The Lush

Burgundy lovers already have February 22nd-25th marked off on their calendars, when renowned sommelier Daniel Johnnes hosts his 12th annual ~LA PAULÉE~ in San Francisco and Napa Valley. There will be a variety of wine tastings and dinners highlighting more than 30 of the most sought-­after Domaines of Burgundy. Look for both newer releases and older vintages being poured by visiting winemakers and over 50 of the top sommeliers in the U.S.

Some events are already sold out, but there are still tickets to dinners, tastings, and seminars. At the grand tasting on Saturday February 25th (shockingly there are still tickets available, $300), there will be wines and winemakers from all 33 Domaines, over 100 wines in all, along with food prepared by top restaurants.

And the famed gala dinner ($1,400)—
prepared by chefs Daniel Boulud, Romain Chapel, Thomas Keller, Christopher Kostow, and Michael Mina—will feature wines from all of the attending growers. In the tradition of La Paulée de Meursault, guests are invited to bring treasures from their cellars to share, knowing that their generosity will be reciprocated tenfold. There’s also a charity auction during the gala dinner, with 100% of the proceeds going to The Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation and Meals On Wheels of San Francisco.

This year also marks the inaugural La Paulée de San Francisco Burgundy Week, from February 13th-24th. San Francisco restaurant partners (like Frances, Boulevard, A16, Benu, and more) will be featuring a special selection of Burgundies on their wine lists and menus. So even if you don’t have $1,400 to blow on the dinner of the decade, you can still enjoy some gorgeous Burgundies out on the town. Salud!

Happy Birfday to ~DISTRICT~ in SoMa, which is turning five (yup, that’s five years of getting countless young professionals hooked up). As a thanks to patrons, during the month of February, all guests can order a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Blue Label Champagne for just $5 (normally $20 a glass); limit of one glass per person per visit. 216 Townsend St. at 3rd St., 415-896-2120.

Every Tuesday evening at ~CAFÉ DES AMIS~, the entire list of wines by the bottle is available for half price. Um, yeah. With over 300 French selections, and some from California, you have your work cut out for you. Tuesday nights, 5pm-11pm.

And on Saturday February 11th, you can stock up your Valentine’s Day stash at ~THE BUBBLE LOUNGE~, which is hosting a second Love POP-UP Tasting & Sale party featuring grower Champagne from Thierry Thiese Selections (including Rene Geoffroy Rosé, Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs, Gaston Chicquet, and Vilmart), 12 selections from Return to Terroir, and The Bubble Lounge’s Bubbly Imports Champagne exclusives Fleury Carte de l’Europe and Couche Zero Dosage. There will also be a chocolate truffle-making atelier whereby guests can learn the art of making chocolate truffles, and buy them to take home, plus master saberer Marisa Ceballos, West Coast Director of The Bubble Lounge, will teach the skill and art of sabering.

Print out the coupon (click here) and bring it in for an additional 10% off (you can also use the discount all month long in the e-boutique). Large orders placed on Saturday can be delivered on Monday the 13th, and discounts will be offered on half and full cases along with free membership for the new Bubble Lounge Bubbly Club. 2pm-7pm. $10 (to be redeemed upon purchase). Also, submit your love story of 500 words or less by February 9th to enter to win a $200 certificate to the Love Pop-Up store online or at the event on the 11th. 714 Montgomery St. at Columbus, 415-434-4204.

This Friday January 27th, owners Chris Lawrence and Anthony LaVia are kicking off ~SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING~’s grand opening weekend. House-brewed beers by Andy French include pale ale, IPA, porter, golden ale, and wit; coming soon are extra IPA and black lager (all beers $3-$5).

The affordable menu of what I’d call California pub fare from chef Tyler Moorish includes a variety of bar bites (pickles, charcuterie, crab fritters), appetizers (barbecue wings with fresh horseradish, salads, “chicken noodle soup” stuffed agnolotti), pizzas (smoked tasso ham with red onion and chile oil, pale ale pork sausage with pepperoni, black olives), sandwiches (smoked pastrami on rye, confit chicken salad), burgers (black and blue with chile rub and bleu cheese), and entrées (lasagne with wild mushroom, sweet onion ricotta, spicy tomato, or steak frites). You can check out the entire menu here.

Hours this weekend are Fri 7pm-2am, Sat 7pm-2am, and Sun 7pm-12am. After the grand opening, SPB will be open for lunch and dinner daily, 11am-12am, and open later Thu-Sat. We already covered a lot of the architectural details in the hardhat by Seth Boor of Boor Bridges Architecture, so click if you need a recap.

10 straight days of beer-filled festivities: that’s what you have to look forward to for ~SAN FRANCISCO BEER WEEK 2012~, February 10th-19th. As always, the schedule is filled to the brim with beer tastings, beer release parties, and food pairing dinners all over town—and outside of town—so check out the full schedule online. We’ll just mention a couple highlights to get ya started.

The beer starts flowing on Friday February 10th with the SF Beer Week Opening Celebration at the Concourse Exhibition Center in SoMa, hosted by the San Francisco Brewers Guild. From 6pm-10pm, 50 NorCal breweries, from new nanobrewers to craft brew legends, will be pouring unlimited samples of new, rare, and classic beers into your commemorative glass. You can also purchase from a range artisan choices and food options, and there’ll be live music. Tickets are online for $65. 635 8th St. at Brannan.

The ~MONK’S KETTLE~ is hosting events throughout SF Beer Week, notably the second annual Dinner of the Trappists, an extensive seven-course dinner paired with beers from the monks of the seven Trappist breweries. Starting at 6:30pm on February 13th, you’ll have a rare chance to try beers like the Westvleteren 12 (not available in the U.S.) alongside a course like duck fat-roasted beets with lamb’s lettuce and fromage blanc croquette. Other courses include seared spot prawn with roasted chanterelles and bison two ways; see the full menu here. $195 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reserve by email.

For Valentine’s Day, Tuesday February 14th, visit Monk’s Kettle for a “Sweet and Sour Valentine,” featuring a sour beer known as Cantillon Rosé de Gambrinus. Rosé like the wine, yes, but it’s a beer. They’ll also have sweeter offerings, like Dieu du Ciel! Aphrodite, to represent the other end of the spectrum.

In honor of SF Beer Week, ~ANCHOR & HOPE~ is holding a Shrimp Boil on Thursday February 16th, 4:30pm-7pm. It’s an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-draft kinda thing with three brewers (Anchor Brewing, 21st Amendment, and Pacific Brewing Laboratory) and 16 of their drafts. $30. Give ‘em a call to RSVP: 415-501-9100.

A few quick updates: first, swing by the bar at ~JARDINIÈRE~ this Thursday January 26th for a cocktail from guest bartenders David Lytle and Stephen Bassman from Frommer’s Travel Guides. They are serving dueling Manhattans ($9 each), and there is going to be a special pastrami slider, also $9. Proceeds go to Family Builders. 6pm-8pm.

Over at ~HARRY DENTON’S STARLIGHT ROOM~, bar manager Joel Teitelbaum has put a carbonated, pre-bottled Negroni on the menu (it’s the first of what will likely grow to become a separate carbonated section of the menu). The Negronis are carbonated and sealed in a 375mL bottle, and opened and poured tableside over a glass of ice with an orange garnish. Fizzy Negroni, sign me up. Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 21st floor, 450 Powell St. at Sutter, 415-395-8595.

Alcademics has all the details on the latest incarnation of the sherry-centric cocktail program over at ~GITANE~ by lead barman Ramon Garcia (“with some aid from Neyah White [formerly of NOPA]”). Of the many new drinks, there’s a Sherry Shrub, and a Smoked Palomino with crema de mezcal, amontillado sherry, grapefruit, lime, and soda water.

And over at ~QUINCE~ and ~COTOGNA~, wine director David Lynch’s replacement has been named: Chris Baggetta of New York’s Eleven Madison Park. She begins February 6th as Lynch’s St. Vincent project in the Mission gets underway. Note: the press release states Cotogna’s $40 by-the-bottle and $10 by-the-glass selections will continue.

After reading this blog post that Ceri Smith of ~BIONDIVINO~ was opening a second business in Russian Hill, I heard a rumor that Boulette’s Larder was involved, so of course I had to give her a call. It ends up she is not planning to open a wine bar as reported, but more of a true enoteca, serving espresso in the morning, along with some choice items to eat throughout the day and evening, and of course fantastic wines to enjoy as well. She is currently waiting for approval on a conditional use permit to convert a boutique (Eco Citizen) at 2255 Polk Street into her new (and presently unnamed) concept.

Ceri said it’s going to have a very Euro-centric and sophisticated style that is upscale without being uptight, and will be geared more toward the 30-and-over crowd (i.e. not a boisterous wine bar). Of course the wine list will be fab—she said imagine being able to swing by a casual but beautiful place with a deep list à la Quince or Acquerello, without having to sit for a five-course meal. She is meeting with Boulette’s Larder this week about ideas and plans for the menu, so the food component is TBD, but you know it’ll be spot-on.

The enoteca will be open in the mornings for really good Italian espresso service and a breakfast item or two, before transitioning into afternoon and evening offerings. While her focus is Italian wines, she also said there will be esoteric wines, smaller producers, some old California vintages due to a source she has, in addition to European selections like some Austrian rieslings, and even wine cocktails by Duggan McDonnell of Cantina.

Ceri said it’s going to have a very clean look, very modern and European. There will be 24-26 seats (at tables and chairs), and hopefully 4 outside. She stressed that service will be of the utmost importance, and guests will note thoughtful details like purse hooks and throws. She’s charmingly calling it “the smallest restaurant in San Francisco.”

While she has over 300 signatures from neighbors in support of the project, her hearing is on February 2nd, so even more positive letters would be appreciated! Feel free to send a letter in support to Kevin Guy via email or to the Planning Department, Attn: Kevin Guy, 1650 Mission St. Suite 400, San Francisco, CA, 94103. The case number is 2011.1233C, re: address 2255 Polk St.

Last week I reported on the departure of Mauro Cirilli from Perbacco and barbacco, but I just learned that Becky Pezzullo (Bar Bambino, Reform Club) has been hired as the general manager and wine director for ~BARBACCO~. Current general manager Maria Eugenia Armando will be working side by side with Becky for the next three weeks until she leaves on February 7th for Argentina (when Maria comes back she will work on opening her own business). Becky said she’s “very excited to be in an Italian space again, really really Italian, with a rocking wine list that matches my philosophy and ethos 100%.” Cheers to that!

~TWENTY FIVE LUSK~ is launching a new wine offer on Mondays, offering 50% off all bottles of wine that are $100 or less. This offer will be available to diners in the upstairs dining room as well as the downstairs bar and lounge from 5pm to close.

I was laughing hysterically over some posts and pictures on Facebook announcing that ~WO HING GENERAL STORE~ finally got some bar stools. Yep, it’s true, not many people want to stand around when they drink. Now if they could just get cushions for that damned metal bench. Olle Lundberg, please stop with the metal benches—they look cool but that’s also what they’re doing to our butts. I know I’m not the only one who wants a pillow every time I dine out at Out the Door on Bush, and now Wo Hing.

Looking for something fun to do on Sundays? ~COMSTOCK SALOON~ has decided to open on Sundays, and is hosting Honky-Tonk Sundays, starting at 4pm. There will be some serious vinyl getting played, like Hank Snow, Charlie Daniels, and Waylon Jennings (starting at 7pm). Sous chef Abe Sanchez will offer a weekly Blue Plate Special of southern-inspired comfort food dishes like his famous chili, fried chicken, and barbecue. Executive chef Carlo Espinas will also offer the full dinner menu of turn-of-the-century saloon fare, so you can still get your beef shank and bone marrow pot pie. And don’t forget, there’s happy hour from 4pm-7pm daily, featuring 2-for-1 snacks, $6 Derby cocktails, and $6 shot and beer combos: Boot to the Head (bourbon and Anchor Steam), Cabezazo (tequila and Tecate), and Headbutt (Bols Genever and pilsner).

When it comes to wine, there’s always more to learn. Pick up some more wine knowledge with these fun ‘n’ educational wine events. ~CELLAR360~ at Ghirardelli Square and Courtney Cochran—author and certified sommelier—are hosting HIP TASTES: Blind Tasting Bootcamp on Thursday January 19th from 6pm-8pm. You’ll be guided through the essentials of blind tasting with six different wines, then wrapping up the class with a taste-off between teams. $50. 900 North Point St. #F301 at Polk.

On Sunday January 29th, ~HEIRLOOM CAFÉ~ is holding not one but three back-to-back tasting events. Start at 10am with a gnocchi demonstration, then enjoy brunch with truffles at 11am (gnocchi with sunny-side eggs, chive butter, Périgord truffles), with a glass of bubbles (Montagnieu Brut), of course. $40 (limited to twelve). At 1pm, join the Wine Fundamentals Tasting Seminar: they promise two hours, six wines, and a start to a lifetime of wine appreciation. $30. Then stay for the 4pm-6pm Heirloom Groovinet: a casual tasting event with one-ounce pours for $1, $2, or $3 so you can taste lots of different wines, including a special bottle or two. They’re also supplying munchies. $10. Tickets online.

For those with a professional interest in wine, ~GRAPE EXPERIENCE~ offers Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certification classes geared to different levels. Their new Foundation/Sommelier Course is a two-day workshop Sat-Sun February 4th-5th, 10am-4:30pm, at Premium Port Wines (280 Utah St. at 16th St.). Active sommeliers teach how to apply wine knowledge and skills in a restaurant workplace—good for anyone who needs basic skills in wine service (i.e. get your feet wet), and/or wants to start a career as a sommelier. $395, includes all books/materials, wines, and exam. They also offer WSET Intermediate and Advanced Certificate Courses. More info online.

Good news for ~TWO SISTERS BAR AND BOOKS~ (and their customers!): starting this Friday January 13th, the Hayes Valley boîte is launching a full cocktail program designed by bartender Michael Cecconi. The list will include four takes on the classic Manhattan, sign me up! Please note they are cash only. Open Tue-Thu 4pm-11pm, Fri 4pm-12am, Sat 1pm-12am, Sun 11am-10pm. The kitchen is open Tue-Sat 4pm-10pm, and brunch is served Sun 11am-4pm. 579 Hayes St. at Laguna, 415-863-3655.

Over in the Mission, the ever-cheerful ~LOLÓ~ is in the process of transferring the liquor license from Charanga. The partners have been trying to secure a liquor license for a long time, and are excited to launch their updated gastro-cantina concept this spring or summer. Partner Jorge Martinez tells me the cocktail list is going to be agave-centric, with tequilas, mezcals, and raicilla figuring prominently. In fact, Jorge told me the mezcal they will use is from a distillery that was going to close in Durango, and he offered to buy the production of it to save it. Even more interesting: it’s made from a wild pink agave; sadly the distillery can only provide it in small batches in order to evade confiscation by cartels on delivery runs. Intense. There is also a house raicilla Loló will carry, made on the coast of Jalisco. Both of these spirits are in their two restaurants in Mexico (i latina and Anita li).

One last bit of news: there is a new partner, Juan Carlos Ruelas (opening partner Merdol Erkal sold his share, is now focused on another exciting venture to help fix our country’s school lunch programs). Look for a new menu to be launched in a couple weeks, with even more of a focus on Mexican dishes. It all looks like the start of a very feliz año nuevo for this sweet neighborhood business!

I was very sorry to hear the ~GOLD DUST LOUNGE~ in Union Square is facing eviction. Scoop reports the owner, Tasios Bovis, has been told his lease is cancelled and he is supposed to vacate in the next three months so a Chicago-based clothing company can move in.

Um, hello, this bar has been open since 1906! Wait, someone else says 1905. Anyway, that’s a long-ass time it’s been open. Bovis is appealing to City Hall—stand by for more about what can be done to protest the eviction. I personally love this kooky and historic bar, and all the bleary-eyed times I’ve had there. I really hope we can save it. You can follow @GoldDustLounge on Twitter and Facebook for updates on how to help. 247 Powell St. at Geary, 415-397-1695.

I received word that ~MURIO’S TROPHY ROOM~ reopened with its brand-new look and partnership (owner Roger Howell has brought on a new business partner, Edward Sargent). As mentioned in an earlier piece, the new look from Haleh Cunningham and Bernadette Holmes of Thornbird Styling features tufted caramel-colored banquettes, sexy 70s wallpaper, vintage and mid-century chairs, and newly recovered barstools. It’s very far from its original dive bar look—even the entrance (now with windows!) looks very different. You can peek at a slideshow on Grub Street here. Hours are 11am-2am. 1811 Haight St. at Shrader.

Oakland is bizzzeee with the bar openings (and in this case, refreshers)! I just got word about another one to add to the list, ~THE NEW EASY~, which used to be Easy Lounge in the Grand Lake district. The owners decided to change things up after five years, and have launched a new cocktail program featuring fresh and local ingredients, handmade soda syrups, bitters, infusions, seasonal fresh juices, and herbs, along with a new food offering (sausages with housemade sauerkrauts and chutneys, grilled cheese, a fondue made with local spirits, and a root beer float using chocolate stout). On the cocktail menu, there’s the Apple Hill Bubbly, with bonded apple brandy, rosemary-infused honey, and lemon topped with hard apple cider, and the Gator Tooth, with moonshine, absinthe, pear nectar, and tarragon. New hires include Summer-Jane Bell (who has been brought in as a partner). 3255 Lakeshore Ave. at Lake Park, Oakland, 510-338-4911.

~COI~ has hired a new sommelier to replace Andrew Mosblech, who left last year. His name is Roland Micu, and he is currently the wine director for La Toque in Napa. He is going to start on January 31st, after COI’s January break the week of January 23rd, when Daniel Patterson is going to Paris for Paris Des Chefs (his duo presentation is with Blixa Bargeld!) and he is then presenting at Madrid Fusion. Globetrotter. COI also has a new GM, Michael Cima, who was AGM at The Village Pub in Woodside.

I heard through the grapevine (har!) that ~PERBACCO~ and ~BARBACCO~ wine director Mauro Cirilli was leaving his position. Inside Scoop shares that “He’s opted to move in a new direction, leading seminars and events for the North American Sommelier Association. He also plans to do more restaurant wine consulting and is working on a new website ‘dedicated to job sourcing specifically for the San Francisco Bay Area food and beverage industry.’”

The ~ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS FESTIVAL~, aka ZAP, is back for the 21st time with a new venue for two events, The Concourse at 8th and Brannan Streets. Thursday January 26th is Epicuria at The Concourse (food and zinfandel pairing), Friday January 27th is the Winemakers’ Dinner at The Westin St. Francis, and Saturday January 28th is the Grand Tasting, also at The Concourse.

On January 26th from 6pm-9pm at The Concourse, 50 zinfandel vintners and 50 Bay Area chefs and restaurateurs will collaborate on food-wine pairings at Epicuria: Food & Zinfandel Pairings. Teams include Klinker Brick Winery with Fifth Floor, Peachy Canyon Winery with Swan Oyster Depot, Mazzocco Winery with Radio Africa Kitchen, and Carol Shelton Wines with Picán, and many more. Plus there’s the ZinKitchen, where chefs demo their dishes and explain why they pair well with zin. Expect to see chef Mark Dommen and sommelier Tonya Pitts from One Market, chef David Taylor and sommelier Shelley Lindgren from A16, and chef Michael Thiemann and sommelier Ken Wagstaff from Wayfare Tavern. $95 ZAP members, $125 non-members. 635 8th St. at Brannan.

Friday January 27th, experience a Vegas-style Winemakers’ Dinner hosted by the winemakers from 5pm-10pm at The Westin St. Francis. Dress to impress, and for good luck at the live and silent auctions, featuring rare and one-of-a-kind lifestyle lots, with proceeds benefiting ZAP programming, education, and Heritage Projects. Participating wineries include Alderbrook Winery, Ancient Peaks Winery, Artezin Wines, Robert Biale Vineyards, Charter Oak Winery, D-Cubed Cellars, Dogwood Cellars, Four Vines Winery, Grey Wolf Vineyards & Cellars, Hendry Wines, JR Wines, Lange Twins Winery & Vineyards, Mauritson Family Winery, McCay Cellars, Peachy Canyon Winery, Ravenswood, Ridge Vineyards, Rock Wall Wine Company, Rosenblum Cellars, Saddleback Cellars, Scott Harvey Wines, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Carol Shelton Wines, St. Francis Winery & Vineyard, Starry Night Winery, Terra d’Oro, Three Wine Company, Trentadue Winery and Wilson Winery & Vineyards. Get your tickets soon, it’s almost sold out; $225, including an annual advocate membership for two. 335 Powell St. at Geary.

Finally, put it all together on Saturday January 28th for the Grand Tasting: From A To Zin, 2pm-5pm at The Concourse. Taste hundreds of barrel samples and new releases, and meet winemakers from different zinfandel regions—it’s the most comprehensive showing of zinfandel wineries in the world. Members enter at 1pm, and enjoy a complimentary members-only lounge with seminars throughout the day. $49 ZAP members, $59 non-members, $69 at the door.

Ready, set, go! ~SPEED RACK SAN FRANCISCO~ is looking for the fastest female bartender in the city on Sunday January 8th—be there to see who takes home the title of Miss Speed Rack San Francisco. A national cocktail competition with stops in 10 cities, Speed Rack promotes women in the spirits industry while raising funds for breast cancer research and prevention. Boozin’ it up for boobs? Anytime.

Competitors will each make a round of cocktails from a list of 50 accepted industry standard recipes, and judges will rate each drink based on prep time and accuracy. The lovely ladies repping our fair city are Victoria Damato-Moran, Belden Taverna; Rhachel Shaw, Rye; Brooke Arthur, Wo Hing General Store; Tina Ross, Rickhouse; Jennifer Colliau, Slanted Door/Small Hands Foods; Gabrielle Barnes, Cantina; Jennifer Embleton, Rye; Yael Amyra, The New Easy; Jessica Maria, Hotsy Totsy Club (Albany); Claire Sprouse, Rickhouse; Jill Webster, Laszlo; Lauren Steele, Rickhouse/Bourbon & Branch; Melissa Boyd, Beretta; Lucia Creed Gonzales, Prizefighter (Emeryville); Keli Rivers, Hotsy Totsy; Kim Rosselle, Flora/Doña Tomas; Gail Izaguirre, Laszlo; and Danielle Marchant, 222 Hyde. Good luck to all!

The lucky judges include Julie Reiner (Flatiron Lounge, Clover Club, Monkey Bar), Charlotte Voisey (William Grant & Sons), Camper English (Alcademics.com), and Josh Thomsen (executive chef, Meritage at The Claremont). They’ll choose the local winner, who’ll receive $500 and compete in the May 2012 finals in New York.

Get your ticket to witness this fun and unique competition, and you get complimentary punches, cocktails, Trumer Pils beer, and food from Beretta too, plus a chance to win raffle prizes. Tickets are $25-$35 online, or $25 at the door (cash only). 21+ only, don’t forget your ID. 3pm-7pm. Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St. at Duboce.

Due to open tonight (maybe?) in Emeryville is ~HONOR BAR, GRILL & COCKTAILS~, with bar manager Alex Smith (Gitane) and chef Jordan Grosser (Stag Dining Group). The press release mentions cocktails like the Guy Fawkes (gin, PX sherry, Amaro Montenegro, maraschino, acid phosphate, and absinthe), Porfiriato (tequila, guajillo-infused mezcal, Cocchi di Torino, Licor 43, and cinnamon bitters), Bleeding Monarch (bourbon, passion fruit, orgeat, Campari, and balsamico amaro), and The Von Teese (vodka, St-Germain, Mathilde Poire, absinthe, Peychaud’s bitters, and lemon).

Grosser’s menu includes barbecued Texas mop pork ribs, housemade merguez sausage, short rib sliders, and fried chicken (Grub Street posted a copy of the entire menu here). There’s a communal table, pinball machines, vintage art, antique ice boxes, and a red granite bar top. Kitchen hours Tue-Thu 4:30pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4:30pm-1am. The bar will be open until 12:30am Tue-Thu and 1:30am Fri-Sat. 1411 Powell St. at Hollis, Emeryville, 510-653-8667 (currently inactive).

Two new Oakland projects to watch: opening in the former Sweet Jimmie’s on Broadway is ~THE NIGHT LIGHT~, from owners Douglas Kinsey and John Nackley (they both worked at Radio and Ruby Room, and have known each other for more than 20 years). The lounge is going to have an eclectic look spanning the turn of the century to the 1940s, with flocked wallpaper, French empire chandeliers, low lighting, and lots of wood. There will be a cabaret vibe, with DJs, dancing, and bands playing indie rock and Americana. Kinsey said to me, “It’s going to be relaxed, fun, and safe” (as in no more shootings, which is what closed Sweet Jimmie’s). The cocktails will feature new takes on classics, without being too heavy on technique. The lounge will start on the ground floor of the two-story space for now; look for an opening at the end of February. Hours will be daily 4pm-2am. 311 Broadway at 3rd St., Oakland.

According to the East Bay Express, ~THE PARKWAY~ theater-pub will be reopening in Oakland’s Uptown Art Murmur district. The location is “a 7,800-square-foot former sheet-glass factory currently used for special events.” There are many more details in the article, but highlights include plans for two screening rooms, a café and bar area, and hopes to open by the summer/fall. 474 24th St. at Valley, Oakland.

After many months of permits, construction, and all kinds of headaches, ~SOUTHERN PACIFIC BREWING~ is opening for a private preview party of sorts on New Year’s Eve. The Facebook post announces: “New Years Eve @ Southern Pacific Brewing 8pm-2am. Be the first to see the space and taste the beer, Champagne toast at midnight, $3 house drafts all night long! $20 private party get on the list now!” (For those who want to attend, the link on their main website seems to work.) You will be able to taste the brewery’s IPA and pale ale that evening.

I caught up with one of the partners, Anthony LaVia, who tells me the official opening will probably be in mid- to late January—there are still some inspections and paperwork that need to be complete before they can officially open. One piece of news: the team has hired Tyler Moorish (Osteria Coppa, Social Kitchen Brewery) as chef—I should be able to share his gastropub-influenced menu in a few weeks. The tablehopper hardhat piece from July will have to suffice for now.

Down in SoMa, I heard word about ~SOFA~, a new underground bar with a speakeasy style from Franky Boissy and John Michaud that opened in the downstairs space of Bossa Nova. Funnily enough, the space used to be a speakeasy, and the bar dates back to the 1920s. You can swing by for a bite, a drink, and there will also be some entertainment elements, from live music to film screenings. The space is cozy, with rich print walls, amber-hued lighting, and a back bar made of antique radiator pieces. There are also some video visuals being created by artist Stephen King, to create the illusion of looking through windows into another world. Open nightly 5pm until late (could be 1am, or later on Fri-Sat, or earlier). 139 8th St. (speakeasy side street entrance is on Minna), 415-558-8004.

A friend who lives in SoMa told me ~THE GRAND~, the new nightclub opening next door to Orson, was looking close to opening. A peek at their Facebook page reveals the club is opening its doors on New Year’s Eve. Some club info mentions a Funktion One system, lots of VIP amenities (because you are SUCH a baller), “mind-blowing lighting visuals” (is that before or after the drugs kick in?), “club blackouts” (does that mean I will get roofied?), “cryogenics” (is that to help preserve my body before the paramedics come?), and a “magnificent Grand LED Ball consisting of 30,000 individual LED lights will leave you jaw dropped” (so you’re saying I should get dental insurance before coming to the club?). 520 4th St. at Bryant, 415-814-3008.

This month, you have two more chances to swing by ~PRESS CLUB~ for their Visiting Vintner Series, featuring wine tastings from The Scholium Project and Iron Horse Winery. Swing by Thursday December 22nd or 29th from 6pm-9pm, meet winery representatives, and taste their wines. Typically, the wines served during these evenings are only available to taste and buy at the winery locations, so now is the time to enjoy them in the city. 20 Yerba Buena Ln., between Market and Mission.

Over in Berkeley, ~PREMIER CRU~ has opened its new retail store, clocking in at 8,000 square feet. Even though the importer and retailer is known for their hard-to-find and rare wines, they also carry value wines, wines from small producers, and more. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. 1011 University Ave. at 10th St., Berkeley, 510-644-9463.

I have the honor of being included on my dad’s Vietnam War buddy’s email list, which is a good thing because he’s a hilarious human being, and often includes gems like this one below. We have all seen variations on the Holiday Fruit Cake Recipe, but I don’t think I had ever seen the Tequila Christmas Cake. Thanks, Bob! Merry Christmas to you, and anyone else who attempts holiday baking while intoxicated!

Once again, I’ve had requests for my Tequila Christmas Cake recipe.

Please keep this in your files as I am beginning to get tired of typing this up every year!  (Maded mine thish morning!!!!)   1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 cup water, 1 tsp. salt , 1 cup brown sugar, Lemon juice, 4 large eggs, Nuts, 1 bottle tequila, 2 cups dried fruit.   Sample the tequila to check quality. Take………………… a large bowl; check the tequila again to be sure it is of the highest quality….. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point, it is best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eegs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the fruit up off the floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, just pry it loose with a drewscriver Sample the tequila to test for tonsisticity.

Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or something. Check the tequila. Now, shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe the counter with the cat.