CUESA Sixth Annual Sunday Supper Reception Visited...

A few weeks ago on Sunday, October 5th, The Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA) held its 6th annual Sunday Supper which showcased the abundance of delicious produce offered at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and the supreme culinary talent of the San Francisco Bay Area.
There are two parts to this culinary event, the Reception and the Sunday Supper which followed immediately afterwards upstairs in the Ferry Building Grand Hall. The Reception took place in the Ferry Building Marketplace Halls as people bustled about tasting hors d'oeuvres from 22 top Bay Area chefs and sipped wine from four local wineries. Guests were also able to imbibe in Farmer's Market specialty cocktails from Hangar One and Square One vodkas as well as organic beer from Bison Brewing Company. SF Food Maven only attended the Reception, but that in itself was plentiful enough to feed an entire family and then some.
Here is the Breakdown of SF Food Maven Notable & Mentionables...

The first Hors D'Oeuvre encounter was a deliciously sweet, K&J Orchard Pear paired beautifully with a salty Lonza, a cured & dried Pork Loin similar to Prosciutto by Boccalone, a Salumeria founded by the Offal King, Chris Cosentino of Incanto. Next, we had the creamy Farm Egg Salad with Tomatoes from Dirty Girl Produce (love the name by the way..) by Phil West of Range. A delicious beginning...

Daniel Patterson of Coi provided a veritable Heirloom Vegetable Crudite by Heirloom Organics, pictured below, that was beautiful in its simplicity and essentially spoke for itself visually.

Thom Fox, Acme Chophouse, provided beautifully tender, savory Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs with Potatoes from Little Organic Farm, that was deliciously hearty and filling.
I was excited to be able to chat with Stuart Brioza, of the now shuttered, iconic San Francisco restaurant, Rubicon, who recently got back from his honeymoon. His Dish was a Warm Sweetbread and Beef Tongue Terrine that encompassed a Horseradish Cream concoction atop something crispy that escapes me at the moment, but whatever it was, it provided a textural contrast that just made the Dish...

I'm gonna have to stop the presses now to tell you about the next two SF Food Maven Notables Edibles... Because they were just to die for...

Fungi Frites: Fried Mushrooms with Lemon Aioli and Smoked Salt by Daniel Capra of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering were really great! They were so yummy, that I had to have another serving. They were so popular that they even ran out early, but the memory of them are still there...

The definite favorite of the evening were the Mini Polenta Cakes with Goat Chile Verde and Pumpkin Seed Pesto by Patrick Clark, Cia Greystone. Delicious! at the end of the evening after making the rounds to all of the stands, nothing topped this Dish and I quickly ran back for more. I must've had at least 6 or 7 more servings they were so yummy. Anyone want to join me in a visit up to the wine country?

Edible Mentionables...

The Tuna Sashimi with Wasabi Spring Roll by Yasu Iwahata of Delica rf-1 was tasty and fresh. And the Figs Stuffed With Chevre and Roasted Almonds Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant was a yummy combination of sweet Fig contrasted by the tart creaminess of the Chevre and the crunchy texture of the Roasted Almonds were both worth mentioning.

The event also held a Year of Dining out Raffle, auctioning four chances to win a collection of 12 dinners for two from the participating restaurants.
Immediately following the Reception, the Sunday Supper hosted Chefs from 30 restaurants who collaborated in teams of three to provide a unique first course, entree, cheese course and dessert for each long table of guests. Food Lovers were delighted by a different meal than their neighboring table.
All in all, it was another fun Food & Wine event for a good cause, in which I got to bump elbows with Bay Area greats such as Stuart Brioza of the former Rubicon, and Elizabeth Faulkner of Citizen Cake & Orson. An event in which over fifty of the Bay Area’s most celebrated chefs, all dedicated to promoting sustainable, seasonal and local dining, stepped up to cook for the reception and this memorable four course feast.

A Food Affaire Visited...

WOW..

Ok, I knew this event was going to be quite the 'Affaire', but I have to say that I was blown away!
It was a spectacular event, to say the least and I cannot wait to share the experience here with you..
As mentioned in a previous post, the Food Affaire is a Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) annual event. The event was formerly the Toast of the Town, but this year the GGRA went for a edgier, sexier, more sensual vibe and it worked. It was a huge success and as promised, it showcased all-star chefs, indulgent aphrodisiac-inspired cuisine and sensual entertainment.

So sit back, read on and enjoy the, dare I say? 'Food Erotica'...
Upon entering the plush Ruby Skye nightclub, one is greeted by a feather dusting by sassy, flirtatious servers in burlesque, serving up SKYY X-Rated cocktails to kick off the evening. Once rounding the corner to enter the main room, all of your senses are stimulated by the sounds of sexy beats, seductive performers center stage and chefs serving up sexy, aphrodisiac inspired cuisine.

Sexy.
Sensual.
Racy.
Seductive.
This event was all of these and more. A true seduction of all of your senses...





Dan Scherotter of Kuleto stood before an enormous phallic-shaped zucchini that was erotically pierced with toothpicks of house-cured sardines wrapped around beets. Beretta served up a rich, creamy Truffle Fondue that was to die for. One of my favorite chefs, Bruce Hill & Colin Dewey of Bix provided a beautiful Garden of Eatin' that was filled with pristine organic produce such as Strawberries, Beets, Avocados and ambrosial K&J Farms Panache figs. Each of these lush 'lilies' was gilded with a drizzle of ultra rich, perfectly sweet Cavedoni Balsamico. Perfecto! Jack Falstaff had a mouthwatering Shrimp paired with creamy Avocado and wonderfully fresh Watermelon topped with Cilantro whose flavors were surprisingly sensuous. Ducca served a rich Yellowtail Crudo literally 'swimming' in Champagne Spuma, Parsnip Cream and Osetra Caviar which was a combination that I found ironically delicious. Joey Altman of Bay Cafe and the newly opened Miss Pearl's Jam house in Oakland provided a creamy Rice Pudding with Berries and Cream.

As is typical, some of the sumptuous fare stood out more than others. Because I attend so many food & wine events as a food writer, I found myself making note of the favorite dishes that stood out, let's call them SF Food Maven 'Notable Edibles', and as the end of the event draws near, I go back for seconds and sometimes even thirds. Well, this time around, the following four Notable Edibles made for a perfect 4-Course Meal. So I found myself, weaving my way back for these Dishes in this exact order...


The Appetizer
Succulent.
Tantalizing.
Wanton.
Lusty.

Palencia's Dish was a Kilawin na Puso ng Saging, literally Sauteed Banana Heart, which is a Filipino Dish prepared with Banana Blossom sauteed in Sugarcane Vinegar and Thai Red Chilis. Palencia's chef, Drew Roxas prepared it with a Coconut Shrimp Sauce and fried Philippine Saba Banana. This Dish was perfect with just the right amount of kick, some creaminess from the Coconut Suace and a Flavor that lingered just right. It truly opened up the palette for what was next to come...



The Second Course
Rich.
Creamy.
Lavish.
Salacious.
Emporio Rulli had a Risotto with Beets. Earthy and delicious... You really couldn't go wrong.

The Entree
Carnal.
Spicy.
Exotic.
Erotic.
Poleng Lounge's Tim Luym presented a spicy Balinese Lemongrass Satay Sampi that was phallic and packed a heat that was all of the above things and a big hit for many, if the constant crowds were anything to go by...



The Dessert
Creamy.
Light.
Refreshing.
And Decadent all at once...
Perbacco's Fig Leaf Panna Cotta topped with Olive Oil, Cocoa Crumble and Red Wine Figs Dessert was so good that it put the 'Happy' in my Ending. I loved it.

Halfway through the evening, exotic, cirque de soliel-esque dancers performed sensual aerial routines, that had to be seen to be believed.




All in all, it most certainly was an all-encompassing, heady sensory experience featuring sensual entertainment and aphrodisiac-inspired cuisine created by San Francisco's leading chefs that went straight to my head, amongst other things...
A true Epicurean experience that stimulated all of your senses...

All proceeds raised from A Food Affaire will benefit the GGRA’s Scholarship Foundation, which provides talented students with scholarships to help fund their tuition towards careers in restaurants and hospitality. A most worthy cause, if you ask me.
Special thanks to Donnalyn Murphy, the Director of Educational Services for allowing yours truly to attend the event!

Take it from me, come next year, this event is not to be missed! This by far, was one of my favorite food & wine events of the year. And I will be sure to let you know once it comes around again... Perhaps, next time you will join me.

All Photos courtesy of SF Food Maven with the exception of #7 & 14, which came from bunrab.com.

SF Magazine's Fallfest This Saturday

San Francisco Magazine’s FallFest
this Saturday, October 11 from 12noon to 4pm.
San Francisco magazine’s celebrates the arrival of fall with their fifth annual epicurean event, which supports one of the City’s most respected nonprofit organizations—Meals On Wheels of San Francisco and is hosted by San Francisco magazine Food Editor Jan Newberry and Miss Pearl’s Jam House consulting chef and Bay Café host Joey Altman.  Leading local restaurateurs, winemakers and artisans join together for an inspiring day of premier food and wine tasting, chef demonstrations, live music and panel discussions that celebrate eating and living local.  It all takes place outdoors at Justin Herman Plaza, which is transformed for the day into a European-style marketplace, taking full advantage of the season’s gorgeous weather and the waterfront’s beautiful views.

FallFest 2008 will focus on the “Eat Local” initiative and ask participants to showcase items that use ingredients grown or produced within three hours of their final destination.

WHO 1,500 food and wine enthusiasts
WHAT San Francisco magazine’s Fallfest 2008
WHEN Saturday, October 11, noon to 4 p.m. (rain or shine)
WHERE Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero Center
San Francisco’s Waterfront District
WHY Proceeds benefit Meals On Wheels of San Francisco

HOW Get tickets now!   Click here.
Pay only $85 with the OpenTable discount!

Just use the dicount code: OPNTBLFF
PLEASE NOTE: Offer good until October 8.
If you are unable to attend, you can purchase raffle tickets or donate to the cause.
Visa Signature® cardholders receive special savings and benefits.

Celebrate fall with the food and wine event of the season!

SF Food Maven Food & Wine Events for the Week of September 29, 2008

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Saks Fifth Avenue & The Guardsmen present GIVING IN STYLE 2008 

2nd Annual Fashion Show & Party

What: A memorable evening of Giving In Style at the Second Annual Fashion Show & Party.
Who: The Bay Area's most fashionable and finest young professionals.
When: Thursday, October 02, 2008, 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Where: The Galleria at the SF Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Why: A fundraiser for The Guardsmen, a service organization of Bay Area professional men that has devoted its efforts to providing disadvantaged youth an opportunity to participate in camping, educational and other culturally enriching opportunities that they otherwise would not be afforded.
TICKETS: $84.99 - $150.
Purchase tickets: http://www.thealist.org/

MORE:The event will feature a runway show for men and women, VIP seating, top City restaurants, premium cocktails, and a lively hosted After-Party with DJ Solomon.
Event Schedule:

7 PM VIP access for premium food & drink
8 PM General admission
9 PM Fashion show
9:30 PM - 1 AM Dancing and merriment

Friday, October 3rd, 2008



What: 12th Annual Art for AIDS Auction
When: Friday, October 3rd, 2008 5:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Herbst International Gallery Presidio - Building #385

Support one of the nation's leading AIDS service organizations at the Art for AIDS Auction. Join 500 art patrons at a juried live and silent auction of more than 125 modern and contemporary works from well-known and emerging artists including Jock Sturges, Rex Ray and Deborah Oropallo. Enjoy gourmet food, wine and spirits donated by the Bay Area’s finest restaurants and wineries. This program benefits the UCSF AIDS Health Project.

Art for AIDS is an event benefiting the UCSF AIDS Health Project.
It is a juried live and silent auction, with gourmet food and libations provided by
some of the Bay Areas finest restaurants and wineries. KetelOne pours free Cosmos for all.

Bringing together a creative community of artists, galleries, art donors and art patrons, sponsors and media, the Art for AIDS event connects the art world, a community deeply aware of the epidemic’s toll, with one of the nation’s leading AIDS prevention and care organizations.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008



What: CUESA's Sixth Annual Sunday Supper
When: Sunday, October 05, 2008 6:00 PM Until 9:30 PM
Where: San Franciscos Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111

Info Line
415-291-3276 x 103
Website
http://www.cuesa.org/

6:00 pm - Reception in the Ferry Building Marketplace

7:30 pm - Supper, served family style in the Ferry Building Grand Hall
Reception only (see reception menu here), $60

Reception & Four Course Supper, $200

Year of Dining Out raffle tickets (see the participating restaurants here), $10
BUY TICKETS HERE

Parking is available at the lot on the corner of Washington & Embarcadero

Description
CUESA's sixth annual Sunday Supper fundraiser showcases the abundance of delicious produce offered at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and the supreme culinary talent of the San Francisco Bay Area. During our reception in the Ferry Building Marketplace, 20 Bay Area chefs will prepare sumptuous Hors D'oeuvres, farmers' market cocktails will be created by both Hangar One Vodka & Square One Vodka, four wineries will offer their local libations and Bison Brewery will pour organic beer.At 7:30, guests who are staying for Supper will ascend the stairs into the Ferry Building's Grand Hall and be surprised by the meal served to them! Chefs from 30 restaurants have collaborated in teams of three to provide a unique first-course, entree, cheese course and dessert for each long table of guests. This means you will be dining on a different delicious meal than your neighboring table. We'll also be drawing the names of the four winners of our Year of Dining out Raffle, auctioning a few fabulous prizes (details TBD), and hearing from a few farmers about what the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has meant to them.


The Month of October




October is Eat Local Month in SF
WHEN: The month of October.

Fresh. Local. Sustainable. Those are 3 words to best describe Eat Local Month in San Francisco.
All October long some of the city’s best restaurants will showcase daily specials using ingredients and products from local ranches and farms. Isn’t it great to live in the Bay Area?
Check out participating restaurants.

San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger

Last week, a very special gourmet food & wine event called San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger, was held at Ferry Plaza to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. The SF Food Bank sources, collects and repackages nearly 100,000 pounds of food per day, which comes from supermarket chains, large manufacturers & wholesalers, restaurant suppliers, the USDA and food drives for seniors nutrition programs and low-income families. The food that the SFFB collects supplies over 600 vital food programs, such as senior centers, after-school programs, neighborhood pantry networks and soup kitchens.  As I said in an earlier post, the SF Food Bank has been having a tough year, because food prices are skyrocketing and rents have increased 12% in the last year, resulting in more families on SFFB to supply basic needs and demands continue to increase. To compound the situation, the amount of the food that the USDA had been providing has been cut by 60% in the last 5 years alone.

Due to this predicament, the member restaurants of San Francisco Private Dining Venues and Estate Groups/Sonoma Cutrer sponsored the San Francisco Unites to End Hunger event to help provide some aid, as well as allowing food lovers to help contribute as well.

The event was held at the World Trade Club at the Ferry Plaza, which made for a beautiful setting with sweeping views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge as its backdrop. The San Francisco Event Music ensemble, another sponsor for the event played lively tunes, as people mingled and indulged in delectable hors d'oeuvres from participating restaurants.

Some of these gourmet samples included House-Cured Anchovies prepared 3 different ways by Palio D'Asti. They were paired with either Roasted Peppers, earthy Beets or a flavorful Eggplant Caponata. Acme Chophouse was serving up Roasted Figs topped with Goat Cheese wrapped in a cured Duck Prosciutto. Kuleto's dish was a Tuna Conserva served on a Toasted Baguette slice with a Roasted Pepper Mission Olive Tapenade and a Parsley Aioli.

Harris' provided a Prime Rib station, sliced up the way you like it, and Chaya Brasserie represented with colorful displays of Sushi Rolls.

My personal favorites for their inventiveness and perfect flavor combinations were by Absinthe Brasserie with its Marinated Lamb Loin sliced thin atop a Vaudovan (Indian spiced) Carrot Puree with a Cucumber Yogurt Sauce and Toasted Almonds, which added great texture, and the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company's Melon Gazpacho, prepared with Heirloom Melons and a Coconut Sorbet and Mint, which provided a unique & delicious palate cleanser amidst all of the savory dishes.

The SF Food Bank had a great turnout for this event, as philanthropists and food lovers alike showed up to consume delicious creations, imbibe good wine and give back to their community.

SF FOOD MAVEN Food & Wine Events for the Week of September 22nd...

Monday, September 22nd













Feeling Feisty? Then you must go to A Food Affaire!

What: A Food Affaire
Where: Ruby Skye Nightclub
When: Monday, September 22nd at 6:30pm

Yes, this event is today! For complete details click here.


Wednesday, September 24th

What: Vino Iberico: The Wines of Spain & Portugal
When: September 24th at 6pm
Where: Vessel San Francisco - 85 Campton Street off Stockton

The Dramatic Setting
Uncorked Events will be introducing wines of distinct history, value and quality at the beautiful and sexy Vessel SF nightclub, providing the perfect backdrop. This stunning venue is conveniently located on the edge of Financial District so you can quickly end a days work with over 85 of the very best wines from Spain and Portugal.

The Wine
On the Spanish front, you will taste the hearty reds of the Priorat and Ribera del Duero, the classics from Rioja, bubbly from Penedès , as well as wines from up and coming regions like Jumilla, Toro, Rías Baixas and La Mancha। You will taste lots of Tempranillo (the great grape of Spain), along with Cabernet, Garnacha, Albariño, Cava, Viura and many more. When it comes to Portugal, you all have likely had their port - and you will try many on this evening. What you may be less familiar with are the great non-dessert wines of Portugal. How about a little Alentejo or Bairrada, or perhaps a little Vinho Verde? Come experience some of these little known gems that are often in the shadow of this Port empire.

The Extras
Artisinal Spanish cheeses, olives and cured meats will be provided from A.G. Ferrari and DJ Sol spinning flamenco-inspirded lounge grooves.The Bottom LineWhen a wine is extraordinary, Spainards say “Beber este vino es como hablar con Dios” — “Tasting this wine is like talking with God”. You may just might concur by night’s end.


Thursday, September 25th

What: SF Weekly's Dish - an event featuring sampling from local restaurants, a hosted bar, and live music.
Where: Under the Dome - Westfield San Francisco Centre 845 Market Street
When: Thursday, September 25 6pm-9pm

Featured restaurants to include: O Izakaya, Zazil Mexican Cuisine, LarkCreekSteak, Straits, Papalote, Frisee, Clementine, Roots, New Delhi, Buena Vista Café Irish Coffees, and more to be announced.

Proceeds will benefit Project Open Hand.
Space is limited. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Sponsors: Miller Brewing Company, Crunch Fitness, SF Chocolates, SF Explore Card, Yak Pak, Sake2me, and The Art Institute.

What: California Wine Classic
Where: Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, 600 Stockton St.
When: Thursday, Sept. 25 (6 p.m.)

http://www.californiawineclassic.org/

Sip and support. The California Wine Classic benefits the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Enjoy over twenty California wines, fine cuisine from the Ritz-Carlton, a silent and live auction and live music at this special event. This is an evening with one important goal - to find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative ColitisEnjoy over twenty California wines, fine cuisine, a silent and live auction and live music.All event proceeds are dedicated to medical research and support programs.This year, they are committed to funding a total of $18 million towards critical research, which includes funding local researchers at UCSF, Stanford and Kaiser Permanente.

A Food Affaire, next Monday, September 22nd...

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) is hosting a sensual gourmet food & wine event called - A Food Affaire. The event is this upcoming Monday, September 22nd at the renowned Ruby Skye nightclub on 420 Mason Street in downtown San Francisco. Over twenty top San Francisco chefs will serve aphrodisiac-inspired dishes that incorporate mood-enhancing ingredients. Whether it's decadent oysters being sucked right out of the shell, lavish caviar pearls bursting between your teeth or foie gras melting like butter on the tongue, you can experience all of the sexiness that these foods have to offer. It is anticipated to be a memorable evening in which you can indulge in seductive food and entertainment.

The event was formerly called Toast of the Town. With participating chefs and restaurants such as Mark Gordon, Terzo; Joey Altman, Miss Pearl's Jam House; Bruce Hill, Bix; Massimo Caporale, Gelato Paradiso; Tammy Huynh, Bong Su; Pablo Estrada, Rose Pistola; Ruggero Gadaldi, Beretta; Paul Piscopo, XYZ; Ranjan Dey, New Delhi; Damon Hall, MoMo's and Pete's Tavern; Dan Scherotter, Palio d'Asti; Joseph Manzare, Tres Agaves; Gary Rulli, Emporio Rulli; Ben Hetzel, Uva Enoteca; Tim Luym, Poleng Lounge.

There will also be exotic dancers, henna tattoo artists, and fortunetellers. SKYY Spirits is the exclusive beverage sponsor for the event and will be creating a list of specialty cocktails for the evening. Proceeds raised from A Food Affaire will benefit the GGRA's Scholarship Foundation, which provides talented students with scholarships to help fund their tuition towards careers in restaurants and hospitality.

The ticket price is $150 VIP or $100 for general admission, per person. VIP Event Begins at 6pm, general admission to open at 6:30pm.
Rivera Public Relations is offering a discount to fellow industry professionals and food-lovers alike: When buying tickets, use the promo code "RPR" (all uppercase) and you will receive a $20 discount. Or for those couples that want to attend, use the promo code "RPR2" and receive two tickets for the price of one (a $50 value).

Click here to purchase your discounted tickets and get ready to go behind the scenes with participating San Francisco chefs to experience their take on aphrodisiac-inspired cuisine at this year's "A Food Affaire"...

The event will tantalize your tastebuds and satisfy all of your senses, from touch to sight.
I am very excited to attend this delicious event and will be sure to report back...

SF FOOD MAVEN FOOD & WINE EVENTS for the Week of September 15th...

There are so many great Food & Wine events in San Francisco. And I thought it would be a great idea to do Sunday posts which tell you What, Where & When these events are. If there are any events that you may be interested in attending, then please feel free to contact me and maybe we can meet there or go together.

So, What's in Store for This Week?
Well, here it goes...

SF FOOD MAVEN FOOD & WINE EVENTS

This Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Sexy Nirvino Event at Sens Restaurant at 4EC - Show Me Your Cachaca

WHAT: Show Me Your Cachaca
WHERE: Sens Restaurant
WHEN: Tuesday Sep 16th, 2008
From 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Cost: FREE for Nirvino members so join now!

Nirvino, a Beer, Wine & Cocktail social domain, where one can connect with other such enthusiasts, is hosting a Mixology Event featuring Brasilian-style cocktails in a beautiful setting, at Sens restaurant in Embarcadero Center 4. They will host a crew of master mixologists to create some fantastic Cabana Cachaca-based drinks.

Event highlights:
• Mixology Contest - Five of San Francisco's hottest bartenders
• Mobile Judging - Bring your iPhone, Treo, or Blackberry. We'll be reviewing the drinks live at the event to select the winner of the mixology contest
• Limited Space - This is a private event exclusively for our active Nirvino members
• Your Mission - Rate each of the cocktails from your mobile phone and choose the best drink of the evening.

VIP Early birds can come promptly at 6:30 for a special, super-secret cocktail. The early bird special will be made by Cabana's in-house mixologist, Alex Metzroth, and complemented by Glace Luxury Ice.

According to an interview with Nirvino, Cabana Cachaça was launched in 2006 by Matti C. Anttila, a twenty-something New York investment banker turned spirits entrepreneur who first discovered cachaca while experiencing the heady nightlife of Rio de Janeiro. Anttila explains, "This new campaign helps to communicate the authentic essence of Cabana, and distinguish it from the other mass cachacas starting to come into the US market. It is the first truly super-premium cachaça, worthy of sitting alongside Grey Goose, Patron and other ultra-premium and luxury category leaders."

Sounds like a sexy, fun event. Who's in?




Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

WHAT: San Francisco Culinary History with GraceAnn Walden and Pablo Estrada

WHERE: Macy's Union Square - 170 O'Farrell St - San Francisco, CA
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17th at 6pm

Local food writer GraceAnn Walden takes you on a culinary tour of San Francisco at Macy's Union Square in The Cellar! During this 4-part series she'll be visiting with local chefs.

Enjoy a taste of the featured recipes, a glass of wine compliments of the Jug Shop, and neighborhood history from GraceAnn. GraceAnn also offers tours of the city; you can find out about more here.

This series is on Traditional North Beach with Pablo Estrada, chef de cuisine of Rose Pistola

Explore this vibrant neighborhood with food maven-history buff GraceAnn Walden and enjoy a Ligurian dish by Pablo Estrada, chef de cuisine of Rose Pistola restaurant. The cuisine of Rose Pistola captures the authentic flavors, brought here by the Italian immigration of the 19th century.



Thursday, September 18th, 2008

WHAT: San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger
WHERE: One Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA
WHEN: This Thursday, Sep. 18th from 5:30pm–7:30pm
Cost: Tickets are $40 and are available at the door at One Ferry Plaza, directly behind the Ferry Building

This is a special Gourmet Food & Wine event, that has been organized to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. The SF Food Bank has been having a tough year and they are hoping to get a great turnout for this event. This is a great way for Food Lovers to give back to their community. The $40 ticket price includes live entertainment, drinks, and savory hors d'oeuvres from 30 San Francisco restaurants.  Guests may also enter a raffle to win $100 gift certificates to the participating restaurants, listed here:

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
Acme Chophouse
Bistro Boudin
Chaya Brasserie
The City Club
Cosmopolitan
E&O Trading Company
Epic Roasthouse
Fifth Floor
Fior D' Italia
Foreign Cinema
Grand Café
Harris’
Il Fornaio
Jillian’s at the Metreon
Joe DiMaggio’s Italian Chophouse
Kuleto’s
Le Colonial
McCormick and Kuleto’s
One Market
Orson
Palio D'Asti
Paragon
Perbacco
Plumpjack
Postrio
Shanghai 1930
Spruce
Thirsty Bear Brewing Company
Tres Agaves

Yoshi’s

This event is sponsored by San Francisco Private Dining Venues and their member restaurants, Estate Groups/Sonoma Cutrer and San Francisco Event Music.

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

A Taste of South Beach/Mission Bay Street Fair

WHAT: “A Taste of South Beach/Mission Bay” Street Fair

WHERE: Historic South Park
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20th. 11am-6pm.
Cost: Free


This Saturday will be the first annual “A Taste of South Beach and Mission Bay” Street Fair. The goal of the fair is to bring attention to this rapidly expanding area of San Francisco by inviting the community of South Beach and Mission Bay as well as neighboring SF Bay Area communities to participate in a quality celebration of local cuisine.
This all-day block party will feature tasty treats from some of your favorite South Beach & surrounding restaurants and bars, including: Tres Agaves, 21st Amendment, Anchor Brewing Co., District, Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant, MoMo’s, O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Paragon, Pete’s Tavern, and more...


The focus of the fair in its first year will be on the many excellent Restaurants and Bars in the South Beach and Mission Bay Area. Local restaurant’s signature dishes and drinks will be available for purchase at a moderate cost. There will also be two stages featuring terrific, live entertainment.


Admission is Free and proceeds from the event will benefit the South Beach/Mission Bay Merchant Association and the South Park Improvement Association.


Well.. There you have it. This weeks notable Food & Wine events in San Francisco.

Looking forward to it and hope to see you at one of these events!

Yours in Food,

SF Food Maven