September 2, 2008

Camber Lay wanted to give me a heads up about some new cocktails on the brunch menu at ~EPIC ROASTHOUSE~. One is titled Bacon & Eggs, made with pisco, lemon, egg whites, maple powder, and speck. As she put it, “It smells like breakfast and tastes like a yummy cocktail that will help any hangover.” Where do I sign? 369 Embarcadero at Folsom, 415-369-9955.

Since we’re on pisco (well, not ON it, but you get what I mean), I got a sneak peek at the soon-to-open and 90-percent-completed ~PISCO LATIN LOUNGE~ this Sunday, just before the Slow Dinner fundraising event at neighboring Destino. In the crowd was Vandana Shiva, plus other international food activists, such as Debra Koons Garcia (director/producer of The Future of Food). Oh yeah, the bar. It’s long, and the space is looking sleek and spiffy. There’s a pressed tin ceiling, a cool light fixture in the front, and Carrara marble floors. I also got to check out the historical flipbook about pisco, painstakingly researched and created by pisco fanatic (and author) Guillermo Toro-Lira. The opening will be a few weeks out, I will keep you posted. 1817 Market St. at Octavia.

On Sunday September 14th, the Jug Shop and their mates at South Food + Wine Bar are hosting the traveling ~COUNTRY VINTNER WINEMAKER TASTING~ at South on the first stop of their U.S. tour. Guests will be treated to a tasting of very diverse wines from five wineries, with nibbles from South. Visiting winemakers include Rob Gibson, Loose End, Barossa Valley, SA; Nick Stacy, West Cape Howe, Denmark, WA; Barbara Lawson, Lawson's Dry Hills, Marlborough, NZ; Peter Saturno, Longview Vineyard, Adelaide Hills, SA; and Liz Mencel and George Winkler, Picardy, Pemberton, WA. Click here for more on their bios. Tickets are $35 per person, and space is limited. RSVP to South at 415-974-5599. 4pm–6pm. 330 Townsend St. at 4th St.

Over in the East Bay is a ~MULTI-WINERY FALL OPEN HOUSE~ on Saturday September 13th. This green event is an eco-friendly wine tasting where attendees can taste newly released wines from four wineries in two locations for one admission fee. A Donkey and Goat will be pouring its releases at its winery (2323B Fourth St. in Berkeley) alongside dept. C Wines. Just a few blocks away at Eno Wines (805 Camelia St. at 5th), attendees can taste releases from Eno Wines and Broc Cellars. As part of its BYOG (Bring Your Own Glass) promotion, attendees who arrive at either location with their own glass will receive a 40% discount on admission. Regular priced entry to the open house is $25 and includes a souvenir glass. BYOG and receive entry for $15. There will also be some eats. Details on addresses and more here.

On Tuesday September 16th, ~MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY~, 1800 Tequila and Tres Agaves are having a big party, with discounted margaritas, shots, and tacos from 4pm–8pm. There will also be a tasting/pairing dinner with Gran Centenario Tequila at Tres Agaves on September 18th (tickets are $75). 130 Townsend St. at 2nd St., 415-227-0500.