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Subscribe to tablehopper and discover why it’s a must-read, insider newsletter for anyone who lives to eat in San Francisco, for 19 years and counting. Every Tuesday, columnist and curator Marcia Gagliardi serves up the latest SF Bay Area restaurant and bar news, events, culture tips, travel guides, and more.

The Wino

Duggan McDonnell on Repeal Day

Duggan McDonnell is a partner in the Latin cocktail lounge Cantina, an educator, consultant, and a culinary boozehound who says, "America: love it or leave it!" Repeal Day: The Fight for Your Right to Party This Friday, December 5th, marks the 75th Anniversary of one of the most…

Marcia Gagliardi • Dec 01, 2008

The Regular

Katia's Russian Tea Room

You know when you have a place you want to try out that has been lingering on your to-try list foh-evah? KATIA'S RUSSIAN TEA ROOM has been gathering dust on my list for years. Glad I finally took out the feather duster and went to check out this…

Marcia Gagliardi • Dec 01, 2008

The Chatterbox

November 25, 2008

Attention drinkers, eaters, bartenders, and chefs: on Tuesday December 9th, I will be putting on a chocolate and cachaça cocktail-and-food competition at Rosewood in North Beach from 6pm–8pm. The event is celebrating the final month for entry submissions for Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker and TuttiFoodie.com's ~CHOCOLATE…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 25, 2008

The Starlet

November 25, 2008

Supermodel Christy Turlington enjoyed the shrimp Louie salad and Bradley’s famous butterscotch pudding at Yankee Pier in Lafayette on Friday with her mother and two children. Damon Wayans had lunch at Scala's on Saturday solo. He had a Caesar salad and a bowl of pasta. Michael J.…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 25, 2008

What’s Cookin’

November 25, 2008

Woo hoo, it’s a short week! And this will actually be a short tablehopper issue since my fab designer is traveling, and asked me to keep this one brief. Which is just as well, because I’m still in a food coma from the early holiday party I attended…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 24, 2008

The Socialite

Meat the Rancher

It’s time for a ~PIG HOOTENANNY~, and not just any pig, but SOME PIG! Sam Mogannam of Bi-Rite Market says, “Come meet Jude Becker from Becker Lane Organic Farm in Dyersville, Iowa. Bill Niman (formerly of Niman Ranch, now of BN Ranch) is now representing pork exclusively from Jude’…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 24, 2008

The Wino

Ian Becker on Wines for Thanksgiving

Ian Becker has worked in the restaurant industry for much of the past 15 years, and is currently the manager of Arlequin Wine Merchant, the sister store of Absinthe Brassiere and Bar in Hayes Valley. Ian’s interest in wine began as a waiter getting through undergrad while studying journalism.…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 24, 2008

The Chatterbox

November 18, 2008

So, let’s get to some news around town. I heard that Jessica Gorin is no longer the executive chef at ~BAMBUDDHA LOUNGE~, and is now at Thirsty Bear in SoMa. She will be launching a new menu there shortly, stand by. In the meantime, I didn’t hear back…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 18, 2008

The Lush

November 18, 2008

Tomorrow, Wednesday November 19th, is the eighth annual ~WINES TO GO WITH YOUR THANKSGIVING MEAL EVENT~ at William Cross Wine Merchants. The wines to be poured are: 2005 Josmeyer Les Folastries Gewurztraminer Alsace; 2007 Isarco Kerner Sudtirol-Alto Adige; 2007 Domaine Amido Les Amandines Tavel; 2007 Domaine de Colette Beaujolais-Villages; 2006…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 18, 2008

The Starlet

November 18, 2008

Tiffani Faison of Top Chef was spotted hanging out at Elixir. More Top Chef-related news (’tis the season): Sandra Oh came into Absinthe on Saturday, and had the frisee with duck egg, the baby romaine with white anchovies, and the wild mushroom pappardelle—she told the server she loved it…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 18, 2008