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May 7, 2012 25 min read

May 8, 2012 - This week's tablehopper: dauntless.

May  8, 2012 - This week's tablehopper: dauntless.
Table of Contents

This week's tablehopper: dauntless.                    

The Dauntless, our Sunday charter to shenanigans. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Well, hello there. Are you out playing hooky? I’m sure we’re all thinking about it. Fortunately my weekend had me playing outside a fair amount, starting with a Saturday outing with my mother and sis to Out the Door on Bush for brunch (hello banh nam, banh cuon, and congee!), and then we caught the exhibit at the Palace of Legion of Honor, The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde 1860-1900—it’s very mom-friendly, if you’d like to take yours there this weekend! I also went to tour and visit Central Kitchen and St. Vincent that evening—you’ll see both projects in today’s chatterbox.

Sunday was an over-the-top celebration for my friend’s birthday: a group of us chartered The Dauntless, a 45-foot mahogany cruiser, for a ride on the Bay. We disembarked and picnicked in a field at Cavallo Point—with a spectacular view of San Francisco—and then hopped back on the boat for more cruising. It was pretty breathtaking to pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, a view I hadn’t seen before. Happy 75th birthday, Golden Gate Bridge!

More congrats are in order for all the nominees AND winners at the James Beard Foundation Awards last night, especially Boulevard for finally winning Outstanding Restaurant (after eight Susan Lucci-esque years of being nominated for the category!) and to Emily Luchetti, who was inducted into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. You can read who all the JBF 2012 finalists are here, which also includes the Book Awards, and more.

A few more things to note: first, May is National Burger Month—how convenient, a whole month. You’ll want to listen in to today’s episode of You Gotta Eat This on KGO Radio since I talk about where you can celebrate with some tasty burger deals around town.

More meat: did you know I am hosting a salumi tasting class with Peter Temkin (charcutier for Show Dogs, Foreign Cinema) on Friday June 15th at Ramekins in Sonoma? It’s going to be a fun (and informative) event: we’ll be walking you through the ancient craft of charcuterie, discussing the history and different styles of cured meats in Italy, Spain, and France, and giving tips on how to buy, serve, and store them at home. Sample local artisanal salumi, while sipping on some lambrusco. See you there!

Lastly, Thursday is Bike to Work Day, and I’d say it’s a perfect time to get around on two wheels with this gorgeous weather this week.

Ding-ding!

Marcia Gagliardi

(Marcia rhymes with Garcia)


the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

Presenting David Lynch's St. Vincent, Now Open in the Mission

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Owner David Lynch. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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An early-evening shot of the dining room. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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View from the back (by the kitchen) facing the front. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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Pickled eggs. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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English pea dumplings with sea urchin. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Saturday evening, I was fortunate to be invited to a preview/test dinner at ST. VINCENT, David Lynch’s New American tavern that opened last night in the Mission. Lynch, previously at Quince and Cotogna, has transformed the former Heart wine bar into a welcoming wine-centric restaurant. As soon as you walk in, you’ll note the hefty wine cabinet; the space has deep green walls, tables with wood benches (made from the previous tables at Heart), a communal table with a cherrywood top, a custom rolling cart, and seats at both the zinc bar and the open kitchen in the back (featuring white subway tile).

Running the full kitchen is chef Bill Niles, previously at Bar Tartine, who is integrating a bit of his East Coast sensibility into the seasonally influenced New American menu. You can start with some great bar snacks like the technicolor pickled eggs (either curry or beet, $3 each) and buttery hand-rolled pretzels ($5) with cumin and cultured butter. The roasted bone marrow ($14) was perfection, featuring the kick of smoked chiles—I was also happy to note the accompaniment of Bar Tartine bread (hey, former membership has its privileges)—and the Dungeness crab with Carolina gold rice ($14) is another tasty option. Larger plates include English pea dumplings ($22) with brown butter and sea urchin, while the showstopper dish is the house dry-aged lamb ($45), a bountiful plate for two, with leg, riblets, loin, tender farmer’s sausage (cooked sous vide), and turnips. Sure to elicit many a joke is the spotted dick ($7) for dessert, a British classic that is given a different rendition here. There will also be a good selection of cheeses to choose from.

As for the name, St. Vincent was the patron saint of wine and vinegar makers—you can read more here. Lynch’s wine list is what you’d expect from the James Beard Foundation Award-winning sommelier, wine expert, and author. There’s a list of 100 wines all priced under $100, plus an extensive reserve list reflecting Lynch’s signature passion for and expertise in Italian varietals. Guests also have the option of ordering half-bottles of wine; Lynch will open any bottle from the list of 100 and charge half the price—be sure to ask your server what’s already open.

Another exciting thing to note is certified Cicerone (beer sommelier) Sayre Piotrkowski (Monk’s Kettle) is on staff—he assembled a rotating selection of California craft brews on tap (from Firehouse Brewing, Linden Street Brewery, Pacific Brew Labs, and more) as well as a variety of international beers by the bottle, including large-format selections. Yeah, every sommelier and server in town is going to be calling this place a second home. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm.

St. Vincent            - 1270 Valencia St. San Francisco - 415-285-1200

Central Kitchen Opens in the Mission This Thursday

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A glimpse of the dining room’s wall panels, wood tables and chairs, and concrete floor. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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Chef Thomas McNaughton in the walk-in. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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Pastry chef Lisa Lu. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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Dessert: honey chiboust, pistachio streusel, Meyer lemon sorbet, dried apricot purée. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

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Salumeria is the corner building, and Central Kitchen surrounds it to the right and left. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

This past Saturday, I took a tour of CENTRAL KITCHEN, slated to open its doors for dinner this Thursday May 10th. Partner-chef Thomas McNaughton will be overseeing a menu of Northern California cuisine with refined plating and a natural sensibility, working with chef de cuisine Michael Gaines (Manresa, Gary Danko, In de Wulf in Belgium, and Mauro Colagreco’s Mirazur in France). McNaughton’s partners in the project, David Steele and David White, are also behind flour + water, just a couple blocks away.

All the sourcing will be Californian, working with upwards of 30 farms throughout the year. The menu will have small plates like raw halibut dressed with fennel juice and Meyer lemon topped with mint and poppy seeds; larger plates include spring lamb with carrot purée, dandelion, and roasted radishes.

There will also be a five-course tasting menu, which will feature three or four canapes to start, four savory courses, pre-dessert and dessert, plus mignardises and a treat to bring home, all for $79. Everything will be served on a range of plates by Heath to custom-made pottery to elegant bowls by Rene Ozorio. Bread and butter will be made in-house, and pastry chef Lisa Lu (Jardinière) will be making desserts like the one pictured here for Central Kitchen, in addition to Salumeria, and consulting for flour + water.

The layout of the restaurant is unique: there’s a 900-square-foot courtyard shared by Central Kitchen and neighboring Salumeria during the day. It features a partially retractable roof, planters by Paxton Gate, shou-sugi-ban wood slats (the Japanese technique of burning wood, then soaking it, and then oiling it), a water feature, concrete-heated floors with an acid wash that’s the same in the dining room, and a 12-seat communal table. The vibe is meant to strike that note of quintessentially Californian casual-elegance. The music will be all vinyl (don’t be surprised when you hear Led Zeppelin over the sound system).

The 36-seat dining room has doors that open up onto the courtyard, so there’s a real indoor-outdoor feeling, and is designed to be comfortable year-round. Paxton Gate is behind the look—the dining room’s walls are made of lightly colored cement fiberboards, and the ceiling is from a reclaimed school gymnasium floor. There’s a counter for five that faces the dining room, along with wood tables and chairs; the room is anchored by the custom kitchen in the back, designed by Alec Bauer. It’s unlike any other in the city, with a custom suite by Jade, special refrigerated storage for mise, a built-in circulator, and other special features. There’s also a wood-fired grill and rotisserie that will roast items like lamb and porchetta for Salumeria (more on that soon).

The dedicated pastry area in the back is spacious; there’s also a room upstairs for aging meats, an area for making sausage and breaking down whole animals, and plans to have a soft-bed garden on the roof with herbs and a greenhouse. The well-thought-out project is ambitious, exciting, and so very San Francisco.

John Paul Henaff is behind the beverage menu, featuring both old-world and new-world wines. There will be three beers and four wines on tap, with coffee service by Mr. Espresso. Dinner will be served nightly, 5:30pm-11pm.

Next week, I’ll share some info about Salumeria, opening in about three weeks. Details about Trick Dog (the bar by the Bon Vivants) and The Parlour by Humphry Slocombe are forthcoming.

Central Kitchen            - 782 Florida St. San Francisco - 415-826-7004

The Progress, a New Project from State Bird Provisions Due to Open Next Door

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Last year, when I was touring the STATE BIRD PROVISIONS site on Fillmore Street before it opened, I noticed a huge and empty space next door. Owners Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski mentioned that they had plans for this adjacent spot, but were going to keep quiet about it while they focused their energy on getting SBP up and running. Well, it seems The New Fillmore was reading the mayor’s notes very closely after a recent Fillmore District walkthrough, and so a little bit about the new project has been released.

The new project is going to be called THE PROGRESS, in homage to The Progress Theatre that was on the site from 1911-1925. Brioza said they are still finalizing plans and details are going to be released this summer about the Progress concept, so stand by for more. For now, Brioza says, “We’re having so much fun with State Bird Provisions, and look forward to having the opportunity to share more this summer.”

Now Open in North Beach: Bask

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The front room. Photo from Eater by Molly DeCoudreaux.

The fourth Basque restaurant to open in the North Beach and Jackson Square area is BASK, in the former Pickles/Clown Alley location. You can check out the menus on their site: lunch includes a variety of salads and sandwiches (ringing in around $14), plus a few entrées like a roasted chicken thigh ($19) “in a finger-licking Basque sauce (red and green bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes) with rice.” Dinner has a full array of hot and cold tapas (chorizo puffs, croquettes, stuffed piquillo peppers), in addition to an extensive list of larger plates. There’s also weekend brunch. Hours are Mon-Wed 10:30am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10:30am-11pm, Sat 10:30am-2pm and 5:30pm-11pm, and Sun 10:30am-2pm. 42 Columbus Ave. at Jackson, 415-392-BASK (2275).

Update on Tony Gemignani's Capos in North Beach

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Pizza master Tony Gemignani. Photo from Facebook.

Details from Tony Gemignani’s PR team about his upcoming CAPOS have been sparse, but leave it to Gianni Mola of North Beach to uncover some news and share it on his blog. He mentions: “A beautiful custom-built wood Art Deco bar is in place on the left just inside the front door and red leather banquettes sensually line the opposite wall in the dining area. … A while ago I noticed a wood-burning beehive pizza oven in the open kitchen.” Gianni also mentioned “Chicago deep dish and stuffed pizza” and that “pasta dishes will be baked and steaks roasted on a rack in the beehive to impart a smokey [sic] flavor.” The oven, however, isn’t actually a beehive oven; it just looks similar, but it is made in Naples. Am so looking forward to trying Tony’s version of a Chicago deep-dish pizza—and it sounds like it’s going to be soon. 641 Vallejo St. at Columbus.

Silks in the Mandarin Oriental Morphing Into Brasserie S&P

Details have been released about what is taking the place of SILKS in the Mandarin Oriental. The new concept is BRASSERIE S&P, opening on the lobby level (where the MO Bar was); the name takes its inspiration from the hotel’s location at Sansome and Pine Streets. The bar and lounge area will blend into the 90-seat restaurant, with floor-to-ceiling windows, leather banquettes, velvet lounge chairs, and “boldly designed carpeting” (although nothing will ever top Fifth Floor’s previous zebra carpet, heh). The bar will feature a curved Italian white marble bar top, where you can order off a menu of gin and tonics along with other cocktails; beverage manager Priscilla Young is behind the gin-centric menu. Look for a strong wine selection as well.

The new executive chef is Adam Mali (Nick’s Cove), offering a menu of “brasserie-style, San Francisco cuisine,” with dishes like baked Drake’s Bay oysters with ginger and hijiki butter and roasted Liberty Farms duck breast with cracked English peas and preserved Meyer lemon. Breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner will be served. 222 Sansome St. at Pine, 415-986-2020.

Shuffling the Chef Deck: News About New Hires

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Blackened, deviled Glaum Ranch eggs at Press Club; photo by Aubrie Pick.

Chef Chris Borges of Taste Catering is partnering with PRESS CLUB and helping to expand the menu. New additions include small bites like blackened, deviled Glaum Ranch organic eggs served with caramelized Hobb’s bacon, and fried Castelvetrano olives stuffed with eggplant purée, plus local duck and pinot noir sausage with Anson Mills farro verde and Heirloom Organics baby kale. The beer and wine program was extended last month, now amped up with more than 60 wines from around the world and 27 beers. Check out the menu and pairings here. 20 Yerba Buena Lane between Market and Mission Streets, 415-744-5000.

The Inside Scoop announced chef Robert Leva has left SALT HOUSE after five-plus years there, and will be opening his own restaurant. Taking his place is Vernon Morales, who has been at TOWN HALL since 2009; he’ll be making changes to the menu in a month or so. Taking Morales’ place is his second-in-command Max Hosey, who has been working with Morales at Town Hall.

Up in Pt. Reyes Station, chef-owner Christian Caiazzo of OSTERIA STELLINA has brought on Brian Bowen as chef de cuisine.

Press Club            - 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco - 415-744-5000

Tidbits: Openings, Closures, and Changes

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Say farewell to Guddu’s tandoori fish at Lahore Karahi. Yelp photo by Ziyan C.

Some quick updates around town: first, tablehopper tipster Jason B. let me know Fat Angel is going to be opening a second project in the neighborhood in the fall, CITY GRANGE. Stand by for more details soon.

Also in the neighborhood, PRIME DIP SANDWICHES on Larkin Street will be opening a second location at 1515 Fillmore Street in the former Jubili.

Jason also mentioned PHARAOHS MEDITERRANEAN SANDWICHES has opened in the former Juice Zone space on Geary, serving Mediterranean wraps, and it has an extensive Egyptian breakfast menu. 608 Geary St. at Jones, 415-292-7271.

Sad news: according to Eater, chef-owner Guddu Haider of LAHORE KARAHI has sold the business. Wah! Seriously bummed. Like, a lot.

The Richmond blog announces the opening of ONO GRINDZ, a new Hawaiian restaurant with a bit of a health-conscious approach. It sounds like the husband-and-wife team are on to something good. Open daily for breakfast and lunch 8am-3pm. 832 Clement St. at 10th Ave., 415-221-4746.

Speaking of mahalo vibe, chef Ravi Kapur and his LIHOLIHO YACHT CLUB crew have just announced new dates for the pop-up at CITIZEN’S BAND: Monday May 14th, 21st, and 28th. Per usual, the feast is $65, inclusive of tax and tip; beverages are additional. Just wait until you try the smoked tako (octopus) and Korean fried quail. Reservations are only being taken through OpenTable, and it’s best if you do it through the Citizen’s Band website. If you can’t find a time you want, keep checking back since it’s very common for last-minute cancellations (um, lame!).

According to permits, MEHFIL INDIAN RESTAURANT is opening a third location at 28 2nd St. at Stevenson.

More permit action: Grub Street and Eater notice the Palo Alto-based SLIDERBAR CAFÉ appears to be the next business to move into the former Criolla Kitchen and Bagdad Café space. 2295 Market St. at 16th St.

A couple months ago, I mentioned a business called V-105 (not to be confused with Alberto V05) was opening in the former Jackie’s Vinoteca space; the Scoop fills in with some details on who’s behind it. Chef-owner Daniel Martes (formerly Garibaldis) and his wife are making sandwiches on homemade bread, plus some salads, pastries, and more. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; hours will expand in coming weeks. 105 Valencia St. at McCoppin, 415-525-3799.

Food Truck News: Mission Dispatch and Slider Shack

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The Slider Shack truck. Photo from Facebook.

Starting this week, MISSION DISPATCH is a new spot that will be hosting a variety of food trucks during the week for lunch in the parking lot of the former City of San Francisco Sign Shop (where more than 200,000 of the city’s street signs were made for the past 30 years). There will be two trucks daily for lunch Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, like Bacon Bacon, Seoul on Wheels, Pacific Puffs, Chairman Bao, and Fogcutter. And this Thursday May 10th is a special day, since it’s the launch of the Old World Food Truck, joined by 
3-Sum Eats. Follow @MissionDispatch for updates. 1975 Bryant St. at 18th St.

My pal Jason B. let me know about the SLIDER SHACK truck, serving Hawaiian sliders like Kalua pork and the moa-fried slider (chicken breast with panko), $4 each. Parked Mon, Thu-Fri at 1st St. and Howard, and Tue-Wed at Spear and Mission. 10am-2pm.

Special Menus at Presidio Social Club, A16, Spruce, and More

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The gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

I have a bunch of special menus and guest chefs and more for your restaurant radar this month. First, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB will be featuring a seafood special highlighting products that were historically sourced from the San Francisco Bay. The roasted sturgeon with a bay-style chowder will be available for $17.50 at lunch and $27.50 at dinner, while bar manager Tim Stookey has put together a signature Golden Gate #2 cocktail, $7.50. Both are available throughout the month of May.

Starting Wednesday May 9th, A16 is launching a three-course, prix-fixe lunch menu for $20. Guests may select from two appetizer, entrée, and dessert options. May’s options include burrata for an app and pork meatballs for your second course, lucky you. Swing by Wed-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm.

Meanwhile, you’ll want to visit SPRUCE on Sundays for the return of Burgers & Burgundy. You can order the classic burger ($16) that comes on a housemade English muffin bun with pickled onions, zucchini, and remoulade, with add-ons like bacon for $2, an egg for $2, or smothered in Époisses for $4. You’ll be able to choose from three different selections of Burgundy available at $10, $16, and $25, or a flight of all three for $18. The selection will rotate each week.

Since May is burger month, BOURBON STEAK is offering a trio of burgers and a cocktail for $20. You can get the beef short rib burger with red cabbage and horseradish slaw, the Bourbon burger with house-ground Angus beef and Nicasio reserve cheddar, and the Kobe “Double Double” with 1001 Island dressing, all paired with the Kentucky Fats cocktail (orange-infused bourbon, bacon fat-infused Angostura bitters, and FAIR. goji liqueur). This special will be available in the bar and lounge at Bourbon Steak the entire month of May.

Over at COTOGNA, the Sunday Supper series is going to feature some guest chefs in May: chefs Katja and Caro Baum, Quince’s own visiting in-residence chefs from three-star Michelin restaurant Amador in Mannheim, Germany, on May 13th; chefs Evan and Sarah Rich of the pop-up dinner series Chefs’ Night Off and the upcoming Rich Table restaurant in Hayes Valley on May 20th; and chef Chad Colby, executive chef of Los Angeles’ Mozza Scuola, winner of L.A.’s edition of Cochon 555 on May 27th. The dinner is, as usual, $50 prix-fixe, but if you add the cheese course, it’s $58.

And on Wednesday May 16th, Berkeley’s CAFÉ ROUGE is going to be offering a Corsican-themed menu paired with Corsican wines from Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant. The menu will include squid stew, wild boar, spit-roasted lamb, Corsican classic figatullu sausage, and ravioli with nettles. Diners can order these selections à la carte, or go for the full menu. Wines will be offered by the half glass and glass, and by the bottle.

510 Openings: Nick's Pizza in Oakland, the Trappist Folks Have Something on Tap

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Nick’s Pick; photo courtesy of Nick’s Pizza.

Opening today in Oakland is NICK’S PIZZA, a new pizzeria from chef Nick Yapor-Cox. He grew up in North Oakland and has cooked in the pastry department back east at Eleven Madison Park and Butter, in addition to local spots Ici Ice Cream, B Restaurant, and Arizmendi Bakery and Pizzeria in Emeryville. Nick’s is offering “Oakland-style pizza,” with an organic sourdough crust, locally sourced and organic produce, humanely raised meats, and hormone-free cheeses.

The weekly changing menu will feature around five or six choices each day, with no customizable options; the opening menu includes a cheese version, pepperoni, a seasonal spring pizza, roasted mushroom, Nick’s Pick (prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, fresh and aged mozzarella, arugula, and Meyer lemon vinaigrette), and a vegan pie. Pizzas will come in one size and are available by the slice ($2.50 and up) or whole pie ($20-$30), along with some salads and desserts, too. Lunch and dinner will be available Tue-Sat 11am-9pm, with delivery after 5pm; eat in or take out. 6211 Shattuck Ave. at 62nd St., Oakland, 510-658-3903.

A reader writes in with this tidbit: “Wonder if you know anything about THE TRAPPIST’s second location in Rockridge next door to Southie. I noticed a sign on the door of an empty storefront next to Southie for a beer and wine license for a Belgian Bier Cafe LLC—which with a little sleuthing turns up the same address for The Trappist in downtown Oakland. I am guessing that Belgian Bier Cafe LLC is Trappist’s operating company name.” Yeah, and I should hire this tipster, right? I wish all tips came in so well researched, heh. Stand by for more when I hear back from a Trappist contact—it ends up the gents I need to speak with are currently in Belgium. 6309 College Ave. at 63rd St., Oakland.

And Berkeleyside mentions the opening of CRUNCH CUTLET & NOODLE, a casual spot with a menu of Korean and Japanese dishes ranging from cutlets to ramen to skewers. 2144 Center St. at Oxford, Berkeley.

Third Annual San Francisco Veggie Fiesta Is This Saturday May 12th

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On Saturday May 12th, vegans and omnivores alike should find a lot to like at the third annual San Francisco VEGGIE FIESTA. Taking place on the football grounds of Mission High School from 11am-3pm, this family-friendly food event features food trucks, raffle prizes, music, and dancing. There’s even more to like: admission and parking are free.

Food vendors include Alicia’s Tamales, No Worries (vegetarian Filipino food), and El Norteño food trucks. Plus they’ll have information and demonstrations for gardening, food-related games, music, dancing (including salsa dancing lessons), and children’s activities. The raffle to benefit the Nextcourse food and nutrition programs will give away dozens of prizes, many food-related, from Tante Marie, Noe Valley Bakery, 4505 Meats, and Millennium. The grand prize is a three-day trip for two to New Orleans, including a stay at the Sully Mansion B&B and an airfare voucher.

Veggie Fiesta is presented by and benefits Nextcourse, whose collaborative programs inspire people to purchase, cook, and eat healthier, locally produced foods. Nextcourse’s projects include a program for sustainable food preparation, eating, and living at Mission High School.

               Saturday May 12, 2012 11am–3pm Free admission more info

This Little Piggy Went to a Party

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Chop Bar’s La Caja China (photo from Facebook).

Whoa, if you love pork, you’ve got your work cut out for you with these upcoming events. Come hungry. For pork.

Five is the magic number when COCHON 555 returns to The Fairmont San Francisco on Sunday May 20th: five chefs, five pigs, five winemakers in a culinary competition and tasting event all about sustainably raised pigs. The five local chefs will prepare nose-to-tail menus created from heritage breed pigs, and you, the pork-eating attendees, get to vote for your favorite.

The chefs competing to represent SF at the Grand Cochon finale are Nicolas Borzee of Bouche, Traci Des Jardins of Jardinière, Jason Fox of Commonwealth, Anthony Strong of Locanda, and Thomas McNaughton of Central Kitchen, Salumeria, and flour + water. The five family wineries are Arnot-Roberts, Elk Cove, K Vintners, Matthiasson, and Scholium Project, plus additional wines from SALDO, Sokol Blosser, and Simi. Other libations include Anchor Brewing beer samples, Chinaco Tequila tastings, and the “Perfect Manhattan” Cochon 555 Bar with Daniel Hyatt of Alembic, featuring craft American spirits (Templeton Rye, Hirsch, Angel’s Envy, Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, and Hudson Whiskey’s Baby Bourbon, plus Luxardo, an interloper from Italy).

Attendees also get to check out a butcher demonstration from David the Butcher of Marina Meats and an interactive tasting contest with 2011 Grand Cochon winners Duskie Estes and John Stewart of Zazu. The event ends with a barbecue family meal by Magnolia Brewery and a 25th anniversary champagne toast to the James Beard Foundation.

4pm VIP, 5pm general admission. $125/person general admission; $200/person VIP (includes a welcome cocktail from The King’s Ginger, oysters, reserve wine tastings, artisan bacon from Black Pig Meat Co., and the chance to win a year’s supply of meat and cheese from Cochon 555 and Murray’s Cheese). The Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St. at California.

ADESSO is bringing back their Pig Parties, starting Sunday May 20th, 2pm-6pm. They’re spit-roasting porchetta, ham, and sausages, and serving them alongside seasonal side salads. Purchase tickets at dopo or adesso. $30 (beverages not included). 4395 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley, Oakland, 510-601-0305.

CHOP BAR and LINDEN STREET BREWERY are throwing their next Pig Roast on Sunday May 20th at 4pm at Linden, with Dynamic performing a blend of R&B, hip hop, and funk. In fact, every third Sunday of the month through September, Chop Bar will be roasting Marin Sun pigs in a Caja China roasting box, and each event will feature a different Bay Area band. Sides will include cornbread, watermelon, German potato salad, and housemade barbecue sauce, tomatillo salsa, and roasted vegetable mojo. $20, beer and wine additional. 95 Linden St. at Embarcadero W., Oakland, 510-812-1264.

Hang Out with Fun Cookbook Authors

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Just a couple quick shoutouts here: first, this Thursday May 10th, swing by GREEN APPLE BOOKS in the Inner Richmond for the launch party of Gabi Moskowitz’s The BrokeAss Gourmet Cookbook, 7pm. Free food and wine!

And on Saturday May 19th, you’ll want to head to PURCELL MURRAY in Brisbane for a demonstration class and signing with Alice Medrich for her new book, Sinfully Easy Delicious Desserts: Quicker Smarter Recipes. Info and more here. 2pm-4pm. $35.

Purcell Murray            - 185 Park Lane, Brisbane

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the sponsor

This Round Is On Me... (hey, thanks!)

(Sponsored): L'Aventure Languedoc: A City-Wide Wine Tasting Opportunity in May

Join the Languedoc Adventure. For the entire month of May, over 40 Bay Area restaurants and retailers will be hosting tastings, special dinners, and events, and pouring the unique wines of AOC Languedoc in the South of France. The Languedoc is France’s most dynamic wine region, where adventurous producers are redefining ancient traditions and producing some of the country’s most exciting wines. The region is blessed with some of the best conditions in France for winemaking. An auspicious blend of soil, wind, sun, and the Mediterranean Sea produces naturally healthy vineyards and results in a huge range of wines that are accessible and affordable discoveries for the U.S. wine lover. Join the Adventure for this unique opportunity to taste wines from France’s wine frontier.

The adventure continues on Monday May 14th at RN74, where the special chef’s tasting menu will feature all-Languedoc wine pairings. Here’s the menu: beef carpaccio, beets, rhubarb, pink peppercorn, and arugula with Domaine de Fontsainte Rosé Gris de Gris, Corbières, 2011; Liberty Farm duck confit, barley, spring garlic, duck sausage, and barrel-aged tamari with Domaine d’Aupilhac ‘Montpeyroux’ Coteaux du Languedoc; and a selection of cheeses by Soyoung Scanlan, apricot, feuille de brik, and mustard seed with N.V. La Tour Vieille Mémoire d’Automnes, Vin de Pays de La Côte Vermeille. Three courses; $55 for food, $35 add-on for wines; available 5:30pm-close.

For a list of other participating restaurants and retailers, visit LanguedocAdventure.com.


the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

Coming Up: Two Wine-centric Benefits

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Photo: © tablehopper.com.

A couple wine events doubling as benefits for your consideration. First, on Wednesday May 16th, is Wine Spectacular, a wine benefit and tasting for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at E&O TRADING COMPANY from 5:30pm-8:30pm. There will be at least eight wineries, including Arcadian, Gundlach Bundschu, Mill Station, One Hope, Seghesio, Pisoni, Vine Hill, and Alexander Valley Vineyards. There will also be passed apps and 100% of the $35 admission goes to LLS. Tickets.

And this Saturday May 12th is the third Divine Wine Extravaganza in Mill Valley, a meet, greet, and tasting with premier winemakers from Northern California, like Orin Swift, Etude, and more. Held at the Maserati/Ferrari dealership, there will also be a live auction and paired hors d’oeuvres provided by Nourish, plus live music. 7pm-10pm, $95. Tickets. Proceeds will benefit Marin School of the Arts Foundation and the Narada Michael Walden Foundation.

This Month: Bourbon Dinner at Jasper's

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Yup, it’s cocktail o’clock. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

From Thursday May 17th-Sunday May 20th, JASPER’S CORNER TAP & KITCHEN is hosting a bourbon dinner by chef Adam Carpenter; the cocktail pairings by bartender Kevin Diedrich will feature Jasper’s hand-selected Evan Williams bourbon. $50 for the prix-fixe menu with pairings; cocktails available à la carte for $10 each. Check out the full menu here.

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the socialite

Shindigs, Feasts, & Festivals (let's party)

Reservations Are Open for Dine About Town San Francisco

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 Event Info

Friday Jun  1, 2012 – Friday Jun 15, 2012 Info

DINE ABOUT TOWN is back for round two this year, with five new restaurants joining the fray from June 1st-15th. Reservations are already available, so take a look at the roster and start booking whenever you’re ready.

During DAT, more than 100 San Francisco restaurants (111 to be exact—oh yeah, there’s a whole lotta restaurants in this town, it’s why we live here) will offer a two-course lunch menu for $17.95 and/or a three-course dinner menu for $34.95. Here’s a bonus for card-carrying American Express members: earn a $15 statement credit when you dine three or more times during DAT at participating restaurants and pay with your Amex card, but you gotta register first.

The newbies this round are Americano, Fresca, Nordstrom Café Bistro, Sauce Belden, and Velvet Room, joining the January DAT newcomers 54 Mint, Aurea, Bottle Cap, Café Claude, Caffe Como Eatery, Claudine, Cupola Pizzeria, Eastside West, Il Fornaio, Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen, La Mar Cebichería Peruana, Presidio Social Club, Trace, TRES, and Txoko. They’re all joining the ranks of longtime participants like Ana Mandara, AsiaSF, B44, Cliff House, Cosmopolitan, E&O Trading Co., Forbes Island, Fringale, Grand Café, Le Colonial, One Market, Restaurant Lulu, and Scoma’s.

Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. À la carte menus will also be available. Reservations are encouraged. 415-391-2000.

Save June 8th on Your Calendar for SummerTini

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 Event Info

Friday Jun  8, 2012 6pm–10pm $125 Info/tickets                        The Galleria 101 Henry Adams St. at 15th St., San Francisco 415-487-3736

Consider this your calendar invite, go ahead and click “Yes” to attend. SUMMERTINI is back at the Galleria this year on Friday June 8th, 6pm-10pm, with chef Martin Yan as emcee. Proceeds benefit Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, which runs one of our favorite organizations, CHEFS—Conquering Homelessness through Employment in Food Service.

Attendees can look forward to food from more than 20 favorites, including 4505 Meats, A16, Ahwahnee Dining Room, AQ, Arka, Baker’s Dozen, Butterfly, Chez TJ, Cupola Pizzeria, Flavor, Hayes Street Grill, Home of Chicken and Waffles, McQuade’s Celtic Chutney, Millennium, The Moss Room/Academy Café, nopa and Nopalito, Sibby’s Cupcakery, The Plant Café Organic, ThirstyBear, and Zaré at Fly Trap. The evening also promises specialty drinks, wine, and a Scotch bar.

There will be live and silent auction packages (you won’t want to miss these!), especially of the food and travel variety, plus live jazz by 8 Legged Monster. Tickets are $125. Proceeds benefit ECS and CHEFS, a 12-month culinary training program providing classroom instruction, hands-on kitchen training in institutional and restaurant settings, and job counseling and placement in the food industry for homeless adults. Hope to see you there.


the sugar mama

Giveaways (get some)

(Sponsored): Time to Get Your Shaker On

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It’s Bloody Mary season. Make one for Mom. Make one for Dad. Make two for yourself.

Make one from Sublime Bloody Marys: 10 Boozy Ways to Greet the Day.

Try a bloody made with cucumber, celery, and green bell pepper juices, and you’ll feel downright virtuous, or lean the other direction and tipple a bloody made with bacon-infused bourbon.

Don’t have a shaker? Join Hang Time Press’ mailing list between now and May 31st for a chance to win an OXO shaker. One winner will be chosen at random and will also receive a copy of Sublime Bloody Marys.

Want a copy of Sublime Bloody Marys for Mom or Dad? Buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Apple iTunes.


the starlet

Star Sightings in Restaurants (no photos please)

I Hope She Ordered the Xiao Long Bao

A tablehopper reader spotted Jane Lynch (Best in Show, Glee) having dim sum this weekend at Yank Sing at Rincon Center.

Condi Calls the Corner Pocket

A little birdie told me Condoleezza Rice booked the private billiards room at Wayfare Tavern.

Bourdeaux and Belushi

More private room action: James Belushi booked the private wine room at El Paseo for dinner with friends last Friday night.

Joe, Can You Pass Me the Meatballs?

Joe Montana came in to Barbacco with his wife—they shared the salumi plate and the braised chicken thighs. The couple was reportedly “super-nice, and enjoyed their meal.”

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