November 10, 2015 - This week's tablehopper: I'm so ready for a timeout.

This week's tablehopper: I'm so ready for a timeout.                    

1760’s red bell pepper and cucumber Bloody Mary with sriracha, lemon, thyme, and SKYY Vodka. Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Hola, amigos! I want to thank you all SO MUCH for voting for me these past few weeks for the Time Out Win the Ultimate New York Life contest. I am still waiting for the results. Nope, no pressure, no anxiety, no nerves over here! (Yeah, right.) I’m about to crawl out of my skin! Every email or phone call that comes in is making me jump like I’ve had five cups of coffee. Anyway, I really hope to be sharing some great news soon, because no one can top you guys, you’re such an amazing community! Mwah!

Meanwhile, this is the last tablehopper issue you’ll see for a couple of weeks! I’m leaving for Mexico City this weekend (my first time!) for a week—thanks to all of you who sent over such great tips! We’ll be back in your inbox Thanksgiving week, on Tuesday November 24th. So publicists and people who pitch me, please don’t send anything over for any events unless it’s happening after November 24th, thanks. And since we are running our Thanksgiving post today, that’s all folks! No more turkey news, please and thanks. Gobble gobble.

One project I’m looking forward to covering when I return is the opening of Del Popolo, which officially opens Tuesday November 17th, but I’d say curious pizza-loving people should swing by this weekend for their soft opening (in the evenings).

And something you don’t want to dillydally on is getting tickets for this amazing Champagne Henriot Chinese banquet dinner I am hosting at Great China on Sunday December 6th! The menu and pairings are over the top, check it out. Would be great to celebrate the holidays with you! Tickets just went live. Pop!

Thanks to everyone who came to the tablehopper and Campari America Filipino-inspired boozy brunch on Sunday at 1760! It was all SO delicious. Take a look at the photo album here. Aperol Spagliatos and crab fat congee with crispy pork and Green Cardamom Fizzes, yes to all of it! Be sure to swing by 1760 for brunch soon, it’s tops.

Okay folks, keep crossing your fingers for me, and I look forward to seeing you when I am back from DF! You can follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! There will be taco pics. Heh.

Saludos! Marcia Gagliardi

the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

Join tablehopper and Champagne Henriot for a Chinese Banquet at Great China

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT, THANKS EVERYONE. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE RESTAURANT, THERE AREN’T ANY MORE TICKETS, SORRY. STAND BY FOR FUTURE TABLEHOPPER EVENTS!

Anyone who knows me knows how much I j’adore Champagne (just doing my part to delay the onset of dementia and improve spatial memory—like, where’s my glass?). And I also love any excuse to head to Berkeley for the extraordinary double-skin dish and Peking duck at the Yu family’s inimitable GREAT CHINA, open since 1985, which also offers some of the best wine selections of any Chinese restaurant around. So let’s put it all together and have a fabulous dinner party, right?

I’m thrilled to announce I will be hosting a special Sunday banquet supper at Great China (my first tablehopper supper in the East Bay!), in partnership with the Champagne Henriot, on Sunday December 6th. Champagne Henriot is one of the oldest family-owned and family-managed Champagne houses (founded in 1808!), currently in the eighth generation with Thomas Henriot. James Yu of Great China sometimes pours Henriot by the glass, and it pairs so well with their many elegant (and often delicate) Shandong-rooted dishes (read more in my review here). Also elegant: Henriot’s house style, which is driven by Chardonnay, with long lees aging (it’s rich and focused, with elegance and finesse). Get excited for a night of tasting some gorgeous cuvées!

Take a look at our event’s extensive menu, which highlights many of Great China’s specialties. And we’ll be pouring the Champagne Henriot selections en magnum, always a special treat.

First Course Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain Fish Dumplings, Salt & Pepper Prawns, Zhen Jiang Spareribs, Double Skin

Second Course Champagne Henriot Brut Rosé Peking Duck

Third Course Champagne Henriot Blanc de Blancs Steamed Surf Clams with Garlic Rice

Fourth Course Champagne Henriot Brut Millésime 2006 Ginger Scallion Crab with Noodles

Final Course Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain Cumin Lamb, Ant Climbed the Tree, Walnut Prawns, Snow Pea Leaves with Century Eggs, Guo Ta Tofu, Jasmine Rice

You won’t want to eat much that day, because this supper is a tour de force! We’re going to start at 5:30pm, and to be clear, it will be served family style. This is a banquet!

Tickets for the night are only $70, inclusive of tax and gratuity. (And since it’s the holidays, I will be making a donation to the SF-Marin Food Bank with some of the proceeds.) Hop to it, and I look forward to feasting and drinking exquisite Champagne Henriot with you!

Also worth noting: since we are going to be drinking, anyone coming from SF will be happy to know that the Downtown Berkeley BART station is less than four blocks away.

               Sunday Dec  6, 2015 5:30pm $70 more info

Great China            - 2190 Bancroft Way, Berkeley - 510-843-7996

LA's Erik Sun Opening Two Restaurant Projects Soon in San Francisco

By Dana Eastland. This is some pretty cool news! Los Angeles-based food personality and forager Erik Sun has filed permits for two restaurants in San Francisco. Hoodline caught the news and mentions that there are two separate projects under way: ARSENAL and THE HUNTED. Based on some social media stalking, it looks like Arsenal will be all about fresh-caught seafood and noodles, while The Hunted will focus on wild game.

Sun is an interesting personality: he writes a blog, The Pursuit of Food and is a hunter, sport fisher, and forager, as well as a partner and sometime chef at Bestia in Los Angeles. He told Hoodline that the first of the restaurants would open in early 2016 and the other next fall, though a Facebook post hints that Arsenal could be open as soon as February. We’ll update as we hear more! Arsenal: 715 Brannan St. at Harriet. The Hunted: 445 Harriet St. at Brannan.

Openings: Academy, Chica, and Piccolo Forno

By Dana Eastland. As reported earlier this year, there are changes afoot at the former Pizza Inferno on Fillmore. The New Fillmore reports that it’s now softly open as ACADEMY, from chef Nick Pallone and Peter Fogel. They’ve revamped the space, giving it a more open feel, with reclaimed wood tables and an open bar, plus they’ve added a wood-fired oven for Neapolitan-style pizzas. The menu is fun and seasonal, with a section of snacks, cured meats, vegetables, pizzas, and heartier main dishes. There are also 24 beers on tap and a selection of wines. Basically, it’s the perfect before-movie spot, with its location a block from the Sundance Kabuki. 1800 Fillmore St. at Sutter, 415-775-1800.

There’s a new place for breakfast and lunch now open near Levi’s Plaza. It’s called CHICA, and as Hoodline originally reported, it’s a takeout window from chef-owner Maria Esquivel, who has been running a booth at Fort Mason’s Off the Grid. The food is California with Latin influence, or as Esquivel puts it, “American comfort, Latin attitude.” There are polenta bowls, Mexican-style rice bowls, and tortas, plus daily changing soups and drinks including coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-2:30pm. 120 Green St. at Battery, 415-757-0510.

PICCOLO FORNO, the new, casual addition to North Beach from the Ideale crew we reported on last month, is now open. Hoodline notes that the new spot opened softly on October 28th and is serving pizza, salads, espresso, pastries, and antipasti all day. Right now, they are waiting on their pizza oven, so they’re closed today but moving forward, hours are daily 10am-10pm. 725 Columbus Ave. at Filbert.

Cala Now Serving Tacos for Lunch at Tacos Cala

Exciting things keep happening at CALA: today Gabriela Cámara and her team opened for lunch during the week. The back-alley taco spot is called Tacos Cala and is in the back of the restaurant (enter through Hickory Street).

The menu is focused on tacos de guisado, with three different options—meat, vegetarian, and vegan—that will rotate daily. The tortillas are made of corn that is nixtamalized in-house. There will also be aguas frescas, iced horchata coffee, and those who want to hang out at the standing table can order bottled beer and wine by the glass. Hours are Mon-Fri from 11am-3pm. Enter on Hickory Street (between Franklin Street and Van Ness Avenue).

Cala            - 149 Fell St. San Francisco - 415-660-7701

Chino Now Closed in the Mission (Dang It)

I was sorry to hear over the weekend that CHINO was going to be closing, especially since I was really digging the new direction chef-partner Ron Pei was taking the menu, and Danny Louie’s cocktails were killing it. (Well, it wasn’t for lack of trying—the journey of perfecting the soup dumplings was notable in and of itself.)

SFist was first to report the closure, which happened yesterday (Monday). For now, owner Joe Hargrave says they are going to use the space for private events and pop-ups, and an entirely new concept will be coming in 2016. We’ll keep you apprised.

Chino            - 3198 16th St. San Francisco - 415-552-5771

Updates in Pop-Up Land: Rice Paper Scissors, Aina to Dogpatch, Sneaky's to Southpaw BBQ

Fans of the banh mi and pho from Rice Paper Scissors will be sorry to hear that Valerie Luu and Katie Kwan are ending their daytime pop-up at BRICK & MORTAR MUSIC HALL—the last day will be Friday November 20th. The good news? You can still catch them for dinner every Thursday at Mojo Bicycle Cafe. Also, the ladies are moving into a new kitchen, which has an event space, so look out for some special dinners in the future! They want to focus on finding their own space down the road, and you should also know that they are available for catering (hello, DIY Pho Bar).

Hawaiian brunch pop-up (and guava malasada pushers) Aina posted on their Facebook page that they are opening in a space in Dogpatch in 2016. Fantastic news! And according to some ABC application activity, it’s going to be in the former Ensoleillé (previously Cup of Blues) location. Stand by for updates in the new year! 900 22nd St. at Minnesota.

Fans of the Carolina-style barbecue from Sneaky’s BBQ will be pleased to know that chef Ben Thorne is now serving the Sneaky’s menu full-time at SOUTHPAW BBQ. Vinegar-based pulled pork, dry-rub ribs, brisket, and chicken are all available—they use hormone- and antibiotic-free meats. Vegan options are also offered, and some Southpaw classics will remain on the menu, including the smoked pulled goat, the Natchez, grit cake, and fried pickles. Come by for some house-brewed craft beers, a cocktail, or a nip of whiskey from their extensive (100-plus) list. And if you come by for Nonprofit Mondays, 10 percent of Monday food sales will be donated to the nonprofit of the month.

Southpaw BBQ            - 2170 Mission St. San Francisco - 415-934-9300

Lunch at El Capitan, Brunch at Salumeria and Dosa, Late Night at Lasan

By Dana Eastland. SoMa bar and restaurant EL CAPITAN is adding lunch to their lineup, as of today, November 10th. The new lunch menu includes options like their fry bread tacos with a variety of seasonal toppings, a selection of easy-to-share small plates like chicken wings with Cholula-ancho glaze, roast jalapeño crema, and cilantro, plus popular lunch dishes from the adjacent Carafe Cafe—think a pressed Cuban sandwich, jerk chicken wrap, and squash and kale salad. Lunch hours are Mon-Fri 11:30am-4pm. 1123 Folsom St. at Langton, 415-525-3676.

The Mission’s SALUMERIA is now serving weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-6pm. The setup is casual and similar to their weekday lunch arrangement—you order at the counter and sit in the courtyard at Central Kitchen or one of the outdoor café tables. The menu includes egg dishes like scrambled eggs with pumpkin, goat cheese, spinach, and chile; or head in a sweet direction with apple cider donuts or the bacon-walnut sticky bun. There is also a selection of brunch cocktails, including the Pacifica and a build-your-own mimosa situation with a carafe of sparkling wine, a half carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice, garden herb syrup, and bitters. 3000 20th St. at Florida, 415-471-2998.

tablehopper favorite DOSA ON VALENCIA has launched weekend brunch, with lots of dishes including a flavor-packed Kerala egg curry served with chapati; traditional South Indian breakfast items like pongee, a savory rice porridge with lentils, ghee, and chutneys; or the egg and cheese dosa, their classic dosa filled with eggs, cheddar, and mozzarella. There are also brunch cocktails like the Tincho Spritzer with sparkling wine, lemon, mint, and green cardamom or the Hibiscus Sparkler with masala spice. They’re also importing coffee from South India to keep you buzzing all through your meal. Brunch hours are Sat-Sun 11am-3:30pm, only at the Valencia Street location.

Looking for some late-night street food in the Marina? LASAN has you covered with their Late Night at Lasan menu. It’s available on Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm-2am and is being cooked and served right on the sidewalk. The special menu includes snack items and finger foods, as well as naan wraps stuffed with chicken tikka, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, and cucumber with mint and tamarind chutney and a choice of hot sauce for $8. Or go the fully fried route with a samosa, fries, and pakora combination for $6. Plus, beers are only $4 with food purchase. 3145 Fillmore St. at Pixley, 415-346-4900.

Get Cozy with Sunday Feasts at RN74

As of this week, RN74 is offering a pretty sweet deal on Sunday evenings. Their new Sunday feast includes eight to ten dishes served family style, for just $45 per person. Right now, the menu is inspired by Burgundy, but the regional inspiration will change every two months. The dinner menu will include three appetizers, followed by main dishes with sides, and a seasonal fruit tart with housemade ice cream for dessert. A $10 supplement will always be available, for those wanting to try a more luxurious dish. Wines from the highlighted region will be selected to pair with the food, available for $35 per 500-ml carafe.

RN74            - 301 Mission St. San Francisco - 415-543-7474

More Fall Cookbook Parties, Pizza Parties, an Autumnal Feast, Hot Pot Night, and 12 Nights of Chocolate

You ready to make some hard decisions? Because these cool events will all be vying for your attention. Let’s start with the chance to enjoy some Russ & Daughters toppings on Tartine Bakery malted rye bagels as you thumb through the Mission Chinese Food Cookbook. Yes, you can enjoy a Super Heebster, at MISSION CHINESE FOOD here in SF! Events are on the mornings of Sunday November 15th and Monday the 16th from 10am-3pm ($60), or come by for dinner on the 16th and enjoy a sneak preview of the new MCF menu, cookies by Momofuku Milk Bar, and beer from Tiger Beer ($85). Read more and get tickets.

Pizza fanatics: Franco Pepe of Pepe in Grani (in Caiazzo, Caserta), lauded as a maker of the best pizza in the world, will be appearing at both A16 ROCKRIDGE (on November 16th, make reservations here) and A16 San Francisco (on November 17th, resos here) as a guest pizzaiolo, serving a limited run of 100 pies each night. He’ll be importing many of his staple ingredients so that the pizzas meet his specs, an amazing opportunity for those who can’t travel to Campania!

Tuesday November 17th, BAR AGRICOLE is hosting an Autumnal Feast on the Patio with Full Belly Farm! Drinks and snacks at 6:30pm, dinner at 7pm, which includes a whole roasted lamb served family style, with collards, kabocha squash, pomegranate, almonds, and more. $99.

Warm up with friends on Friday November 20th at E&O KITCHEN & BAR’s first Bottomless Hot Pot Dinner from chef Sharon Nahm, which will include a Lagunitas beer pairing and tasting with certified cicerone Tim Decker from Lagunitas Brewing Company. There will also be appetizers and dessert. Tickets for the evening event are $85 (including tax and gratuity) and can be purchased online here. 6:30pm.

Lastly, get your tickets for some of these DANDELION CHOCOLATE 12 Nights of Chocolate events with top SF chefs (the events are sweet and savory, and all feature Dandelion’s chocolate). Best of all, proceeds go to benefit the SF-Marin Food Bank.

From the first night on Wednesday December 2nd with Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn), Traci Des Jardins (Jardinière), Belinda Leong (b. Patisserie), and Alan Murray (Jardinière) doing wine pairings, to an event with Stephanie Prida (Manresa), Shawn Gawle (Quince), Nick Muney (Coi) creating a three-course dessert menu, each one sounds pretty fantastic. December 13th is the finale, with Nicole Krasinski (State Bird Provisions), Mikiko Yui (State Bird Provisions), and artist-chef Leah Rosenberg doing a night of dinner bites, matcha, a spirited shake, bubbles, and more. Check out all of these amazing events and get your tickets now.

Good Food Awards Finalists Announced

By Dana Eastland. The Good Food Awards has announced the finalists for 2016 in all categories including spirits, beer, cider, and confections. The celebration of American food made with integrity culminates in January, when the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday January 15th at the Herbst Pavilion. Guests include Carlo Petrini of Slow Food, Alice Waters, and Nell Newman of Newman’s Own. Then, after the awards ceremony, don’t miss the awards gala, where the food will be available for sampling. Tickets to the ceremony are $120.

If you can’t make it to the awards ceremony, catch the marketplace on Saturday January 16th. The marketplace takes place at Fort Mason and includes the opportunity to try and purchase the winning products. Many of these items are not available in the Bay Area, so this represents a unique opportunity to try items from around the country. The marketplace runs from 9am-1pm and tickets are $5 per person. For entry at 8am, VIP tickets are also available for $20. Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd. at Laguna.

A Couple of Ways You Can Give a Helping Hand This Month

As we’re ordering turkeys, figuring out who is on pumpkin pie detail, and deciding once and for all on the best green bean side dish, let’s not forget there are a lot of people in our community who could use some help with their holidays. From now until December 31st, the SF-Marin Food Bank needs 500,000 pounds of nonperishable food to help provide 10 million meals during the holidays. (The SF-Marin Food Bank serves 225,000 people each year, which includes families, children, seniors, and individuals living on a low-income budget.)

Let’s share our good fortune to the people in our community who are struggling to make ends meet. There are many ways you can help: • Donating money: for every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide $5 worth of food. • Donating a turkey: the Food Bank hopes to provide 2,500 turkeys over the holidays. • Volunteering: shifts are available every day of the week. People are encouraged to sign up for January and February, one of the most difficult times to secure volunteers. • Hosting a food and fund drive. Registration is simple. Host a virtual drive or sign up to have a food barrel delivered to you.

You can find everything you need to know here, thank you for your help! And one more thing: if you can donate money by November 26th, Sutter Health has generously agreed to match your gift, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $50,000. That means your gift of $100 will double to $200, providing enough food for 600 meals. Fantastic.

Want to get something festive for your friends at work or for the kids coming to visit your house over Thanksgiving? How about a dessert with a purpose? For the eighth consecutive year, ONE MARKET restaurant is partnering with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to present the Gingerbread Wishes program. From now until November 30th, you can buy freshly baked gingerbread stars that come with a cookie decorating kit. Each kit costs $10 and includes housemade cookies from pastry chef Patti Dellamonica-Bauler, cream cheese frosting, sprinkles, and candy toppings. And 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. You can decorate cookies at the restaurant too!

One Market            - 1 Market Plaza San Francisco - 415-777-5577

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(Sponsored): SF's Cali Cool Leather Shop Basil Racuk Is Having a Party

San Francisco’s Basil Racuk shop is having their holiday event on Thursday November 19th from 6pm-9pm. Their signature style of global chic meets Big Sur is always on trend and made right here in their Mission shop and atelier.

News flash: they have pieces at Banana Republic stores nationwide for the holidays, so get something now before they blow up!

Kick your gift shopping and holiday parties into gear! The Basil Racuk holiday collection of new casual, evening, and premium styles is full of gorgeous royal colors and metallics matched up with signature saddle details. Also featured at the event will be new pieces from jeweler Lola Fenhirst and metal artist-turned-jeweler Miles Eastman.

Can’t make it on the 19th? Basil Racuk Shop SF is open for business seven days a week: Mon-Fri 2pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. Located at 3458a 18th St. at Valencia, San Francisco, 415-255-7457.

the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

Barbarossa Opening in North Beach

By Dana Eastland. BARBAROSSA, the bar moving into the former Bubble Lounge in North Beach, is opening next Thursday November 19th (although they are doing some soft opening nights with just cocktails right now). It’s from Bubble Lounge owner Eric Benn and Arash Ghanadan of Novela and has an old San Francisco vibe. Barbarossa means “red beard” in Italian and is a nod to the neighborhood’s Barbary Coast roots, as well as the area’s history as a red-light district.

The bar is helmed by Christina Cabrera (The Progress, 15 Romolo), who is looking to the history of cocktails in San Francisco with her beverage menu. There is a special emphasis on grog, the sailor’s beverage of choice in the 19th century, with a seasonally changing option (perhaps the bar answer on 2014’s porridge trend?). Currently, it’s apple, lemon, and ginger with your choice of spirit, topped with soda—in December, it will become cranberry and hibiscus. There is also a selection of 12 beers on tap, as well as several wines by the glass, including 7 sparkling options—the wide selection is a nod to the space’s past as the Bubble Lounge.

Eddie Lau was the consulting chef on the menu, which is designed for sharing and broken into four categories: From the Ocean; Leaves, Fruits, and Roots; Meats and Cheeses; and Desserts. There are plenty of fresh oysters available in the Ocean section, as well as seasonal ceviche and clams. The produce section includes harissa shrimp with Little Gems and avocado, or try the chile-garlic Brussels sprouts with charred scallion crema. In Meats and Cheeses, there are sausages (from Peter Temkin of Foreign Cinema/Show Dogs), a selection of cheeses, and a pastrami dish available either as a sandwich or a salad. Desserts run the gamut from lemon chiffon wedding cake (because sometimes you just want a good piece of cake) and dark chocolate cookies with Humphry Slocombe Secret Breakfast ice cream.

The space—designed by architect Jacek Ostoya of Gold Grenade—is 6,000 square feet and divided into four spaces: the main room and Bubble Room upstairs, as well as the Living Room and Outlaw Room downstairs. Throughout, there are nods to the building’s history as a jailhouse. There are metals touches including shackles and locks, against the exposed brick. There are also black leather banquettes, vintage-style red sofas, and hardwood floors. Hours are Mon-Wed 4pm-12am, Thu-Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 6pm-2am, and Sun 6pm-12am. 714 Montgomery St. at Washington, 415-434-4204.

Natural Cali Wines, Fort Point Beers, Imperial Stouts, Pinots, and Italian Wines Will All Be Poured at These Tastings

By Dana Eastland. Interested in natural wines made in California? It can be hard to find them, but you’ll be able to check out a bunch of them at Califermentation, a natural wine tasting fair on Saturday November 14th. It’s happening at Terroir Natural Wine Bar and Merchant from 2pm-5pm and includes wines from 30 different California winemakers, including La Clarine Farm, Coturri Winery, and Methode Sauvage. Tickets are $40 per person. 1116 Folsom St. at Langton, 415-558-9946.

To celebrate their new retail liquor license, BREWCADE is hosting a can release party with Fort Point Beer Company. Four of Fort Point’s beers will be available in cans, and you’ll be able to purchase them for $5 each for on-site consumption or $15 for a four-pack. Retail four-packs to go are $12. The party runs from 2pm-6pm, and moving forward, retail sales at Brewcade will be available until 10pm. 2200 B Market St. at 15th St.

This weekend is going to be a big one at THE TRAPPIST, where they are celebrating the incoming cold weather with their Imperial Stout Fest. There will be more than 20 stouts (and some porters) to try, from breweries both local and far-flung, including several European options. The event goes all day (they’re open 12pm-12:30am), and you can check out the beer selection right here.

Then, on Sunday November 15th, they’ll be collaborating on a special Friendsgiving Dinner with Allagash Brewing of Maine. There will be a big, family-style feast at their communal table, and Allagash will offer some rare beer selections, including the 10th Anniversary edition of Interlude, a barrel-aged Belgian-style beer that blends two beers, each fermented with a different yeast strain. Peep the menu and pairings here. Tickets are $75 per person. 460 8th St. at Broadway, Oakland, 510-238-8900.

FARALLON is hosting the 17th Annual PinotFest this month, with tasting menus all month long. You can sample flights until November 30th, catch the special tasting menu until November 21st, and it all culminates in The Great Big Bacchanalia on Saturday November 21st. There will be 60 pinot noir producers in attendance, pouring their wines and discussing them, along with appetizers from Farallon and other local restaurants. Tickets are $125 per person, and the party runs from 3pm-6pm. 450 Post St. at Powell, 4th Floor, 415-956-6969.

On Saturday December 5th, DONATO ENOTECA in Redwood City will host The Enoteca 100 Grand Italian Wine and Food Tasting Celebration. The tasting features more than 100 wines from Italy, including sparkling wines, Valle d’Aosta, Piemonte, Alto Adige, Friuli, and many, many more. In addition to wine, there will be prosciutto, speck, cheese, sausage, risotto nero, porchetta, and agnolotti dal plin. That’s right, there’s going to be a ton of food and wine to try—don’t miss it! The party runs from 1pm-4pm, with noon entry available for VIP ticket holders. Tickets are $55 per person, $70 for VIP. 1041 Middlefield Rd. at Main, Redwood City, 650-701-1000.

Get Uncorked Tonight

Wine lovers and cork dorks, set your DVR for the launch of the television show Uncorked, which premieres tonight (Tuesday November 10th) on the Esquire Network at 10pm/9pm central. The six-episode series is based on the documentary Somm and follows a group of talented sommeliers (Jack Mason, Yannick Benjamin, Jane Lopes, Dana Gaiser, Josh Nadel, Morgan Harris) as they prepare to take the Master Sommelier exam (keep in mind, only 230 people in the world have passed in 40-plus years). I’m extra-interested in watching it because I had the pleasure of traveling with Yannick Benjamin to Portugal last year, and the man is an inspiration, let me tell you. Tune in!

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Get ready to explore Healdsburg from your eco room home base at the h2hotel, a LEED-certified hotel that is all about eco-chic, which offers complimentary bikes, a pool, and a fireplace where you can kick back in the evening over cocktails. Dinner is a three-course prix-fixe menu for two at the stylish Spoonbar, where you can explore chef Louis Maldonado’s contemporary American cuisine.

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Whether you break up the prizes over three weekends, or decide to hop from place to place over a long weekend is up to you! Do note that accommodations and the dinners are for two people (alcohol is not included with the dining vouchers), and there are some blackout dates in the fine print. Good luck from all of us at UpOut, Liquor.com, Drink Me, BlackboardEats, and tablehopper!

the socialite

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

Our Annual Turkey Time Roundup

Event Info

Thursday Nov 26, 2015

By Dana Eastland. It’s time (maybe even past time) to think about Thanksgiving, which is galloping toward us like an aggressive turkey. To prepare for Thursday November 26th, we’ve rounded up a few places to dine out, as well as some hot tips for making your at-home Thanksgiving a success (minus the headache). If you’re eating out, check out OpenTable for reservations, and don’t forget to peek at our post from last year for some of our favorite choices.

Thanksgiving at THE CAVALIER means a choice of appetizers, entrées, and dessert, as well as family-style sides for the whole table to share (like pumpkin steamed pudding). It’s $80 per person, with wine pairings for an additional $50 per person. Check out the menu here. 360 Jessie St. at Mission, 415-321-6000.

RN74 is offering a four-course meal with choices (including chestnut soup) and optional wine pairings for $85 per person. Dinner is served 2pm-8pm; make reservations here.

For a dinner with all the fixings, PRESIDIO SOCIAL CLUB is your spot, with a turkey dinner complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce. The dinner is $60 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 415-885-1888.

Perhaps Thanksgiving with a view sounds nice? AMERICANO has you covered, with their three-course dinner menu. The menu offers plenty of choices for everyone (the butternut squash panzanella sounds great, and there’s prime rib if you really don’t want turkey) and costs $65 per person, $35 for kids.

Celebrate downtown style at BURRITT ROOM, where the classic space and three-course menu are sure to please. It’s served family style and costs $58 per person. 417 Stockton St. at Bush, 415-400-0561.

If you’re cooking at home, there are plenty of ways to make your life easier and your dinner more delicious. First, LUKE’S LOCAL can help you out with everything you need, from a fully prepared meal to turkey to pies (from Black Jet!) to flowers. Oh, and it’s all available for delivery. Score!

Speaking of helpful home hacks, DIN is bringing their easy, quality meals to your door this year with a special menu from chef Thomas McNaughton. There’s turkey, stuffing, risotto, and even pies from the fab Three Babes Bakeshop. Order everything you need right here, and use this link for a discount on your first order!

Grocery delivery is particularly handy this time of year, and GOOD EGGS is ready to help. You can reserve a turkey from BN Ranch and order any ingredients or prepared sides you might need. Oh, and don’t forget some pies from Three Babes and Black Jet Bakery!

OLIVIER’S BUTCHERY has the usual turkeys, of course, but also their turkey roti, which is stuffed, rolled, tied, and ready for the oven. There is also a brick turkey, butterflied and ready to cook in half the time of a regular bird. Or if you’re not going the turkey route (good for you, maverick), they can set you up with any other meaty needs you might have. 1074 Illinois St. at 22nd St., 415-558-9887.

We’d be remiss to talk about meat and not mention all the offerings at BELCAMPO MEAT CO., where you can order turkeys as well as a full turkey dinner with all the fixings.

For all you 510 folks, THE PASTA SHOP has you covered with their ready-to-go meals, available with or without the turkey (for vegetarians or those roasting their own bird). You can also order their sides and more. The whole holiday menu is right here, and you can order here.

You gotta have some spirits to keep the Thanksgiving spirit warm, right? Well, keep it classy with punch! NOVELA is offering a special Thanksgiving punch class on Wednesday November 18th from 6:30pm-8pm. You’ll learn about the history of punch, how to make your own, and even get to take home a special punch mix for your own celebration (just add booze). Tickets are $45 per person. 662 Mission St. at 3rd St., 415-896-6500.

Whatever you do for the holiday, remember to pause, give thanks, and offer gratitude for your table and your loved ones. Here’s to you and yours!

Support the Future of Food at Taste of the Bay November 18th

Event Info

Wednesday Nov 18, 2015 6:30pm–9:30pm $125 per person Information                        Metreon 135 4th St. at Mission

Support a new generation of chefs at San Francisco State University’s Hospitality and Tourism Department’s Taste of the Bay event on Wednesday November 18th. The evening, which is put on by students, takes place at the City View at Metreon and includes food from local restaurants like Café Claude, Hog Island Oyster Bar, and M.Y. China. Check out all the participants right here.

There will also be lots of local wines and both live and silent auctions. It all raises money for scholarships and activities at the school and helps hospitality students with many opportunities. Tickets are $125 per person, and the party goes from 6:30pm-9:30pm. 135 4th St. at Mission.

the starlet

Star Sightings in Restaurants (no photos please)

Grand Phone Slam

Noted tennis star, athlete, fashion designer, and all-around badass woman Serena Williams dined at Mission Chinese Food last Tuesday, and while she was there her phone was stolen. According to a post on Facebook, she sensed something was off about the fellow before he swiped her phone, and she chased him down Mission Street to recover her phone. Mashable even has a video of the incident! (Sidebar: who on earth would try to steal Serena Williams’s phone? Someone trying to win a Darwin Award, perhaps?)

Super Swan

Philanthropist and 1990s-era supermodel Christy Turlington enjoyed a meal at Swan Oyster Depot on Saturday night. According to SFist, she was in town running the San Francisco Marathon for her charity, Every Mother Counts. Werk.