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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

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-…

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…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 18, 2008

What’s Cookin’

November 18, 2008

I don’t even know where to begin with this weather—like, when did I move back to LA? And whoa, my convertible actually makes sense in San Francisco right now. It was truly magnificent to be up in wine country this weekend during such a bizarre heat wave. Spring…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 17, 2008

The Socialite

Say Oui or Non to Beaujolais Nouveau

NOT gamay grapes Love it, hate it, there are all kinds of events surrounding the release of ~BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU~ this Thursday—here’s a round up of events around town and beyond, celebrating it, or not!Â Grand Café is throwing a Beaujolais Nouveau party from 5:30pm–7:30pm.…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 17, 2008

The Socialite

Truffle Mania

White truffle-topped tortino from Farina. ~WHITE TRUFFLE SEASON~ is in full effecty wecty, and it’s reportedly a good year with cheaper prices, cheers to that. (I wish I could make my tablehopper column scratch ‘n’ sniff, wouldn’t that be cool?) I have rounded up a few restaurants…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 17, 2008

The Chatterbox

November 11, 2008

Okay, first things first: make room on your TiVo because this week is the first episode of ~TOP CHEF—SEASON FIVE~! Tune in this Wednesday night at 10pm on Bravo and watch our sole SF contestant, Jamie Lauren of Absinthe, who is in it to win it! Go Jamie! Another…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 11, 2008

The Lush

November 11, 2008

~ELIXIR~ in the Mission is getting rowdy. Now every Wednesday is the Flowing Bowl Happy Hour, with a batch of punch getting ladled until it’s gone. This Saturday November 15th, the bar is hosting a 5/150 party, celebrating five years of H’s current proprietorship, and 150 years…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 11, 2008

The Starlet

November 11, 2008

Now, this is what I call a star sighting. And it even happened twice! On Friday, Sinbad braved the long lines at Mama’s on Washington Square, and had a low-fat egg white scramble, and he also ordered the Swedish cinnamon French toast topped with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.…

Marcia Gagliardi • Nov 11, 2008