The Lush

Big news swept through the city with the announcement in the Business Times that TOSCA CAFE has been saved (owner Jeannette Etheredge reportedly owed $100,000 in back rent and was being evicted). Taking over the legendary location is Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield, known for swell New York…

A report by Dana Massey-Todd. As reported on tablehopper back in 2010, the Mission has a new high-end watering hole: TRICK DOG. It has finally arrived, after much waiting and excitement. It officially opened its doors on Monday January 7th and has been raking in the praise (and crowds) ever…

Man oh man, another classic, quirky, SF gay bar bites the dust. This time it’s MARLENA’S, a Hayes Valley mainstay that has been overserving its fabulously friendly clientele the past 23 years, blowing our minds every Christmas with the out-of-hand Santa collection, and hello, the Sunday drag shows!…

Over at ~PROSPECT~, wine director Amy Currens has moved on—sadly she has a stress fracture that needs time to heal, so she made the difficult decision to step away from her position. Stand by for more on where she lands next after she takes some time to heal up.…

If you’re looking for a chance to taste lots of wines from all over the world, head to the AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 SIPS event on Friday February 8th. The event is put on by Bottlenotes at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio, and features more than…

San Francisco really does the holidays up well—especially many of our bars around town, offering all kinds of hot, spiked, minty, spicy, egg noggy drinks to get you feeling warm and festive. Last Wednesday night, I decided to take my dear friend Michele Mandell out for a tablehopping night…

San Francisco suds tradition SAN FRANCISCO BEER WEEK is fast approaching, and tickets to the opening celebration are now available. The celebration is on Friday February 8th from 6pm-10pm at the Concourse Exhibition Center. Tickets include a glass to do your sampling, plus unlimited tastes of brews from more than…

Diablo Magazine reports that Chuck Stilphen of The Trappist in Oakland is bringing even more swell beer to San Francisco. He’s secured a spot at the former Crash Nightclub at 34 Mason St. downtown, and plans to fill it with 40 taps of European and American beers. There will…

Warm up from the inside out with the holiday hot chocolate at ~JARDINIÈRE~, called Hot Chocolate No. 5 (no word on a nonsensical Brad Pitt ad yet). The hot chocolate is made with lots of chocolate, cayenne, and served with churros and dulce de leche on the side. You can…

A few events for your calendar in case you aren’t overwhelmed with holiday parties. First, ~FOREIGN CINEMA~ is hosting Katy Wilson, the winemaker and owner of LaRue Wines, on Thursday December 13th to showcase the newly available 2009 pinot noir. By-the-glass and by-the-bottle options will be offered at very…