It’s the time of year when my inbox is utterly flooded with holiday meals, events, and more. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! :) I’m just going to put together a quick cheat sheet for you here, have fun out there!
Events: This Thursday December 14th, BUFFALO THEORY is hosting an event to collect toys for The San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program. All guests will have the opportunity to have a photo op with Santa Claus while enjoying complimentary appetizers. Those who donate an unwrapped new toy will receive a raffle ticket for each toy they donate for a chance to win prizes! 5pm-9pm. 1735 Polk St. at Washington.
If you’re doing some holiday shopping downtown, Off the Grid is hosting their annual Winter Walk every day through December 31st from 8am-9pm. Come by for seasonal food and drinks (yes, with alcohol!), pose for #awkwardfamilyphotos, and check out special holiday performances and interactive holiday experiences. The pedestrian plaza runs a two-block stretch of Union Square on Stockton Street (between Ellis and Geary). Check out the lineup of events and food vendors here, which includes Johnny Doughnuts, Del Popolo, RoliRoti, and more.
Up in St. Helena, ACACIA HOUSE by Chris Cosentino at Las Alcobas Napa Valley is hosting an amazing holiday series (from December 18th-24th) with stellar guest chefs: Feast of the Seven Cultures. The guest chefs include Roland Passot (La Folie, San Francisco) representing France; Traci Des Jardins (Jardinière, San Francisco) representing Mexico; Abraham Conlon and Adrienne Lo (Fat Rice, Chicago) representing Portugal; Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Avec, Big Star, and most recently, Publican Anker, Chicago) representing Germany; Jamie Bissonnette (Toro, Boston) representing Spain; Staffan Terje (Perbacco, San Francisco) representing Italy; and Chris Cosentino (Acacia House, St. Helena) representing California. Each chef will create a one-night-only tasting menu featuring both plated and family-style dishes. Click here and scroll down to see each menu, they are incredible. Did someone say sweetbread schnitzel?
Dinners are $190 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) with an optional beverage pairing for $95. Two seatings are available at 5pm-6pm and 7:30pm-8:30pm. A portion of proceeds from the dinners will go to Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. And you should seriously consider staying the night so you can just amble to bed after dinner. 1915 Main St., St. Helena, 707-963-7004.
And don’t forget to save the date for the tablehopper holiday dinner, featuring beef Wellington and Bruichladdich at MAYBECK’S on Wednesday December 27th! Details coming to @tablehopper on social media ASAP!
Holiday Treats:
It’s Hanukkah, which means it’s time to get your latkes on. You can avoid the oil fry-up if you want and pick some up at Bi-Rite Market, Luke’s Local, and Market Hall Foods in the East Bay. Also: don’t forget the brisket. Or get the Wise Sons latke kit on Good Eggs. And ~WISE SONS DELI~ also has sufganiyot!
There’s also a holiday-inspired pastrami taco at ~TACOLICIOUS~, featuring pastrami courtesy of Meat by Pete!
And don’t forget, every year ~DELFINA~ has special Hannukah dishes on the menu (December 12th-20th), including duck fat-fried latkes!
For the entire month of December, Traci Des Jardins will be selling her famous tamales at MIJITA, a holiday tradition. You can order roasted pork, or grilled poblano peppers with Oaxacan cheese, both served with guajillo sauce. Each tamale is $5, and get one free tamale with each dozen purchased. Place your order here and pick up at Mijita!
Get your holiday tamale fix at Mijita. Photo courtesy of Mijita.
