Category Archives: Enticing Events

Time for Cake, Cheese & Sorbet

Posted on by 18 comments

The cakes:

As in cupcakes, whoopie cakes and other classic cakes you’ll find at the new SusieCakes bakery, which has opened its first San Francisco location in the Marina district, a short hop from the Hilton at Fisherman’s Wharf.

This marks the second branch of the Los Angeles bakery, which has opened up North. The first one debuted in January in Greenbrae in Marin County.

The new Marina bakery will celebrate its grand opening on June 26, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with an old-fashioned sock hop, featuring ’50s tunes, kids activities, a costume contest, tasty treats, and prizes, including a raffle for a one-year membership in the SusieCakes “Cake of the Month” club.

The cheese:

Have you spotted these adorable truncated 1966 VW buses done up to resemble baby loaves of Tillamook cheddar?

My hubby actually saw one recently and had to do a double-take. See for yourself as Tillamook’s “Love Tour” continues through June 25 in the Bay Area.

Read more

Bay Area Rising Star Chefs Shine the Night Away

Posted on by 21 comments

The stars were out in force on Wednesday night at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.

That would be the glittering roster of Rising Star Chefs, as chosen by StarChefs.com, the online culinary magazine. StarChefs.com chooses only four cities each year in which to pick its rising star chefs. Of course, I’m biased, but there’s no way the magazine could ever leave San Francisco off that list, right?

The walk-around tasting event featured gourmet eats with wine and cocktail pairings.

Chef Joshua Skenes and Sommelier Mark Bright of Saison were on hand to be lauded for “best concept” for their San Francisco restaurant, despite the fact that they were re-opening it the very next night after a major renovation that includes a pricey new stove and kitchen, an outdoor oven large enough to cook a couple of whole pigs, and an expansion and enclosure of the garden patio dining area.

Also in attendance to mingle with colleagues were Chef Stuart Brioza and his wife, Pastry Chef Nicole Krasinski, both formerly of the shuttered-Rubicon in San Francisco, who are expecting their first child in three months — a baby boy.

Here’s what this year’s Rising Stars cooked up:

Read more

New Happy Hour, Good-For-You Granola, Seafood Fund-Raiser & More

Posted on by 9 comments

On the Peninsula:

If you haven’t yet checked out Junnoon’s swank revamped cocktail lounge, now’s the time to do so at the downtown Palo Alto restaurant’s new extended “Happy Hour,” every Thursday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Starting June 17, the 15-seat lounge rolls out its new “Street Food Meets Bollywood Beats”, which will feature DJ tunes, two-for-one cocktails and Indian street food-inspired bites. Sip a Mumbai Mojito while nibbling on “Darjeeling Steamed Wontons” ($9) or “Tangy Semolina Shells” ($8).

June 25-26, Marché in Menlo Park will spotlight Pacific seafood on its menu with proceeds to benefit the Gulf Coast cleanup.

The four-course menu will include the likes of “Confit of Half Moon Bay Albacore with Olive Oil Pudding and Kalamata Granité” and “Hawaiian Mero Bass and Local Abalone with Porcinis.”

Price is $80 per person with an additional $59 for wine pairings. Ten dollars from each dinner sold will be donated to the Louisiana Bayoukeepers, members of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which have been the first line of defense against this oil leak disaster. Donations will help pay for clean-up supplies, protective gear, emergency office space and food for volunteers.

The Asian Chefs Association, which will be cooking up a storm at the James Beard House in New York on Oct. 4, will be preparing a preview dinner June 27 at Chef Chu’s restaurant in Los Altos.

The five-course dinner will give you a taste of what the chefs have up their toques even if you can’t make it to New York for the real deal. Dishes include crab Napoleon with Kobe beef and foie gras butter sauce by Jackson Yu of Live Sushi Bar in San Francisco; and kaffir lime broiled scallop with asparagus, gobo and corn pudding by Scott Whitman of Sushi Ran in Sausalito.

Price is $100 per person. Reservations must be made in advance by calling (510) 883-9386 or emailing chau@chilipepperevents.com.

Galaxy Granola of San Rafael, which touts its healthful granola as having about 70 percent less fat than its competitors, wants you to trade in your fatty foods for good-for-you ones.

Read more

A San Francisco Treat and A San Jose One

Posted on by 7 comments

In San Francisco:

Whether you have guests in from out of town or want a magical only-in-San Francisco experience, yourself, head to Luce restaurant in the InterContinental San Francisco for “Dinner & Cocktails With A View,” in conjunction with the Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins.

Every Wednesday through Saturday evening, diners can indulge in a 3-course dinner at Luce created by Chef Dominique Crenn, then two classic cocktails at the Top of the Mark on the 19th floor with jaw-dropping 360-degree city views. Or vice-versa, as you can also choose to have the cocktails first, then the dinner afterward.

Price is $80 per person and includes dinner at Luce, with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, and two classic martinis at the Top of the Mark. The price also includes complimentary access to the Top of the Mark, as well as a taxi voucher.

Reservations are required by calling either Luce at (415) 616-6566 or the Top of the Mark at (415) 616-6916.

In San Jose:

In the mood for brewski? Then, Morton’s The Steakhouse in downtown San Jose is the place to be, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. June 11.

Read more

« Older Entries Recent Entries »