This week's tablehopper: chipmunk TV.
True blue, Lake Tahoe, I love you. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
Greetings from 6,207 feet. It’s been so fun hanging out with blue jays and chipmunks and thankfully no bears this year. I’m getting ready to descend from my Tahoe Tahoma perch and head back to sea level tomorrow (sniff sniff), but I’m so fired up to have Outside Lands ready and waiting this weekend (there are still single-day tickets!). In today’s issue, I included a list of things to eat this year at the festival that caught my eye. I have no idea what your music taste is, so I’m gonna leave that up to you.
Since I went light on news last week to make room for the 10 mighty tasty brunches piece, we have some catching up to do! We also have an awesome giveaway in the sugar mama: a pair of VIP tickets to Eat Drink SF (coming at the end of August). Good luck!
I wanted to pass along this fun photo recap by The Taste SF on the tablehopper vintage Blue Fox dinner at Alfred’s. Great pics! That was such a special night. My wheels are turning on what classic SF restaurant the next tablehopper vintage dinner will focus on…
Okay, it’s time for me to pedal to the lake for my last afternoon beach break. Been making my way through the most incredible book, City on Fire, set in New York in the 1970s, and I am determined to finish this remarkable tome before I leave!
See you in SF! Marcia Gagliardi
the chatterbox
Gossip & News (the word on the street)
First Look at Ardiana, Opening Tonight in Noe Valley--Other Neighborhoods, Get Jealous!
It’s aperitivo o’clock. Photo: Takashi Fukuda.
A look inside the chic and midcentury-inspired look of Ardiana. Photo: Takashi Fukuda.
Time for dinner! Photo: Takashi Fukuda.
Some classic Ardiana family pics. Photo: Takashi Fukuda.
A look toward the bar/counter. Photo: Takashi Fukuda.
It’s such a satisfying feeling when the replacement for a sweet neighborhood spot that sadly closed (La Nebbia) is just as lovable, with equally kind and thoughtful owners. Yeah, Noe Valley, you should be really happy about the opening of ARDIANA tonight from Sharon Ardiana, of Gialina and Ragazza fame, with business partner (and Ragazza GM) Greg Hinds.
While Ardiana is known for her crisp-crust pizzas with fantastic toppings and combinations, at Ardiana, things will expand to be a bit more Mediterranean. The menu is designed to be flexible, depending on your appetite, group size, and whether you have little ones in tow or not. For example, the menu has a “For the Table” section, with six creative mezes to choose from, all paired with housemade pita bread. Think roasted eggplant dip with pomegranate molasses, Greek yogurt, and mint; carrot hummus with black tahini, sumac, and watermelon radish; and pickled baby beets with orange blossom yogurt, pistachios, and mint. She’s having fun with all these ingredients, like the golden and black sesame pastes in the carrot hummus are from Greg Dunmore’s Japanese Pantry, and the eggplant purée features lemon verbena syrup made from her roof-deck plants. The mezes are $7 each, three for $19, five for $31, The Whole Shebang for $36.
Fortunately some of Ardiana’s trademark badass salads will be in the mix, with two lettuce salads and more seasonal items. Right now the height-of-season salads include an heirloom tomato (Mariquita Farm tomatoes) salad with brown butter, lemon verbena, and shiso; summer stone fruit (from Balakian Farms) with pistachio butter, Di Stefano burrata, and Star Route Farms purslane, with a drizzle of Mugolio syrup (a pinecone bud extract from the Dolomites); and then there’s 24-month prosciutto di Parma with Full Belly Farms goddess melons (which Ardiana says are insanely sweet right now).
As for the pizzas, she doesn’t want to cannibalize Gialina and will be making only six or seven pies. Instead of a Margherita, she’s doing New York, New York, with tomato sauce, oregano, mozzarella, and when it comes hot out of the oven, it gets a dusting of Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano. She really hopes it “takes East Coasters back to a great slice that they had in NYC.” The funghi pizza is made with trumpet mushrooms and is finished with some Sardinian Moliterno truffle cheese (which I am sure former La Nebbia owners Massimiliano and Lorella approve of—they were both Sardinian).
Since this location has more oven space, Ardiana is excited to add some larger plates, like roasted Mary’s chicken breast with a stone fruit panzanella made with Tartine bread and Balakian Farms peaches and plums. There’s king salmon with nasturtium butter from her garden along with marinated farro and sweet white corn. How about a lamb chop with whipped feta, potato hash, and chermoula, or a meaty long-braised beef short rib rubbed with star anise, coffee, and brown sugar?
Dessert includes tiramisu, a light olive oil cake, coconut-lime semifreddo, and ice cream sandwiches with Bi-Rite Creamery mint chip inside. You can see how Ardiana and business partner Hinds are keen on making this a neighborhood- and family-friendly spot, that “go-to” kind of place where you can easily grab dinner, dine solo at the counter, or have a date night.
The look was updated to be a bit midcentury, with wood chairs and a vibrant blue wall, and of course some Ardiana family photos taken in Pennsylvania by her Dutch great-uncle Emile, who was an amateur photographer (he had a darkroom in his basement).
The wine list was curated by their good friend Deena Smith, formerly of The Henry Wine Group. Of course you’ll find some Italian wines, but also France, Spain, and even a bit of California will be represented. You can enjoy an aperitivo with some low-ABV cocktails she created ($10 each), including the Phony Negroni (Contratto Bitter, Berto Rosso vermouth, juniper-infused Minato sake), the Ardiana Spritz (Contratto aperitif, prosecco, soda, orange), and the San Lucar (Bordiga Bianco vermouth, La Guita sherry, and a lemon twist).
The GM is Andrea “Andi” Suhr, formerly a Lazy Bear captain and Hog Island alumnus, and Jesse Scott Moore—most recently sous chef at Heirloom Café—will be chef de cuisine.
Hours are Tue-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-10:30pm, closed Sun-Mon. Reservations accepted through Resy. 1781 Church St. at 30th St., San Francisco, 415-926-5982.
Openings: The Grove Design District, Norcina, and Khamsa in the Mission
A look inside The Grove Design District. Yelp photo by Madhu C.
Kunafeh at Khamsa. Yelp photo by Adil E.
Just want to tear through some quick opening news for you: as mentioned previously in tablehopper, THE GROVE has now opened a location in the Design District, aka Showplace Square. You’ll find their usual approachable all-day menu and a patio. Hours are Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri 7am-10:30pm, Sat 8am-10:30pm, Sun 8am-10pm. 1 Henry Adams St. at Division, 415-834-5105.
Back in March, I mentioned NORCINA was opening in Waterfront Plaza. This Italian café and delicatessen from Kaitlynn Bauman (of Parlor 1255 in Levi’s Plaza) is all about breakfast and lunch service, with a frittata with broccoli rabe and potato, sandwiches, a range of salads, coffee from Cibo in Sausalito, gelato, and more.
The menu includes tigelle (flatbread-style sandwiches with mortadella and artichoke, or prosciutto cotto e crema di pecorino), and an egg and cheese tigella for breakfast. Salads include a Tuscan kale version with cannellini beans, artichoke hearts, fennel, and pecorino. There’s also housemade gelato for when your sweet tooth strikes, and some outdoor seating where you can enjoy it. Hours are Mon-Fri 7am-5pm. 50 Francisco St. at Montgomery.
There’s a new Cal-Moroccan spot that opened in the Mission, KHAMSA, serving lunch and dinner (menus here), with brunch coming soon, which you’ll be able to enjoy on their patio. Hours are daily 11am-3pm and 5pm-10pm. 1503 15th St. at S. Van Ness, 628-233-1503.
Both Nico and Alta Are Closing and Reopening in New Locations
The back of Nico’s dining room, looking into the semi-open kitchen. Photo courtesy of Urban Daddy, by Michael David Rose Photography.
The unique shelving (and a look into the open kitchen) at Alta Mid-Market. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
After announcing the closure of longtimer BOCADILLOS last week, now the taker for the space has been revealed: Laurel Heights’ NICO. Owners Andrea and Nicolas Delaroque reportedly have been working on the deal for some time and hope to reopen in January in their new location. Scoop notes the space will be half the size of their current (and rather beautiful) location, but the hope is that the ability to add lunch service in this busy part of the city will make their numbers really work. Nico is closing August 26th. Fun fact: this location was originally the home of the Black Cat, a famous gay bar in the city. 710 Montgomery St. at Washington.
Meanwhile, some updates in Daniel Patterson’s culinary world: according to a piece in Eater, the flagship ALTA in Mid-Market will be closing once the upcoming Alta location in the nearby Yotel (an affordable British hotel group coming to 1095 Market St.) is open this fall (which will also feature a rooftop bar). And in Oakland, Alta will open in the former HAVEN (44 Webster St., Jack London Square) as Alta Oakland in spring 2018. And don’t forget there’s the Alta that recently opened in the Minnesota Street Project in Dogpatch. (You got all that?)
Coming Soon: Bi-Rite Café to Civic Center, Woodlands Market to SoMa, More
A rendering of the proposed Bi-Rite café in Civic Center (along Grove Street). Rendering courtesy of Sarah Holt (BRFOB Marketing Team).
Last week, I got a call from Sam Mogannam, the vibrant owner of our beloved BI-RITE MARKETS, who was excited to share details about his plans to (hopefully) open a daytime café and kiosk in Civic Center flanking one of the upgraded playgrounds coming to the area (thanks to the $10 million donation from the Helen Diller Family Foundation). The foundation is generously kicking in another million to open this café, all in an attempt to revitalize a downright bleak section of the city, which will hopefully start transforming into a beautiful plaza. Mogannam thinks the playgrounds will help give the underutilized plaza an identity and bring safety to the area. As he says, “Kids remind us.”
Some city approvals will need to happen first, but in a best-case scenario, the café would hopefully open in spring 2018. It would have glass walls and be transparent on all sides, and there would be outdoor seating. It would be open from the morning until early evening, serving pastries and breakfast sandwiches and coffee, plus salads, sandwiches, popsicles, and soft-serve ice cream. Will keep you posted. Civic Center, Grove at Larkin.
A tablehopper scout named Lisa B. noticed Marin’s WOODLANDS MARKET is opening a location in the Lumina, a luxury condominium at 201 Folsom St. (at Main). It will have 9,500 square feet, and in addition to its extensive organic and sustainable selection of products, the market will also serve prepared foods, coffee, in-house juices, and fresh bread daily, plus there’s a pet shop and fresh flowers.
The Belgian Bernal spot from the Pi Bar folks, BEL, is sadly closing at the end of this month, and a new spot called OUTER ORBIT from Christian Gainsley and Elisabeth Kohnke will be taking its place. The pinball hall-restaurant hybrid will be styled like an old-school pinball salon, suitable for all ages and skill levels. In between pinball games, you’ll be able to nosh on Hawaiian-inspired bites, plus there will be beer and wine (and beverages for the kiddos). Look for an opening in early 2018. 3215 Mission St. at Valencia.
THE PLANT CAFÉ ORGANIC at Pier 3 on the Embarcadero is now closed after 10 years in the location, and it looks like a place called SEASIDE is taking its place. We reached out to a contact involved with the new project, stand by.
Tipster Lisa B. also noticed a sign going up for a BUCKHORN GRILL in the former Boudin Bakery at 619 Market St. at New Montgomery.
New Concepts, Service, and Specials: Mina Test Kitchen, Stem, The Den, Brenda's, More
The cozy dining room at MINA Test Kitchen. Photo via Facebook.
The bacon and egg pizza at Stem. Photo courtesy of Stem.
The exterior of The Den in Bayview. Photo: William Werner.
While I’m sad to say farewell to POSTCARDS FROM LA COSTIERA (it just ended this past weekend), the latest concept at THE MINA TEST KITCHEN will be Mi Almita, lauching August 23rd. Michael Mina is partnering with Houston’s James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega (Xochi, Hugo’s, Caracol, Backstreet Cafe) on this seventh pop-up. The collaborative menu will take a journey throughout Mexico with dishes like huitlasquites corn soup, with fragrant chicken broth, huitlacoche, and housemade queso fresco; a ceviche trio sourced from the tidal pools of Fort Bragg; pozole verde with littleneck clams, hominy, and pumpkin seeds; pulpo al carbón, or grilled octopus with sweet peppers and caramelized onions, served with chipotle tomatillo salsa and housemade tortillas; and for dessert, a tasting of housemade Mexican chocolate.
The beverage program will complement the menu with several varieties of agave spirits (mezcal, tequila, bacanora, and raicilla), with some flights, cocktails, and more. Wines will be from Mexico or from California made by Mexican winemakers or vineyard managers.
Dinner is $39 for the five-course menu, with supplemental courses available. Dinner is served Wed-Sat, starting Wednesday August 23rd. Reservations. 2120 Greenwich St. at Fillmore.
Looking for a fun spot to enjoy your Saturday afternoon? STEM KITCHEN & GARDEN has launched a new Saturday lunch service (11:30am-3pm), so you can take advantage of their outdoor bar, patio with bay views, and bocce ball court! You can take a look at the menu, which includes oysters, short rib hash, pizzas, and shakshuka with baked eggs, stewed tomatoes, and peppers, black kale, and garden herbs served with baguette. 499 Illinois St. at 16th St., 415-915-1000.
Not too far away in Dogpatch, GLENA’S has made another adjustment by adding table service, and they are now open for Tuesday lunch too. Closed Mondays. Now go get some of their awesome al pastor tacos. 632 20th St. at 3rd St., 415-800-7415.
Over in Bayview, THE DEN from Craftsman and Wolves is launching a new Sunday menu on Sunday August 13th to coincide with the Bayview Farmers Market pilot, which is right in front of their shop on Yosemite (the test market will run for the next five weeks from 10am-2pm). Come by for Sunday-only menu items like short and tall stacks of classic, strawberry, and Valrhona chocolate chip hot cakes, along with side options including “CAWnadian” bacon (black coffee-brined smoked pork loin), a hash brown waffle with brown butter mayo, soft-boiled egg, and fruit from the market. You can also get the Rebel Within, an insanely good frittata breakfast sandwich, and more. Bonus: free drip coffee for motorcyclists, and market-goers who purchase produce will receive a Friend of the Farmers 10 percent discount on all purchases at The Den, which will be open from 8am-2pm. 1598 Yosemite Ave. at Keith, 415-423-3337.
Happy 10th birthday to BRENDA’S FRENCH SOUL FOOD, which is celebrating the entire month of August by giving back to the Tenderloin community. Come by for a special edition strawberry shortcake beignet, with 100 percent of the proceeds to be donated to Saint Anthony’s and Glide Church. Nice work, Brenda’s!
Brenda's French Soul Food - 652 Polk St. San Francisco - 415-345-8100
Outside Lands Is This Weekend--What to Eat and What's Happening There (and Not)
Whoa, was there something in my beer? Nope, Outside Lands always delivers on the trippy lights! Photo: Tom Tomkinson.
Rich Table’s porcini doughnuts with raclette cheese. Photo courtesy of Outside Lands.
Last year’s meatball sandwich from Stones Throw. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
This weekend is the 10th Outside Lands, and as of now, single-day tickets are still available (they’re anticipating a sellout later this week, so snag tickets while you can).
There are an impressive 81 restaurants, 41 wineries, 30 breweries, and 6 cocktail bars in all this year! Here are some new restaurant partners on my to-visit list: Tartine Manufactory with morning buns and toasted mortadella hoagies (!!), Dabba (so tasty, check out their “ethnic confusion” burritos), spicy fried chicken sandwiches from Sorrel, Shanghai lumpia from FOB Kitchen, slices of deep-dish pizza from Little Star, Marlowe’s bacon burgers (thanks to this year’s food curator Anna Weinberg), and Black Cat’s lamb burgers. You can warm up with jambalaya (or gumbo!) from Alba Ray’s when Karl the Fog is hanging around too much, and I’m sure Fearless Coffee’s olive oil-fried egg sandwiches will come in handy one hungover morning. Ditto doughnuts from Johnny Doughnuts (coming to Hayes Valley over Labor Day!) and coffee from the Lady Falcon Coffee Club (mmmm, mochas with Mexican vanilla whipped cream). And Humphry Slocombe is serving Secret Breakfast Sundaes and Bourbon Coke Floats.
Of course there are some OSL classics like fried chicken and waffles from Little Skillet, chicken curry nachos and lamb sloppy joes (so good) from Azalina’s, porcini doughnuts from Rich Table (bring on the raclette!), momos from Bini’s Kitchen, and then Stones Throw is making monkey-bread chicken Parm melts and Italian-style tater tots that sound wicked (last year’s meatball sandwich was a winner, so I am all over that Parm). Ramen from Itani Ramen will warm you up (and I plan to check out their fried chicken gyoza at Wine Lands), while crab rolls from Fine & Rare and pastrami cheese fries from Wise Sons Deli will fill you up and give you energy to walk and dance all over the park. Don’t forget Outside Clams! I love the OSL puns. LOL.
Check out the GastroMagic lineup here, known for Big Freedia and her troupe bouncin’ and twerkin’ for beignets, plus Action Bronson, Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest, and Roy Choi all taking the stage with local chefs and restaurants and musicians.
There are a couple of “outside” Outside Lands events going on as well. On Friday August 11th, Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center is doing an Inside-Out Lands event, with their house band playing some of the festival’s greatest hits, starting at 8pm.
There’s also a Mimosa Lands preparty on Saturday August 12th at THE DORIAN from 12pm-6pm, with brunch, $20 endless mimosas (12:30pm-3pm), music by Foreign Language, and $10 bus rides via Chariot to the festival grounds (must prepurchase ticket; the last remaining pickups at The Dorian are at 4:30pm). 2001 Chestnut St. at Fillmore, 415-814-2671.
the sponsor
This Round Is On Me... (hey, thanks!)
(Sponsored Event): Cadillac Bar & Grill Celebrates Two Amazing Years This Friday 8/11!
The Cadillac Bar & Grill is so excited to host its second anniversary party this Friday, August 11th! We want to thank all of you for an amazing two years of business—we wouldn’t be where we are today without you! Flamenco dancers will be performing from 5pm-7pm and our headliner, Tito Puente Jr., goes on at 8pm with Somos El Son!
The party starts at 5pm. Cover: $10 from 6pm-8pm, $15 after 8pm; everyone gets a complimentary margarita with a paid cover (starting at 6pm). First come, first served on the tables. $5 beer specials. We can’t wait to see you there!
44 9th St. between Market and Mission (near Civic Center) 415-554-0181 Get more info by checking us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
the lush
Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)
Dive Bar Updates: 500 Club for Sale, New Owners for The Gangway, Elbo Room and Doc's Clock Live On
The fantastic 500 Club sign. Long may it bubble. Yelp photo by Nick S.
The Gangway. Yelp photo by Kevin Y.
The iconic sign at Doc’s Clock. Photo via Facebook.
It’s time to check in on some of our beloved dive bars, ever the endangered species. I have some bad news and some good news. Let’s dive in. SFist brings the disturbing news that the 500 CLUB, yes, she of the best sign in the city (that bubbling martini glass, I mean, come ON!) is up for sale. For $1.25 mil. Dear lord. Please have a cool person with a soul who happens to have access to that kind of money be the buyer.
SFist brings up the fact that a new owner means they’d have to bring the bar up to code, which would mean some changes. We’ll just need to sit tight on this for now. So go enjoy a no-frills cocktail or a beer with some fun neighborhood folks (and their dogs) while you can. 500 Guerrero St. at 17th St., 415-861-2500.
In other news, it looks like there’s someone circling THE GANGWAY again, SF’s oldest gay bar (since 1961, although the tatty bar dates back to 1910). Nooooooo.
And let’s just say the potential new owner isn’t known for gay establishments. Quite the opposite: he’s one of the partners behind Kozy Kar. Yeah, the bar with the pervy van and water bed inside. Anyway, there’s ABC license transfer activity that lists Kung Fu Action Theatre & Laundry LLC (the owner is Sam Ruslender Young). I reached out to him, will have to see what’s the word. 841 Larkin St. at Geary, 415-776-6828.
Okay, enough bad news, ugh. Here’s some good news: the ELBO ROOM has snagged a stay of execution and just gained a year on their current lease. Magic! They would now be able to stay in the current location until January 2019. Read this post on Hoodline for more. 647 Valencia St. at 17th St., 415-552-7788.
And after that Leticia Luna (what is she, the female Les Natali?) booted DOC’S CLOCK from their location (she wouldn’t renew the lease), the bar has successfully moved and set up and is slinging drinks again at their new and very nearby address. Owner Carey Suckow brought over the liquor license, the bar, the jukebox, the pinball machine, and the shuffleboard game, and now has a 20-year lease on the new space. Boom.
The fate of the iconic sign, however, remains in the balance. For now, you can look for the painted facsimile of the original sign on the storefront—it’s Cocktail Time! You can read more in this Hoodline post. 2417 Mission St. at 20th St., 415-824-3627.
the socialite
Shindigs, Feasts, & Festivals (let's party)
Eat Drink SF Returns to SF August 24th-27th!
Photo courtesy of Eat Drink SF.
Event Info
Thursday Aug 24, 2017 – Sunday Aug 27, 2017 Website, details
You got your fat pants ready? Okay, good, because Eat Drink SF is coming up, and you’re going to have some serious eating and drinking to enjoy. Very serious! Like four Grand Tasting sessions and the Taco Knockdown, which kicks it all off on Thursday August 24th, when a dozen restaurants will compete with their interpretation of the iconic dish! Plus: margaritas in the Milagro Margarita Mix-Off! I’ll be emceeing the Taco Knockdown, hope to see you there at The Pearl!
Throughout the weekend, there are Grand Tasting sessions at Fort Mason on Friday night, Saturday day and night, and Sunday afternoon. The Grand Tastings showcase the Bay Area’s top talent, spanning chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, purveyors, farmers, wineries, distillers, brewers, makers, and more.
And those parties are a blast! Each Grand Tasting features more than 30 top Bay Area restaurants that rotate at every session. It’s a great way to check out some new restaurants, like Uma Casa, China Live, Media Noche, Alba Ray’s, City Counter, and Robin. And this year’s bar program will be the biggest yet, with more than 70 bars, distilleries, breweries, and wineries on hand to pour tastes and batch cocktails.
There are also Main Stage demos, classes, and celebrity chefs, including tacos and tequila by Tequila Don Julio, a history of the martini and tastings with Sipsmith London Dry Gin, cheese and charcuterie pairings with The Cheese Twins (winners of the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race), and more. This year’s closing ceremony will include a performance by the GLIDE Ensemble and a special visit from the Golden State Warriors.
Grand Tasting tickets include all food and drink. Get your tickets for the Grand Tastings ($119 GA, $209 for VIP) and Taco Knockdown ($79).
VIP tickets are available for the Grand Tasting Sessions and give guests early access (45 minutes before general admission) and entry to a private lounge (and restrooms) with exclusive food and beverage options from select partners. Yeah, fancy!
Get your social media on with hashtags #EDSF and #TacoKnockdown—you can follow @eatdrinksf on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.
Kudos to the GGRA for partnering with Recology and the San Francisco Conservation Corps, with a goal of achieving a zero-waste event. All paper products will be recycled, all disposable silverware and glassware is made of corn resin and will be composted, and there will be water stations for guests to fill up throughout the event. SF, you rock.
Taco Knockdown: The Pearl, 601 19th St. Grand Tasting Sessions: Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd.
the sugar mama
(Sponsored): Enter to Win VIP Tickets to Eat Drink SF!
Eat Drink SF is returning August 24th- 27th, San Francisco’s premier annual food, wine, and spirits festival that celebrates the Bay Area’s world-class chefs and restaurants. Eat (and drink!) your way through the 30-plus top restaurants and 70-plus bars, distilleries, breweries, and wineries (this year features the biggest bar program yet!).
There are four days of events that showcase the top chefs, tastemakers, food, and drink of the Bay Area, from the Taco Knockdown at The Pearl (which the tablehopper will be emceeing!) to four Grand Tasting sessions throughout the weekend at Fort Mason. Tickets include unlimited food and drink, plus curated experiences and programming to keep you engaged and entertained. Don’t want to wait to see if you have won? Get your tickets here!
Here’s your chance to enter to win two VIP tickets to the Sunday Grand Tasting. VIP tickets give guests early access (45 minutes before general admission!), entry to a private lounge (and restrooms) with exclusive food and beverage options, including bites from Navio, Rooh, and Wayfare Tavern.
This is your year to join us! The Sunday Afternoon Grand Tasting is August 27th, with a 12pm VIP entry (until 3:30pm). Prize value: $418 for two tickets ($209 per ticket). Click to enter the contest, deadline to enter is Sunday August 13th at 11:59pm PDT.
