1. V is for victory
With Slow Food Nation fast approaching, it’s time to get your feet wet with a couple of preliminary Slow events—the first among them being the Victory Garden Celebration Dinner at Acme Chophouse. On July 12, following the planting ceremony of the Victory Garden in Gavin’s backyard, head to Acme for hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a silent auction, followed by a three-course family-style meal prepared by chef Thom Fox. For tickets, click here.



2.  Liberté, égalité and garlic
A true NorCal food experience, the annual Bastille Day party at Chez Panisse on July 14 (which, handily enough, corresponds with the annual garlic harvest) is a feast to behold. Giant peace signs formed with garlic bulbs grace the entryway and the allium-heavy menu features such greatest hits as aïoli, garlic-fed pork and lamb braised with whole cloves. There may still be a few seats left—call 510-548-5525 to reserve.


courtesy of Postcard Communications

3. Something’s fishy
Incanto chef Chris Cosentino fillets and flavors fish for a four-course Italian feast on July 14 to celebrate the ancient Sicilian tuna-hunting ritual known as Mattanza. Reserve a table and gather like the ancient Romans once did for a sumptuous spread of oceanic proportions.



4. Cheers!
Take a sip of Sapporo, knock glasses with your neighbor and say “Kanpai!” (“cheers” in Japanese) for the new kanpai menu at Yoshi’s San Francisco. Chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio has created a new small-plate menu served in the bar area of Yoshi’s. Lounge around, listen to jazz and share Japanese small plates, such as lettuce-wrapped soft-shell crab with chile lime aïoli and grilled baby back ribs with sweet miso glaze. Beer, wine, sake and cocktail specials will vary.

5. Taste of a lifetime
Taste 3, the ultimate weekend of thought-provoking programs about food, wine and art, takes place at COPIA on July 17-19. The hefty registration fee (around $2,000) includes insider tours of Napa (including a private tour of artists’ studios with Margrit Mondavi), an all-star roster of speakers (including journalist Michael Ruhlman, chef Dan Barber and others) and dinners at neighboring wineries. For more information, visit taste3.com.


courtesy of Stefanie Michejda

6. Sake it to us
If you’ve ever wanted to expand your knowledge of sake, here is your chance. On July 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Japanese Society of Northern California will host a sake workshop at Sozai restaurant, located at 1500 Irving Street. The tasting will detail different types of sake and explain how to pair the spirit with Japanese tapas, as well as introduce neophytes to sake-related vocabulary (all Japanese language levels are welcome).  For more information, click here. Space is limited; RSVP by Thursday, July 10. Participants who would like to stay and dine at Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge after the program will receive 10 percent off their dinner bill.

7. Good Altitude
Journey through one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, Alto Adige, by way of its Pinot Bianco, Müller Thurgau and Gewürztraminer grapes. Fly on over to Ottimista, on Union Street, on July 16 to catch a discussion about the history, topography and, of course, the food and wine of the Dolomite Mountains. The seminar includes educational materials, wine tasting and food pairings for $55.  Make your travel plans by calling 415-674-8400.