Hey gang! You gettin’ into the holiday spirit out there? I definitely got catapulted into holiday spirits at the tablehopper boozy brunch with Westland Distillery at The Saratoga a week ago. We had a full house, full glasses, full pours, and towers of Jenga tots. Guests also got stoked with some seriously cool gift bags, thanks to Westland Distillery. It was a total blast, one of my very favorite tablehopper gatherings.
Thanks to the generosity of our fab guests, we raised $540 for the SF-Marin Food Bank in our raffle! Many, many thanks to everyone who came, and our amazing hosts! If you want some holiday whiskey cheer (and tots), be sure to swing by The Saratoga this month. (Their burger can also be a good late-night friend if you’ve been out hitting holiday parties and need a mop.)
Now, many of you know about my other venture, mymilligram, my new media brand and newsletter (subscribe!) that is all about featuring low-dose cannabis products and educating people on how to explore cannabis use in a low and slow way. Next Tuesday December 18th, I’m hosting a microdoser holiday bazaar at Lost Art Salon, featuring the latest products from eight top local brands, plus some of their special holiday treats too. It’s a non-consumption event, but will be full of education, non-medicated tastes, and there’s an amazing gift bag that you’ll definitely want to get. Hope to see you there! (Tickets are moving quickly, FYI.)
One more fun thing: I put together a hellavated holiday gift guide if you want to take a look at ideas for cool cannabis gifts and holiday products (and more!).
Okay, let me put down my peppermint bark special marshmallow for a sec (ha-ha) and let’s look at the latest articles I’ve written for Table Talk on KQED’s Bay Area Bites, which are full of good eats. This week’s column features a new Japanese-inspired brunch you’ll want to try (soft-shell crab Benedict, I’m just sayin’!), and the Mission has a cozy ramen spot (with incredible taro soft-serve that y’all seemed to like on Instagram!). The holidays are in full swing with affordable Dungeness crab specials, chiles rellenos en nogada in Oakland, and special lunch service at Bix and Campton Place Restaurant. (I went to Bix on Friday night and had a blast—try to make some time to do the same.)
Last week’s Table Talk includes a new Burmese pop-up that will warm your belly (and your heart) in Civic Center, two new Sunday Suppers that won’t break the bank, and a Dominican Christmas feast in Oakland.
I’m currently working on a piece for Blackboard Eats on holiday meals and specials, so be sure to follow tablehopper on Facebook and/or Twitter so you can see that piece when it’s live.
I’ll be posting other fun holiday-related items on social in coming weeks as well…and here’s one right now: did you know ChefsFeed is hosting a treasure hunt of free bites and add-ons in SF from restaurants like Media Noche, Comstock Saloon, Uma Casa, Marla Bakery, Nightbird, Besharam, and more right now? Click through to see how it works. Happy hopping.
The next tablehopper in two weeks would be scheduled for Christmas Day, so, uh, yeah, that isn’t happening. I’ll be in my jammies hanging with the fam and the cats! But we will be starting the New Year with an issue of the bore, of course—gotta keep with tradition!
Like last year, I’m heading down to LA after Christmas, and either spending New Year’s Eve in LA or Palm Springs, I’m waiting to see how things shake out. If you have any new favorites for me to check out down there, I always appreciate your tips! Mwah.
I hope you all have a joyous and abundant and loving holiday season. May it shine brightly! Grateful for your support and kindness throughout the year, wishing all the best to you and yours.
BIG BIG XO! Marcia Gagliardi
We were not having any fun at all at the tablehopper boozy brunch with Westland Distillery at The Saratoga. Nope. Photo by Tali Eisenberg. © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Dec 11 2018
