Brace yourselves...it's going to be a major week.
Look out for annual must-sees like Night Bloom at Conservatory of Flowers, West Coast Craft, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Macy's animal-icious holiday windows, and the tree lighting at Jack London Square. Plus, new bars, restaurants, brunches, and more.
Have a good one!
Monday, November 18th
Crab, Lobster & Truffle Lunch Specials
11am to 9pm weekdays; noon to 7pm weekends
Luke's Lobster, 92 2nd St. (SoMa), lukeslobster.com
Now until February, Luke's Lobster is serving seasonal lunch items including lobster mac 'n cheese with mascarpone cheddar sauce and garlic breadcrumbs, white truffle lobster rolls, Dungeness crab rolls, and a grilled cheese mash-up packed with lobster.
Pumpkin-Themed Dinner
5:30pm to 10pm, Monday through Wednesday
Trestle, 531 Jackson St. (FiDi), trestlesf.com
Head over to Trestle for an autumnal three-course prix-fixe with dishes including pumpkin curry soup; goat cheese risotto with pumpkin; sugar pie pumpkin ravioli; black cod with miso-pumpkin espuma; and a pumpkin spiced latte semifreddo for dessert. // $39 per person, make reservations via trestlesf.com.
Chubby Noodle's new location
Chubby Noodle, 570 Green St. (North Beach), chubbynoodle.com
Chubby Noodle fans will be pumped for the restaurant's return to its original pop-up locale. Swing by for classic Chinese street food dishes, plus more seating both indoors and out. Big bonus: This location also has a full liquor license and new cocktail menu. Bottomless brunch will start in December.
Pint Sized Plays
8pm to 10pm today; November 25; December 2, 10, and 16
PianoFight, 144 Taylor St. (Tenderloin), pianofight.com
Gear up for a season full of drunk coworkers and festive work functions with Pint Sized Plays: Office Holiday Party edition. The selection of six mini plays—and of course plenty of beer—is sure to have you cracking up. // Tickets (free or make a donation) can be found on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, November 19th
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
7pm
Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway (Oakland), paramounttheatre.com
You've never seen The Nutcracker like this before. Catch a remixed version of the classic holiday show with hip hop dance routines, an electric violinist, and a DJ on stage. // Tickets ($40 and up) are available on hiphopnutcracker.com.
Caviar bumps!
4pm to 9pm, Tuesday through Friday
The Bump Bar, 1403 Bridgeway (Sausalito), californiacaviar.com
Caviar lovers rejoice—there's a new restaurant and bar devoted to the salty morsels. You'll be greeted at the door with a caviar bump. Then, snack on one of five different types of caviar with the traditional accompaniments (blinis, egg, onion, and creme fraiche); opt for a three-caviar tasting flight; or go all out with a seven-course tasting menu ($125) featuring caviar-laced dishes such as grilled lobster, fluke crudo, croquets, and black cod. // Snag a reservation on Tock.
Sausage Fest
11am to 10pm, daily
Berliner Berliner, 535 Haight St. (Lower Haight)
Rosamunde Sausage Grill recently closed up shop, but another sausage spot is in the house. Berliner Berliner is a slightly refreshed space serving classic Rosamunde sausages as well as new items—think Kringel bratwurst, currywurst, jam doughnuts, and vegan sausages. Burger Tuesdays are still in effect.
Wednesday, November 20th
Wines of the '70s
9:30pm and 10pm seatings
Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission), lazybearsf.com
Head to Lazy Bear for a one-night-only wine dinner featuring 1970s vintage including a 1977 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Bites and wine history lesson included. // Tickets ($200/person) are on Tock.
A Comic Book–Themed Bar
5pm to 2am, Tuesday through Saturday
First Edition, 1915 Broadway (Oakland), facebook.com
Grab a drink among superheroes and villains at First Edition, a new Oakland bar with an engaging menu of 24 drinks and tacos from neighboring Xolo Taqueria.
Holiday Craft Fair
10am to 2pm, Wednesday and Thursday
Textile Arts Collaborative, 2500 Fifth Ave. (San Rafael), cedarslife.org
Shop handmade textiles, treats, soaps, and more at this event put on by Cedars, a group empowering creative adults with disabilities. All goods are made by local artists and craftspeople, who will take home 50 to 100 percent of their sales. Cash or check only. // Event info on cedarslife.org.
Thursday, November 21st
Warren Miller's Ski Bum Bash
7pm to 10pm
Marine Layer Workshop, 1572 California St. (Nob Hill), marinelayer.com
Celebrate Marine Layer's newest winter collection, inspired by all things retro. Join their team for a special release party, complete with old school ski films, boozy snow cones, s'mores, shotskis, a photo booth, live vinyl DJ, and discounts on all the merch. // Tickets ($15) can be purchased on Eventbrite.Arctic Refuge Experience
Noon to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm today and tomorrow; noon to 8pm Saturday; 11am to 7pm Sunday
Capitol Art, 3073 17th St. (Mission), capitolartsf.com
Immersive sensations such as programmable wind and custom scents, as well as 4D technology and film will transport you to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in this magical pop up filled with polar bears, foxes, and caribou. You'll learn how Big Oil could harm this nearly 19 million acres of untouched land—and take a stand by becoming a shareholder in the No Waaay Corp. // Tickets ($10 and up) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Patisserie & Boutique at One65, 165 O'Farrell St. (Union Square), one65sf.com
The French know that the third Thursday of November is always dedication to the celebration of that year's Beaujolais Nouveau release. Join in the annual festivities at One65 and partake of a charcuterie buffet and two glasses of Beaujolais Nouveau. // Tickets ($30) are available on sevenrooms.com.
A Tale of Despereaux: A New Musical
7pm
Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. (Berkeley), berkeleyrep.org
Based on Kate DiCamillo's novel and animated film, The Tale of Despereaux follows the journey of a courage little mouse battling the societal norms of mice to show his love for literature and humans. // Tickets ($25 and up) are available at berkeleyrep.org.
Friday, November 22nd
2019 Wizard World Convention
4pm to 9pm Friday; 10am to 7pm Saturday; 10am to 4pm Sunday
Oakland Convention Center, 550 10th St. (Oakland), oaklandconventioncenter.com
If you believe in magic, head to this special festival celebrating mystical movies, comics, video games, TV shows, art, and more. Catch Q&A sessions with celebs including Jeff Goldblum, Jewel Staite (Firefly), Neil McDonough (Star Trek), Brian Krause (Charmed), Claudia Wells (Back to the Future), and pro wrestler Kevin Nash. // Tickets ($30 and up) are available on wizardworld.com.
Girls Who Run the World
6pm to 8pm
The Assembly, 449 14th St. (Mission), theassembly.com
Join a conversation about powerful women in business with Diana Kapp, author of Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business; Candy Store founder Diane Campbell; Credo Beauty founder Annie Jackson; and Peaches & Kate cofouncers Peaches Wright and Kate Gerrity. // Register (1 credit or $10) on theassembly.com.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
5pm to 8pm, tree lighting at 6:30pm
Jack London Square, 472 Water St. (Oakland), jacklondonsquare.com
Get in the holiday groove with the lighting of Jack London Square's 50-foot Christmas tree. While you're there you can explore pop-up shops, a craft market, and watch live entertainment. // Free to attend, details on jacklondonsquare.com.
Macy's Holiday Windows
10am to 7pm daily through January 1 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Macy's 170 O'Farrell St. (Union Square), macys.com
SF's cutest holiday display is here! Peer in the windows to pick out an adoptable puppy or kitten—or chinchilla, rabbit, or guinea pig—courtesy of the San Francisco SPCA and Animal Care & Control. Can't make it to the real thing? Join in on the fun via livestream beginning today.
Night Bloom
5pm to 11pm, select evenings tonight through January 5
Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Dr. (Golden Gate Park), conservatoryofflowers.org
Enchanting light installations, including geometric art pieces by Oakland-based artists HYBYCOZO, illuminate the Conservatory of Flowers' galleries and facade during this annual holiday experience. In addition to ogling at the 'grammable twinkling lights, enjoy beverages and bites from food trucks under the stars, and even imbibe inside brand new Bloom Lounge—an exclusive inflatable dome complete with sparkling wine and whisky. // Tickets ($29 or $75 for access to the Bloom Lounge plus an around the world whiskey or wine flight and grilled cheese or sweet bites) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Life on Ice
9:30am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday; 11am to 5pm Sundays
Cal Academy, 55 Music Concourse Drive (Golden Gate Park), calacademy.org
Mingle with a few live reindeer and catch special exhibits around plants and animals living in polar regions. Look out for snow flurries twice every hour. // Tickets ($15) can be found on calacademy.org.
Saturday, November 23rd
West Coast Craft
10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina), fortmason.org
It's the most wonderful time of the year—time for West Coast Craft. Check off everyone on your list at this free two-day event where you'll find artisan goods and apparel like ethical undies, cheeky ceramics, dainty earrings, and everything in between. // See the complete list of vendors at westcoastcraft.com.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party
10am to 7pm Saturdays and Sundays, through December 22nd
Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave (Daly City), cowpalace.com
Whether it's your first time or a regular holiday tradition, there are few good ole fashioned festivities to rival this annual Dickensian fair. Get into costume to mingle with the characters and peruse the shops, pubs, dance halls, and music venues. You'll feel transported to London at Christmastime. // Tickets ($25 and up) are available at dickensfair.com.Bay Area Record Fest
Noon to 7pm
7th West, 1255 7th St. (Oakland), 7thwest.com
Get your groove on at Bay Area Record Fest—otherwise known as B.A.R.F—alongside 13 Bay Area labels. Enjoy six local acts including Sonny & The Sunsets and Zelma Stone, add to your record collection, try your hand at arcade games, sip drinks from Deep Eddy Vodka and Oskar Blues Brewery, and more. // Free to attend with RSVP.
Brunch With Bubbly
Noon on weekends
The Riddler, 528 Laguna St. (Hayes Valley), theriddlersf.com
Champagne and brunch are a match made in heaven—no wonder Hayes Valley hot spot is now serving our favorite midday meal on weekends. Stop in for a few glasses of bubbly alongside such breakfast eats as Belgian waffles with cherries and hazelnuts; yogurt parfait with dates and granola; and a savory grain bowl topped with smoked salmon, poached eggs, and avocado. Plus, cocktails!
Cooking & Cocktail Class
Noon to 1:30pm
CUESA Kitchen at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, One Ferry Building (Embarcadero), cuesa.org
In this hands-on cooking class, you'll play with seasonal ingredients—apples, pears, pomegranates, persimmons—as you learn the art of crafting a good drink and paired bites for the entertaining season. Class will be taught by the bartenders of Wildhawk. // Tickets ($45) can be bought on Eventbrite.
Sunday, November 24th
White Truffle & Barolo Dinner
5pm and 8:30pm seatings
Sorrel, 3228 Sacramento St. (Laurel Heights), sorrelrestaurant.com
Back for its second year, this eight-course meal promises a delicious range of dishes—fluke crudo, poached haddock, chestnut flour tortelli with rabbit—all infused with scrumptious white truffles. // Reservations ($295/person, $150 wine pairings) are available on whitetruffle.brownpapertickets.com or by emailing info@sorrelrestaurant.com.
6pm
Doña Tomás, 5004 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland), donatomas.com
In case you haven't heard, Doña Tomás is closing their current location and reopening in December on Piedmont Avenue. And, they're sending the place out in style with complimentary food, a piñata, raffle, live mariachi band, selfie wall, drinks, and more. // Free to attend, keep an eye on Instagram for more details.
Chocolate Salon
10am to 5pm
San Francisco County Fair Building Auditorium, 1199 9th Ave. (Golden Gate Park), sfrecpark.org
Satisfy your sweet tooth at this annual chocolate-y extravaganza. Mix and mingle with fellow chocolate lovers, learn from experts, sample gourmet chocolates (vendors include Z. Cioccolato, Flying Noir, and Socola Chocolatier), and wash it all down with a few glasses of wine. // Tickets ($20) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
