Want to get into the holiday spirit? Some twinkly lights and latke tots and panettone can help. Here are a few special meals and treats, stand by for more in a couple weeks (and follow me @tablehopper on Instagram for more updates.
Great news: One Market’s New York-style deli pop-up, Mark ‘n Mike’s, has been held over by popular demand though the end of the year, and will also be open the first three Saturdays in December (Dec. 5th, 12th, and 19th) from 11:30am-7pm. Latkes are coming for Hanukkah, there are all the meats and sides you could want, and there’s a new smoked trout on a Boichik sesame bagel with herb cream cheese, avocado, pickle, and arugula.
Of course, Wise Sons has you covered, with roasted brisket, latkes, sufganiyot, matzo ball soup, and the option of a complete Hanukkah dinner. You can preorder and read all the Bay Area pickup details here.
Canela has a couple of Hanukkah-at-home meal options, with latkes by the dozen and mandel bread, and if you’re in the East Bay, Pomella has a meal for four, which includes matzo ball soup, brisket tagine with dry fruits and preserved lemons, housemade frozen latkes, and more; vegetarian options available, too.
I was just about to hit send on this newsletter and noticed La Cocina is offering an awesome spin on their weekly community food box, offering a variety of Hanukkah boxes for 12/9 and 12/11!
Che Fico has a Chanukah to-go menu available for pick-up at Che Fico Alimentari on December 10th-11th (order by December 8th). It serves 4 guests and is $200: potato latkes with heirloom applesauce and housemade sour cream; winter market insalata; roasted chicken with cabbage, apples, potatoes; sesame challah; and Chanukah gelt. You can also order a gianduja babka for $35.
How about latkes from around the world, with three different dips from Shuk Shuka (On Everything Tahini, Spicy Kick Zhug, and Goat Cheese Labneh balls)? Sounds so delicious! Orders are requested by December 14th and will be delivered on December 16th-17th. ($65.)
THE VAULT GARDEN has launched a Winter Wonderland, with a weather-protected outdoor space full of seasonal lights, and a view of the 555 California Christmas tree in the plaza. You can make a reservation for their à la carte/all-day menu with seasonal cocktails and schmaltz latke tots topped with Caviar Co. smoked trout roe and crème fraîche, or weekend brunch, or spring for the $75 prix-fixe menu, which includes their fantastic prime rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, and more.
There are a variety of special dinners, from a truffle dinner on 12/6, a sparkling dinner with Bay Grape on 12/20, a Christmas Eve celebration (either Feast of Seven Fishes or prime rib four-course menu for $110/person) and more. Open Tue-Wed 4pm-9pm, Thu 12pm-9pm, Fri 12pm-9:30pm, Sat 11am-9:30pm, and Sun 11am-2:30pm. 555 California St. at Kearny.
Need something to make you happy in the morning? It’s time to buy an Emporio Rulli panettone (available for shipping here), and gift one to someone you love, but be sure to keep one for yourself. It makes the best breakfast, and you can even make eggy French toast or bread pudding out of it when you start getting to the end of the magic loaf.
In the East Bay, Starter Bakery makes an incredible panettone (and stollen!), available for ordering online soon, but they’re at Berkeley Bow and Cheese Plus in SF now. You can also find an amazing selection of imported panettone and panforte at Market Hall Foods.
And then if you really want to go over the top, Gio Gelati is making a gelato-stuffed panettone that is making my eyes pop out of my head.
There’s a new and fourth-generation Master Boulanger, Gontran Cherrier, ensconced at Le Marais Bakery, and I’ve been eyeballing his latest creations on Instagram and mon dieu, are they gorgeous. The holiday lineup includes Parisian vanilla flan and tarts, viennoiseries, brioches, galette des rois, as well as a special holiday tasting box so you can try all the thingsssss. His family’s bakery is in Normandy, so expect some exquisite apple creations too, like an apple tarte normande and apple-chestnut-yuzu chausson. Coming December, they will be launching an artisanal crêperie at 1138 Sutter St., with sarasin salé crêpes bretonne and farine de froment sucré crêpes. GET EXCITED!
The Big Fresser package from Mark ‘n’ Mike’s. Photo: Hardy Wilson.
