Halloween is done and Thanksgiving's not quite here—you'd think this would be a quiet week.
But if you thought you were saving yourself for culinary indulgences, forget about it: This week is all about wine, truffles, chocolate, and beer.
Monday, November 12th
White Truffle Season
When: Business hours, through Saturday, Nov. 17
Where: Perbacco, 230 California St. (FiDi), perbaccosf.com
Why: It's hard to find something we love more than truffles. Make a visit this week to Perbacco for the best white truffles of the season, offered in a variety of a la carte dishes or shaved tableside on just about anything your heart desires, including such ultra-rich options as truffle risotto, veal tartare, burrata, and tagliatelle with truffle meatballs. Keep an eye out for a few black autumn truffles to be featured on the menu as well. // View the special truffle menu on perbacco.com and make your reservations via opentable.com.
Thanksgiving-Flavored Ice Cream!
When: Throughout November
Where: Salt & Straw locations and via Postmates, saltandstraw.com
Why: Traditional turkey is dry and boring. Get it spiked with salted caramel and in ice cream form at Salt & Straw, where Thanksgiving flavors are back—think Roasted Cranberry Sauce Sorbet, Sweet Potato Casserole with Maple Pecans, Spiced Goat Cheese & Pumpkin Pie, and Roasted Peach & Sage Cornbread Stuffing. In the spirit of the holidays, S&S will be donating one pint for each pint purchased to Food Runners to help alleviate hunger.
The Third Annual Saucy Awards
When: 7 to 10pm
Where: Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave (Civic Center), sfwmpac.org
Why: You'll mingle with culinary masterminds at this ceremony recognizing our local chefs, rising stars, beverage professionals, and hospitality leaders at a ceremony and reception put together by Meadowood Catering. Proceeds benefit the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. // Tickets ($149) for the awards ceremony and reception are available at cityboxoffice.com.
Tuesday, November 13th
Friendsgiving Yoga
When: 6:15 to 9:15pm
Where: Bluxome Street Winery, 53 Bluxome St. (SoMa)
Why: Pair an hour of self-care lead by yogi Julianne Aiello with a meal provided by local vendors, as well as kombucha and wine. $10 from every ticket will support At the Crossroads, a local organization working with homeless youth. // Tickets (starting at $39) and info available at facebook.com.
Spanish Winemaker Dinner
When: 6:30 to 9:30pm
Where: Bellota, 888 Brannan St. (SoMa), bellotasf.com
Why: We're always happy to toast with a glass of Spanish wine. Tonight, Bellota is hosting two Spanish wine experts, Manel Avinyó of Clos Lentiscus, and Rubén Parera of Finca Parera, for a feast paired with Catalonia sparkling, white, and red wines. // Reservations ($100/person) can be made by calling the restaurant at 415.430.6580.
Wednesday, November 14th
A Special Winter Pre-Fixe
When: 5:30 to 10pm
Where: Lord Stanley, 2065 Polk St (Russian Hill), lordstanleysf.com
Why: Michelin-starred restaurant Lord Stanley will be open for dinner on Sundays starting in December, serving up four-course suppers focusing on the chef's favorite winter dishes. Get a sneak peek (and a one-time discounted rate) of the new menu this Wednesday. // $55/person; reservations can be made at lordstanleysf.com/reserve.
SheChange Film Fundraiser
When: 6 to 9pm
Where: Canopy, 595 Pacific Ave., fourth floor (Jackson Square)
Why: Local surfing champ Bianca Valenti, California Coastal Commissioner Mark Vargas, and Wickr CEO Nico Sell will be in the house for a discussion with filmmaker Sachi Cunningham, who will be screening the trailer for her new documentary, SheChange, about female big wave surfers fighting for equity in the sport. // For tickets ($35) and info, go to eventbrite.com.
Drink to Beaujolais Nouveau
When: 6 to 9pm
Where: El Sur, 300 De Haro St. (Potrero Hill)
Why: Every year, during the third week in November, the French lose their minds over the release of the year's Beaujolais Nouveau. Tonight, the folks from L'Apero and El Sur are putting an Argentine flavor on the classic wine celebration, serving traditional empanadas to pair with the wine. // Free to attend; for more info, go to eventbrite.com.
Thursday, November 15th
Mission Street Food Anniversary Party
When: 5:30 to 10pm
Where: The Perennial, 59 Ninth St. (SoMa), theperennialsf.com
Why: Before there was Mission Chinese Food, there were Mission Street Food pop-ups. In a nod to those olden days, MCF cofounder and chef Anthony Myint, along with The Perennial cofounder Karen Leibowitz, is bringing in guest chefs—including the likes of Jason Fox (Commonwealth), Josey Baker (The Mill), Liz Prueitt (Tartine), and more—to cook up some epic dishes for one night only. Proceeds will go to charity. // Each dish is $10; purchase ahead of time on theperennialsf.com.
Get Tickets to Lazy Bear Den
When: 10am
Where: The Lazy Bear Den, 3416 19th St. (Mission), lazybearsf.com
Why: In-the-know foodies have likely heard whispers that Lazy Bear is shaking things up in the upstairs mezzanine. As of December 1st, the Lazy Bear Den will offer an à la carte menu of snacks (a nice contrast from the prix-fixe menu downstairs) and excellent wines. Starting at 10am today, you can jockey for ressies, which will be available nightly starting at 9:30pm. Get ready to snag tickets to the hottest new dinner in town. // Reservations will be live on lazybearsf.com.
Goop Pop-up
When: 11am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday; 11am to 6pm Sunday; through Dec. 24th (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Where: The Kooples, 2241 Fillmore St. (Pac Heights)
Why: Kick off the holiday season with some shopping as Goop pops up once again in SF to showcase an expertly curated selection of clothing, beauty products, home accessories, and experiences for everyone on your list. Personalization, wrapping, and delivery services will be available.
Friday, November 16th
Ice Skate Through Golden Gate Park
When: 10am to 12:30pm and 1-4:30pm Monday through Saturday; 11am to 12:30pm and 1-4:30pm Sunday, through Jan. 6
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park), calacademy.org
Why: Get in the full-on holiday spirit as GGP becomes a winter wonderland right outside of Cal Academy with an ice daily rink and several upcoming special events. // Tickets ($10) for skating include admission and skate rental, and can be purchased on site.
Top Golf Crush
When: Through Nov. 18
Where: AT&T Park (Mission Bay)
Why: Move over, mini golf. Crush out some golf balls from the Alaska Airlines Club level seating area onto the field at AT&T Park. Because fun! // Tickets (starting at $50) include all-day access, clubs, a one-hour slot to play, and more activities, are available at mlb.com/giants/ballpark/events/topgolf.
Botanicals & Brews
When: 6:30 to 11:30pm
Where: SF Conservatory of Flowers (Golden Gate Park)
Why: Last call for the season! Head to closing night of this popular beer garden event in the shadow of the wildly illuminated Conservatory. There will be food trucks, music, wine, and beer, of course, from Standard Deviant and New Bohemia Brewing Co. // Tickets (starting at $27) are available at conservatoryofflowers.org.
Saturday, November 17th
WinterBlast
When: 5 to 9:30pm
Where: SOFA Santa Rosa Arts District, 312 South A St. (Santa Rosa), sonomacounty.com
Why: This eclectic arts festival and parade of sofas (uh huh) is a mobile furniture feast for the eyes. Stay for the street performers, fire dancers, live music, and food trucks, and visit more than 30 open-house art studios. // Free to attend; for event information, go to sofasantarosa.com.
Sonoma Tree Lighting Celebration
When: 5 to 8pm
Where: Historic Sonoma Plaza, 453 1st St. E, (Sonoma), sonomaplaza.com
Why: The charming town square will come alive with 250,000 twinkling lights. The lighting ceremony will feature a performance by Transcendence Theatre Company, and free hot chocolate, cider, and cookies. Local wine and food vendors will also be on site. // Free to attend; find more information on sonomavalley.com.
West Coast Craft
When: 10am to 6pm, through Sunday Nov. 18
Where: Fort Mason Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina), fortmason.org
Why: The bi-annual craft fair is your chance to scoop up goods crafted and forged by local makers and artisans. Shop jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, hats, artwork, bags, clothing, housewares, and more. // Event is free to attend, find more info on westcoastcraft.com.
Sunday, November 18th
(Photo by Monique Carrati on Unsplash)
Ugly Sweater Puppy Pics
When: 10:30am to 4:30pm
Where: Williams-Sonoma, 340 Post St. (Union Square)
Why: Because deep down inside, you yearn to don a Christmas sweater and take a holiday-card-ready photo with your furry bestie. Dreams come true today as photographer Rachel Simpson teams with Hilarious Hound to offer 15-minute sessions that come with a 5x7 archival print and a hi res digital file you can keep forever and ever. // Space is limited. Book your spot ($120; 10% proceeds benefit Hopalong Animal Rescue) at eventbrite.com.
Fall Chocolate Festival
When: 10am to 5pm
Where: SF County Fair Building, 9th Ave. and Lincoln Way (Inner Sunset)
Why: Duh, it's chocolate. Taste the fine stuff at this Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon, where more than 25 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries, and culinary artisans will be gathering for a tasty prelude to the holiday season. // For more info, go to facebook.com.
