The Lush

Some bartender updates: Alcademics reports Joel Baker (Bourbon & Branch, nopa, and Burritt Room) is now the bar manager at TRES in SoMa. More details: “Baker told me he’d look into expanding the tequila program into other agave spirits including adding more mezcal and sotol. They’ll begin serving…

Lots of opportunities coming up to get your beer on—at brunch, in a beer-making class, and even on Valentine’s Day. Beerunch is back at ~PUBLIC HOUSE~ on Sunday February 12th, 11:30am-2:30pm, with a brunch-focused food and beer pairing menu. Some of the featured pairings are MateVeza…

This month is all about an abundance of Italian wines: just last week was The Golden Glass, and on Wednesday February 15th, the TRE BICCHIERI world tour makes its stop in San Francisco. For 2012, 375 labels attained the “tre bicchieri” status out of over 20,000 wines that were…

Burgundy lovers already have February 22nd-25th marked off on their calendars, when renowned sommelier Daniel Johnnes hosts his 12th annual LA PAULÉE in San Francisco and Napa Valley. There will be a variety of wine tastings and dinners highlighting more than 30 of the most sought-­after Domaines of Burgundy.…

Happy Birfday to DISTRICT in SoMa, which is turning five (yup, that’s five years of getting countless young professionals hooked up). As a thanks to patrons, during the month of February, all guests can order a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Champagne for just $5 (normally $20 a…

This Friday January 27th, owners Chris Lawrence and Anthony LaVia are kicking off ~SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING~’s grand opening weekend. House-brewed beers by Andy French include pale ale, IPA, porter, golden ale, and wit; coming soon are extra IPA and black lager (all beers $3-$5). The affordable menu of…

10 straight days of beer-filled festivities: that’s what you have to look forward to for SAN FRANCISCO BEER WEEK 2012, February 10th-19th. As always, the schedule is filled to the brim with beer tastings, beer release parties, and food pairing dinners all over town—and outside of town—so…

A few quick updates: first, swing by the bar at ~JARDINIÈRE~ this Thursday January 26th for a cocktail from guest bartenders David Lytle and Stephen Bassman from Frommer’s Travel Guides. They are serving dueling Manhattans ($9 each), and there is going to be a special pastrami slider, also $9.…

After reading this blog post that Ceri Smith of BIONDIVINO was opening a second business in Russian Hill, I heard a rumor that Boulette’s Larder was involved, so of course I had to give her a call. It ends up she is not planning to open a wine bar…

Last week I reported on the departure of Mauro Cirilli from Perbacco and barbacco, but I just learned that Becky Pezzullo (Bar Bambino, Reform Club) has been hired as the general manager and wine director for ~BARBACCO~. Current general manager Maria Eugenia Armando will be working side by side with…