Some exciting news from innovative pastry chef Luis Villavelazquez (China Live, Eight Tables, Orson): he’s launching a public-facing experience from his Tenderloin pastry and dessert consultancy Les Éléments, offering multi-course, dessert-tasting events. Tamara Palmer at 48 Hills has all the details (and pics from a preview tasting). The first tasting menu launches on Saturday March 26th at 7pm—it will continue on Saturdays through April 30th. (Here’s the preview menu—you’ll note plenty of savory elements, it’s not just a sweet-fest.) There’s room for up to ten people. The price is $65, plus an 18 percent service charge. Reserve by sending a direct message to @leselements on Instagram. 442 Hyde St. at O’Farrell.
My friend Leo, the chef-owner at Kirimachi Ramen, is hosting his friend Sumi on Fridays for Sake Omakase, a pop-up event that features about 5-7 carefully selected sakes with a variety of paired seasonal appetizers, from Japanese-style seafood to French-inspired bites as well. The latest menu includes dishes like scallop carpaccio, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) vegetable rolls, Satsuma wagyu beef with koji salt, and hojicha warabi mochi and pudding for dessert. Sake selections include Ryujin Hidden Ginjo Namazume and Oze JDG Genshu—you can see the latest seasonal menu on the site. The meal is $150 including tax, but not gratuity. Fridays, 6pm, book here. 3 Embarcadero Center.
Black garlic pain au lait and Farmstead Creamery stinging nettle biscuit, part of the Les Éléments tasting menu. Photo courtesy of Tamara Palmer.
