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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 Lush

Otis

~OTIS~ is going through a 2.0 kind of makeover, and how timely, it’s just on the brink of its two-year anniversary. Starting July 11, Otis will be offering a daytime café setting, with outdoor seating in the alley (about 20 seats) plus the option to sit indoors as…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 26, 2007

The Starlet

June 26, 2007

Robin Williams brought Billy Crystal to Jardinière for dinner on Saturday. Robin had the red wine braised beef short ribs with horseradish potato puree and herb salad (no word if he gave the various items their own names and voices), and Billy had the rib eye steak with fingerling potatoes,…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 26, 2007

What’s Cookin’

June 26, 2007

Hey, thanks to everyone for sending NYC tips my way—I officially need to clone myself and get a cow’s stomach (i.e. four) to make this all happen. Oh, and a sugar daddy wouldn’t hurt. Anyway. I can’t wait—leaving Wednesday! So just to manage expectations,…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 25, 2007

The Socialite

Lend a Hand to Open Hand

Whatcha doing for lunch this Thursday? Since this is a fundraiser ~LUNCHEON BENEFITING PROJECT OPEN HAND~, and not the CCA, I wanted to mention it. (Students of the “Banquets and Catering” class are hosting this event.) All the supplies have been donated, and they are not charging for lunch, but…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 25, 2007

The Socialite

Poleng Lounge and Eden Canyon Dinner

Okay, if you are looking for something cool to do tonight, Poleng Lounge is hosting a ~FIVE-COURSE FILIPINO DINNER~ paired with Eden Canyon Vineyard's award-winning wines. Executive chef Tim Luym’s five courses will feature Poleng favorites, such as salpicao and off-menu items only available during special events…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 25, 2007

The Regular

Essencia

It seemed a while ago everyone was trumpeting the new trend of Peruvian food, with places like Destino, then Limon and Mochica dotting various neighborhoods around the city, along with places like Mi Lindo Peru and Karamanduka, two Peruvian outposts I have yet to visit. Perhaps wave two has started,…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 25, 2007

The Chatterbox

June 19, 2007

Have you ever been to the ~AXIS CAFÉ~ out at the base of Potrero Hill, on 16th Street? It’s a friendly little spot, good for a mid-week sandwich out on the often-sunny and enclosed patio. (You can check out their menu here.) It’s looking like the cafe will…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 19, 2007

What’s Cookin’

June 19, 2007

Hola amigos. I’m here to report from the culinary beyond! Yes, I’ve been plummeting the depths. Last week was full of scrumptious discoveries, from the crostini topped with a creamy swath of pureed monkfish liver with saffron and other spices at Oliveto’s Oceanic Dinners (you MUST go…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 18, 2007

The Socialite

Pinot Days

More than 150 of the world’s top pinot noir producers will participate this year for the finest comprehensive tasting of the hottest grape around, pinot noir, at the third annual ~PINOT DAYS~ event. Every region of California and Oregon will be represented during the many events over the course…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 18, 2007

The Socialite

Sake Brewer's Dinner

For this special ~SAKE BREWERS DINNER~, ANZU executive chef Barney Brown will be pairing six courses with six sakes. There will actually be two different brewers in town from Japan for this event: from Chikurin in the Okayama Prefecture, Master Brewer Niichiro Marumoto presents his special sakes made from acclaimed…

Marcia Gagliardi • Jun 18, 2007