Your guide to the tastiest foodie happenings going down this week. Bon appetit!
Tapas Cala Opens This Weekend
Chef Gabriela Camara is on a roll. Six months after opening her first U.S. restaurant, Cala, in Hayes Valley, and only three months after opening her back-alley taco shop, Camara has a new venture, Tapas Cala, and we couldn't be more excited. Officially launching this weekend, the back of the restaurant (which houses Tacos Cala during the lunch hour) will turn into Tapas Cala at night. You'll be able to order drinks and smaller bites, including the to-die-for trout tostada (#3 on this year's The Big Eat List). It's only open Friday and Saturday night, to start. // Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm, 149 Fell St. (Hayes Valley), calarestaurant.com
Locanda Launches Brunch Service
Just in time to welcome Spring and feed the pastel-clad Easter crowds, Locanda launches its weekend brunch service Saturday—with a Roman twist, of course: The holy Roman culinary trinity of mint, black pepper, and pecorino is alive and well on the menu. The Eggs Benedict Carbonara, for instance, is an umami fest of poached eggs, prosciutto cotto, and a “cacio e pepe" hollandaise. Cornmeal pancakes are adorned with tangy creme fraiche and rhubarb conserva. A flight of bacon (because a mere side of bacon wouldn't cut the mustard on this menu) includes house-cured and applewood-smoked preparations. If fatty-smoky pig aplenty isn't your thing, make like many die-hard gourmands and go for the cow instead: The Trippa alla Romana—slow-braised tripe with tomato, mint, pancetta, and pecorino—is an unexpected addition to the brunch table, but well worth the daring required. Once you cap off the repast with a boozy drinking caramel sprinkled with sassafras and black pepper, all that's left to do is waddle home to sleep off the well-earned food coma. —Leilani Marie Labong // Saturday-Sunday, 10:30am-2pm, 557 Valencia (Mission), locandasf.com
City of Gold Makes its Big Screen Debut
“City of Gold," a documentary about PuIitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold (a.k.a. The Belly of Los Angeles), will debut on Friday, March 25th at the Embarcadero Center Cinema. Gold and director Laura Gabbert will be at the 7:05pm screening for a Q&A following the film. Gold will also be in conversation with director Laura Gabbert at The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturday, March 26th from 12-1pm (seating is closed but standing room is available). // 7:05pm, 1 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco. Get tickets here.
Cherry Blossom Festival at Ozumo
In Japan, the Cherry Blossom Festival marks the beginning of spring, and Ozumo is celebrating by showcasing weekly dishes and hand-crafted cocktails inspired by the new season. Highlights include pan seared spring fish with kelp linguini and English peas or pickled beets and leek flan. The menu changes weekly, so you'll just have to head over more than once! // March-April 17th, 161 Steuart St. (Embarcadero), Reserve here.
Zero Food Print Launch Party
Celebrate the official launch of Zero Foodprint, the nonprofit started by Anthony Myint (Mission Chinese Food, The Perennial) and Chris Ying (EIC of Lucky Peach). Enjoy light snacks and cocktails as you learn about the nonprofit's work and how to offset individual dining carbon footprints. All proceeds benefit ZFP. // $50, 59 9th St. (Mid-Market), Get tickets here.
Omar Mamoon is the founder of Dough & Co.
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