria on board; Marco will be working Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and Carlos will be there on Thursday evenings. Buckle up. 688 Geary St. at Leavenworth, 415-474-4448.
The ~JOY OF SAKE~ event returns on Thursday September 10th, and this time will be held at Yoshi's San Francisco. 100 gold and silver award–winning sakes from the 2009 U.S. National Sake Appraisal, including junmai, ginjo, and daiginjo labels will be available for tasting, including 49 not available in the U.S. Executive chef Shotaro "Sho" Kamio will prepare a menu with selections including Okinawa rock sugar–braised short ribs with peach compote and yellow onion veal jus; kakiage tempura fritters with fall vegetables, baby shrimp, and Monterey bay scallops; steamed halibut wrapped in konbu seaweed with "dengaku" sweet dark miso sauce; and wood burning–oven roasted American Kobe beef tri-tip with caramelized shallot teriyaki. $50 in advance; $60 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, click here or call 888-799-7242. 7:30pm–10:30pm. 1330 Fillmore St. at Eddy, 415-655-5600.
Twice a year, ~A DONKEY AND GOAT WINERY~ throws a big open house party to celebrate their newest wines. There will be six new wines to taste, plus there are always a few older bottles passed around, not to mention a sneak peek of what's to come with barrel samples. There will be live Brazilian-jazzy tunes from the Steve Bennett Trio, and Kevin Best from Oakland's B Restaurant and Bar will be manning the barbecue, showcasing grilled pork spare ribs, plus Comanche Creek farms heirloom tomato salad, Full Belly Farms corn grilled on the cob, coleslaw, and corn bread. 1pm–5pm. $20 in advance, or $30 at the door (cash only). Ticket includes a souvenir Riedel glass. Or save carbon and BYOG (glass) and get $10 off voucher for any wine purchase. Save $10 with advance tickets. 2323 B Fourth St., Berkeley, 510-868-9174.
And more very unfortunate news, a second RIP this month. I was very sorry to learn of the death of ~DOUG MURPHY~, a well-known bar owner in the Castro (Moby's, 440 Castro, and the newly opened Blackbird), who tragically passed away from swine flu at the age of 41. Here's more on the awful and unexpected circumstances from the BAR. Condolences to all of his colleagues, staff, friends, and family mourning their loss right now.
