Your guide to the tastiest foodie happenings going down this week.
Tony's Slice House Opens in Haight
Pizza demigod Tony Gemignani is expanding his pizza empire with the opening of Slice House Haight Ashbury. In addition to his usual range of slices, the 12-time world pizza champion pays tribute to the neighborhood with specials such as The Doors-inspired Love Me Two Times with pesto, mozzarella, double garlic, and sun dried tomato and The Purple Haze with purple potatoes, pancetta, rosemary and other herbs. // Open daily, 1535 Haight St. (Upper Haight), slicehousehaight.com
Una Pizza Napoletana Now Open for Lunch
In other pizza news, Anthony Mangieri's authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas are now available at lunch time. Since the restaurant's opening in 2010, Una Pizza has only been open four nights a week and for dinner only. So if you've yet to experience Mangieri's craftsmanship, now is the time. He makes all the dough himself and fires each and every single pizza by himself. It's a thing to behold! // Open for lunch Wednesday-Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 210 11th St (SoMa), unapizza.com
Rintaro Starts Lunch Service
In other notable lunch news, Japanese izakaya Rintaro is also open for the midday meal. Guests order teishoku-style—a pre-set meal thaty includes a main dish, miso soup, a bowl of rice and other seasonal bites. Dishes include Japanese curry with hand rolled udon and Santa Barbara spot prawn tempura, a side of Napa cabbage, and dashi simmered kabocha squash; or opt for the millefeuille miso katsu pork with rice, miso soup, and komatsuna (a Japanese leafy green). // Open for lunch Thursday-Saturday, 11:30am-1:30pm, 82 14th St (Mission), izakayarintaro.com
Junju Pop-up at Nightbird
Chef Robin Song (Central Kitchen, Hog & Rocks) is doing a pop-up at the recently opened Nightbird in Hayes Valley to promote his upcoming restaurant Junju. Expect an impressive menu, merging Korean flavors with local ingredients, for the two night pop-up. The nine-course menu contains caviar, dumplings, crab with fermented Korean chili, Wagyu Shortib with sesame oil and herbs, and more tasty bites. There'll also be an optional natural wine pairing. // $95, December 18 +19, 330 Gough St (Hayes Valley), Get tickets here.
Frances & Octavia's Holiday Market
Chef Melissa Perello of Octavia and Frances is holding her first ever holiday market. There'll be snacks and beverages from both Perello and pastry chef Sarah Bonar while you peruse through pottery from Sarah Kersten, floral arrangements from The Petaler, pieces from local artists and more. A portion of the proceeds from the market will be donated to the San Francisco Food Bank, so you can shop in good conscience. // December 19, 1pm-5pm, 3870 17th St (Castro), facebook.com/events
El Techo Fundraiser for La Cocina
Join El Techo on the shortest day of the year for a winter solstice party on their covered and heated(!) roof. Bar manager Alvaro Rojas will be serving a special $5 cocktail menu, including a hot black tea-infused mescal drink with all-spice, lemon, and molasses. All proceeds from the cocktails will be donated to nearby Mission neighbors La Cocina. // December 21, 4pm-10:30pm, 2516 Mission St. (Mission), eltechosf.com
Gather in Berkeley is celebrating its seven year anniversary with a seven-day bash of food and drink specials. Glasses of bubbly and the entire cocktail menu will be only $7 each including concoctions such as the Northern Exposure with scotch, Earl Grey-maple syrup, lemon, egg white and bitters. Plus, look for special dishes highlighting the restaurant's favorite purveyors such as sea urchin risotto with Matsutake mushrooms, sea palm and Buddha's hand ($17) and Yuba Pappardelle with okara mushroom bolognese and whipped tofu ($24). Yum! // Open daily, 2200 Oxford St (Berkeley), gathersf.com
