Your weekly dose of delicious.
August 1 Five Celebrates Holi
Holi, the festival of colors, is a Hindu celebration hailing from India and Nepal that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. August 1 Five, the new modern Indian restaurant on Van Ness, is celebrating with festive dishes. Chef Manish Tyagi will be serving up Dahi Bhalla, a colorful street food of fermented black lentils, tamarind chutney, green mint chutney, white yogurt, red chili powder, and purple beet dust, and a Kulfi falooda, a dense Indian ice cream made with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and fine vermicelli noodles, to help cool things down. // March 13th—April 13th (closed Sundays), 524 Van Ness (Civic Center)., august1five.com
Presidio Picnic Returns Sunday
Spring is here, which means more sunlight, asparagus at the farmers market, and of course, Presidio Picnic, hosted by The Presidio Trust and Off the Grid, returns this Sunday. New vendors this year include Arepa, Marla Bakery, Hookt Mini Dougnuts, and Senor Sesig; returning vendors include Del Popolo, DUM Truck, Nopalito, The Whole Beast, and Wing Wings, home of San Francisco's best fried chicken. // Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Main Parade Ground at The Presidio (Presidio), presidiopicnic.com
Café Opens in Benny Gold
Mission residents have a new place to get caffeinated. Benny Gold, San Francisco's favorite skater/designer, has opened up a café inside his eponymous brick-and-mortar retail storefront on Valencia. He has copper cauldrons brewing small batches of chai from Samovar tea lounge (there are hot and iced versions), as well as pour-overs with beans from Four Barrel. // Open daily, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., 968 Valencia St (Mission), bennygold.com
Back Pocket Pasta at Barzotto
Back Pocket Pasta, the pasta book written by Colu Henry, is on a cross-country book tour. She's stopping at Barzotto next Tuesday and Barzotto will be cooking up a few dishes from the book to celebrate. Colu will be on hand to answer your pasta questions and sign books. // $50, Tuesday March 21, 7-9 p.m., 1270 Valencia St (Mission). Get tickets here.
California Artisan Cheese Festival
The California Artisan Cheese Festival is rapidly approaching. The non-profit celebration of all things cheese takes place from March 24-26 in Petaluma and this year is chock full of new offerings to help raise more money for local farmers and cheesemakers, including farm tours, two intimate cheesemaker dinners, and a champagne brunch hosted by The Cheese Twins, the Food Network's newest cheese-loving stars. // $20-$150, March 24-26, 745 Baywood Drive (Petaluma). Get tickets here.
