Tablehopper

This week's tablehopper: run Rudolph run!

Holiday cheers! The Collective at Serpentine (Cocchi Americano Rosa, mezcal, celery bitters, flash-chilled celery). Photo: © tablehopper.com.

Well well well…did you survive the biggest holiday party weekend? That was a doozy, starting with the Arlequin Champagne tasting on Thursday evening, and things didn’t quite stop until Sunday night at The Battery at 10pm. (Liver, I am SO SORRY!)

I’ve been doing a ton of writing in between the hangovers, including my first piece of cannabis coverage for KQED’s Bay Area Bites: The Twelve Days of Edible Canna Christmas. I also went to a Cannaisseur Series dinner on Saturday, look for a piece on that soon! (If you have any favorite cannabis and food events, like Curious Cannabis Salon’s recent CBD dinner, let me know!)

I am taking next week off so I can hang with my cute family, so today’s column is a bit of a doozy. I wanted to make sure I got some New Year’s Eve and Day events listed for you! I’m hosting my beef Wellington and Scotch (featuring Bruichladdich!) holiday dinner at Maybeck’s next Wednesday December 27th (just three tickets left!) and will then be heading down to L.A. for a few days of running around and New Year’s Eve. I’ll be sending my annual edition of The Bore on January 2nd, excuse me while I sharpen my pencil…and nails. Ha-ha.

This Thursday (happy solstice!), I’m so excited to be heading up to the Acacia House at Las Alcobas Napa Valley in St. Helena for one of their Feast of the Seven Cultures dinners. This one will be with guest chef Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Avec, Big Star, and most recently, Publican Anker, Chicago), representing Germany. You can read more in my post here; the dinners run through December 24th!

Lastly, please mark your calendar for Wednesday January 17th, which is when I’m helping to host the Pencils for Kids fundraiser, Small World Big Flavors, featuring Asian street food, cocktails from Rémy Cointreau), and beautiful wines provided by Chambers & Chambers!

I’m so thrilled to announce Nyum Bai will be joining us. (Nite Yun is opening her Cambodian brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2018, and you can support her Kickstarter here—check out that amazing Stockton food tour, wanna go?!)

Our other generous guest restaurants include the new Perle Wine Bar in Montclair (chef Rob Lam is going to be making an assuredly tasty Vietnamese dish for us), the Burmese Grocery Cafe (which has a new location in Jack London Square in Oakland), Cassava (they’ll be making some Japanese-inspired ribs), and Indian Paradox (one of my favorite hidden gems on Divisadero for Indian street food—and they just launched brunch). Get your ticket here and we look forward to seeing you then!

Have a happy and merry holiday season—enjoy this special time with family and friends. I have so much to be grateful for, and a big part of that is all your kindness and support. I look forward to a shining 2018 with you.

Warmest wishes, much love, and have fun eating allllll the latkes and panettone! XO! ~Champers the elf

the chatterbox

Gossip & News (the word on the street)

Join tablehopper for a Beef Wellington and Scotch Holiday Dinner at Maybeck's on December 27th!

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT, THANKS EVERYONE!

Got your attention there, didn’t I? Nothing says holiday feast like beef Wellington, and the version they make every Wednesday at MAYBECK’S is truly fantastico. Chef de cuisine Blake Askew (previously Petit Crenn) has mastered this terrific trinity of tenderloin, mushroom duxelles, and puff pastry, and let’s not overlook the charred shallot jus it comes with either! And creamed spinach. And at our event, a glass of Bruichladdich Octomore neat will also be paired with the Welly, the most heavily peated whisky in the world. It’s going to be a magic tasting moment, of that I am sure.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s back up for a second. In the past, I have thrown some really fun holiday dinners in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’d love to do it again! Let’s keep the holiday spirits flowing! On Wednesday December 27th, 25 of us (there are just three tickets left!) will be gathering for this special tablehopper and Bruichladdich holiday dinner at Maybeck’s in the Marina, featuring three courses of a festive, throwback menu thanks to our hosts, Erik Lowe and Aaron Toensing. The evening will start at 7pm, with the first course served at 7:30pm.

We’ll begin with a welcome cocktail (the Welcome Laddie, with Lillet, sparkling wine, and Bruichladdich Classic Laddie) and Welsh rarebit on toast, and then sit down for our first course: Star Route Farms salad of baby lettuces with Waldorf dressing (celery, apples, raisins, and candied walnuts, with a hint of orange in it)—and a Blood & Sand (made with Bruichladdich Port Charlotte)! You know all about the main event (beef Wellington and Octomore for the win!), and for dessert, we’ll have baked Alaska (chocolate cake and brandied cherry ice cream) with the perfect closing nightcap: the Rockefeller, with Bruichladdich 2010 Islay Barley (voted #9 Whisky of 2017 by Whisky Advocate!), Alessio di Chinato, and allspice dram. Yay to all of this.

This classic meal will be served family-style (the preferred tablehopper way to dine!) and we will all be seated together in our own private lounge area at Maybeck’s. We’ll learn a bit about the history of the dishes, and Trent Simpson, the Western Regional Single Malt Whisk(e)y Ambassador for Bruichladdich and Westland Distilleries, will be educating us about the pairings (and offering some additional and special neat tastes throughout the night, hubba). We’re also going to be hosting a holiday raffle with some very nice prizes, and proceeds will go to the SF-Marin Food Bank. Cheers to that.

This holiday event is only $100 (including tax and tip, Happy Holidays to you from us!), and tickets will move quickly (there are just three spots left!), so hop to it.

Special deals on Bruichladdich bottle sales for attendees will be available through order forms provided by our friends at the Whisky Shop for in-store pickup or to ship nationwide!

21 and over. And it goes without saying but I’ll say it anyway: please don’t drink and drive, especially tonight, thank you.

Wednesday Dec 27, 2017 7pm $100 more info

Delfina and Pizzeria Delfina Are Hosting a Pop-Up in the Former Farina Space!

Well, this is unexpected news: both DELFINA and PIZZERIA DELFINA are closing for two weeks in January (1st-14th) for some much-needed kitchen renovations. Instead of going dark for two weeks, they’re keeping their staff gainfully employed and doing a one-week pop-up at the former Farina location (at 3560 18th St. at Dearborn), Delfina in Movimento. Kind of brilliant.

There will be special guest winemakers and somms and bartenders (cocktails!), classic Delfina dishes, pizzas, and some surprises too. And even though they are just taking reservations for dinner at the moment, walk-ins will be welcome (depending on space, of course).

The pop-up is running from Thursday January 4th-Thursday January 11th, and the current lineup includes top wineries like Scribe, Hirsch, and Robert Sinskey, with bartenders like David Curiel and Ian Adams (15 Romolo). It’s all subject to change as they secure more wineries and bartenders. The best way for guests to get the latest up-to-date info is via Instagram: @delfinasf and @pizzeriadelfina.

Ho Ho Ho! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining

Christmas Eve falls on Sunday December 24th, and there are some great options for special holiday meals out there! The Italian half of my family has always celebrated La Vigilia, the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and I’m happy to see some restaurants offer their own spin on the meal.

A couple of restaurants that are keeping things a bit traditional are A16 and A16 ROCKRIDGE, each offering a set five-course, family-style menu for $105, complete with some baccalà and Dungeness crab! Email for reservations at either location.

Over at LOCANDA (which created that awesome image with the octopus!), the annual Feast of the Seven Fishes meal is a four-course family-style menu with way more than seven types of fish! Two seatings: 5pm and 7:30pm. Tickets and menu here. $156, all-inclusive.

COTOGNA will be open and serving a special Sunday Supper menu in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, with dishes like Dungeness crab and fennel soup, spaghetti with sea urchin and caviar, and charcoal-grilled spot prawns with Meyer lemon and Prosecco. Meow.

Not so into fish? DUNA is serving a Slovak Christmas Eve Supper, a three-course menu with halouski dumplings, chopped salad, and Slovak Christmas kapusnica. $48 plus tax and gratuity. Seatings here.

How about noodles? NAMU GAJI is hosting their annual Christmas Eve noodle night. Bring on the rich and hearty stocks. There will be four noodle options: an oxtail ramen, a wonton mein, mushroom udon, and another special noodle dish. Reservations on OpenTable are highly recommended but walk-ins are welcome. They will also have their dinner menu available.

COCKSCOMB has a good lookin’ holiday menu: it’s a four-course family-style menu for $85 per guest. There’s a Feast of the Seven Fishes Salad with scallops, shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, tombo, salt cod, and salmon roe; and Dungeness Crab Puttanesca with rigatoni, tomato, anchovy, black olive, and capers. Seatings are available for 4pm-5:30pm and 7pm-8pm. Please call 415-974-0700.

Planning to sleep in that day? FINN TOWN in the Castro will have extended brunch hours, running from 10am-5pm. On the menu: fried chicken and pumpkin waffles (cornflake-crusted chicken, bourbon maple syrup) and more.

Another place running extended brunch and a dinner menu, with some holiday additions, is BLUESTEM BRASSERIE, open from 11am-11pm. They are also offering an extensive Dickens Christmas-inspired cocktail menu, including The Ghost of Christmas Past (whiskey, rosemary-cranberry syrup, mint, rosemary, and cranberry) and Aunt Chrystl’s Hot Punsch (Stroch Austrian rum, red wine, fresh OJ, cinnamon, and cloves).

If you’re looking for a cozy location, POGGIO in Sausalito is warm and inviting. There’s a three-course dinner featuring prime rib for $85. À la carte specials will include wood fire-roasted Dungeness crab; chitarra lobster roe pasta with Dungeness crab, preserved Meyer lemon, fines herbes, and scallions; and cotechino, a traditional dish of lentils and sausage.

Over in Oakland, DESCO has a three-course prix-fixe menu for $54 (plus tax and gratuity), including Dungeness crab and mascarpone-filled pasta with blood orange and olio nuovo, whole cuttlefish stuffed with seafood risotto and a spicy tomato caper sauce; and warm doughnuts with quince jam and pastry cream. Seatings from 4pm-9pm. Their regular à la carte dinner menu is also available. 499 9th St. at Washington, Oakland.

Here are more options on OpenTable, including Alfred’s Steakhouse, Maybeck’s, and Perle Wine Bar in Montclair.

Christmas Day

Wondering where to go take Santa for dinner? The new and stylish VILLON at the SF Proper is open for Christmas Day dinner, serving a family-style menu, which includes their fantastic Hawaiian bread with chicken liver mousse; roast beef, creamed leeks with horseradish, roasted kuri squash, and more; with a buche de noel to finish. $90 per person. 5:30pm-10:30pm.

MKT RESTAURANT at the Four Seasons is open from 12pm-8pm, serving a four-course prix-fixe menu ($120 for adults, $60 children ages 5-12). Menu and more here. They are also open on Christmas Eve (6pm-10pm).

There are plenty of options for dim sum that day, but just FYI, DUMPLING TIME will be open for lunch and dinner. Bring on the tom yum goong xiao long bao! (They will also be open on New Year’s Day.)

Another option is ROOH, serving progressive Indian. Choose a three- ($65) or four-course menu ($75), which include three small bites to start.

Also in SoMa, RED DOG is serving Christmas dinner at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm. The five-course menu is $75 per person ($25 for kids 13 years and younger). Check out the menu and reserve your spot here.

Here are more options on OpenTable, and don’t forget you can always call and see if a restaurant can get you in.

Fun New Year's Eve Dining Options, From Soba to Squab

There is no shortage of New Year’s Eve dinners and events going on, but here are a few that caught my eye for various reasons (there are also a bunch more for you to look at on OpenTable).

Leave it to STATE BIRD PROVISIONS and THE PROGRESS to pull out all the stops. They’re doing a Feast of 18 Dishes, with the first act taking place at State Bird for hors d’oeuvres (like foie gras ham on sauerkraut cracker, California sturgeon caviar, and smoked trout pancakes) and bubbles, and then heading over to The Progress for an epic feast (aged and smoked squab with wild mushroom farro and Périgord black truffles; Japanese A5 Wagyu with barley miso, fava greens, and “the best” potatoes). Tickets are $250; 6pm-1am. Or you can just come over to State Bird for all-you-can-eat hors d’oeuvres (it’s a standing reception/party) from 10pm-1am; tickets are $75.

One of the sexier restaurants in the city, HAKKASAN is hosting a special menu with two seatings: the first seating (before 6:30pm) is $138, while the second seating is $188 (starts at 7pm) and includes complimentary Champagne. For more information and to book a reservation, call 415-829-8148.

PICCINO is switching gears and making a Szechuan-inspired feast, with 10 dishes, such as black trumpet mushroom dumplings, dan dan duck spaghetti, mapo tofu, and tofu ginger panna cotta. Break out the riesling. 5pm-9:30pm. Tickets are $70/person (before beverages, tax, and gratuity). There’s even space for a few large groups (up to 10 people).

If you want to take a step back from all the decadence, YUZUKI JAPANESE EATERY will be serving toshikoshi soba, which is traditionally eaten in Japan before the New Year. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available. 5:30pm-9:30pm.

Not only does TAWLA’s New Year’s Eve feast look fantastic, but the price is right too! They are serving an abundant menu for $69, with some assuredly lovely wine pairings that will be available as well.

COMSTOCK SALOON is hosting a saloon-style New Year’s celebration, with live jazz from 8pm-10pm followed by burlesque dancers from 11pm into the New Year! The kitchen closes at midnight, but the party will keep going. No cover, but you can book a reservation.

Have you always dreamed of eating the timballo in Big Night? I know the feeling. PALMENTO A DOPO in Oakland is serving a slice as part of their menu, which includes a crudo, hot antipasti, chicory and citrus salad, and chocolate zeppole. Two seatings: 6pm and 8pm. $50 (plus tax and gratuity); $25 gets you an optional Sicilian wine pairing. Cin cin! Call 510-652-3676 to reserve.

Heal Thyself at These New Year's Day Brunches

I feel so sorry for anyone working on New Year’s Day. As if brunch service wasn’t tough enough. Be nice, everyone. It’s on Monday January 1st, so running a Monday brunch service is extra unusual. Here are a few brunches that have crossed my desk. I will update this post in the coming weeks, so feel free to check back!

NAMU GAJI will be open, offering full table service during the day! Loco moco, okonomiyaki, gamja fries, Bloody Marys—they’ve got you covered. Open 10:30am-4pm. Reserve here.

VICTORY HALL in SoMa will be doing their brass and brunch (which is also a celebration of their four-year anniversary). Brunch runs from 10am-4pm. Follow their Instagram for updates.

Need some fresh air? And how about a view? EL TECHO will be open for brunch, ready to greet you with a Latin American-inspired menu and plenty of adult beverages, starting at 11am. The windscreens, heaters, and retractable roof means it will be open rain or shine.

More fresh air will be on the patio at 4505 BURGERS AND BBQ, which will be serving specials like their maple bacon breakfast sando, usually available on weekends only, and hoppin John (a New Year’s Day classic!). Open 10:30am-10pm.

You know, a Cubano or medianoche from MEDIA NOCHE in the Mission sounds like the perfect thing. Come by starting at 11:30am on New Year’s Day for their usual menu of pressed Cubanos, rice and bean bowls, and picadillo empanadas.

The fine folks at HOG & ROCKS will take care of you, serving the same brunch menu as served on weekends. Cocktails. Outdoor tables. Fresh air. Whew. 11am-3pm.

ABSINTHE will be open, serving restorative dishes like oxtail soup with roasted garlic chapon and poutine (fried cheese curds, crispy braised beef, poached egg, and mushroom gravy). 11am-4pm (last reservation at 2pm).

You have some friends staying downtown? MKT RESTAURANT at the Four Seasons is hosting a New Year’s Day brunch buffet from 10am-2:30pm, with savory and sweet stations. $45 for adults, add entrée for $20; $21 for children ages 5-12.

Manufactory Food Hall Coming to SFO, Featuring Tartine, Kin Khao, and Cala

How’s this for a massive new project? Due to open at the San Francisco International Airport in mid-2018 is the MANUFACTORY FOOD HALL, a 3,200-square-foot space with three restaurants led by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson of Tartine, Gabriela Cámara of Cala, and Pim Techamuanvivit of Kin Khao. It’s due to open near boarding area A in the International Terminal. There will be a full-service bar, grab-and-go options, and some retail too.

Tartine will offer an experience somewhat similar to the Manufactory, including full service (think warm sandwiches, salads, and soups) as well as a bakery counter (bring on the morning buns). Tartine’s Coffee Manufactory (led by Chris Jordan) will also offer a full coffee bar, grab-and-go coffee, espresso drinks, and whole beans.

Techamuanvivit will be developing a fine-casual menu, with Thai rice bowls, noodles, and vegan options too, all designed for portability.

Cámara is pulling inspiration from her daytime Tacos Cala and is planning to offer tacos, tostadas, and breakfast tortas, as well as main-course salads.

They are partnering with SSP America (“a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide”), and since quality is going to be of supreme importance to this trio of operators, they will be handling their own day-to-day operations instead of third parties. Stand by for more. With everything Tartine has going on in Los Angeles, it’s a good thing Prueitt and Robertson have access to a lot of coffee (and even Coffee Manufactory is expanding!).

Service Updates at Serpentine, Almanac Taproom, Booster Foods, Doña Tomás

Now that SERPENTINE is up and running with its updated interior and menu, they are making a few service tweaks. Starting on Saturday January 6th, they will be serving brunch Thu-Sun 10am-2:30pm (take a look at the menu here, which includes honey fried chicken and enchilada frittata) and discontinuing lunch Mon-Wed. Dinner service will continue unchanged Mon-Sat.

And then in February, chef-owner Tommy Halvorson is going to begin a new series of Sunday Suppers on the first Sunday of every month.The first Sunday Supper (on Sunday February 11th since the Super Bowl is on February 2nd) will be inspired by Louisiana, and the bountiful, family-style menu will be $40. You can get your tickets to this one if you like to plan ahead. Each Sunday Supper menu will be $35-$40 per person for the equivalent of three courses. I’ll keep you posted on others.

Meanwhile, ALMANAC TAPROOM has launched weekend brunch, including a burger Benedict (ruh-roh), breakfast ribs (confited local pork spareribs, fried and finished with a breakfast glaze of maple, coffee dry rub spice, crema, cured egg yolk, and showered in crispy bacon bits), special beer brunchy creations (IPA michelada, beermosa), and coffee too. Click through the pics here to see the menu. Brunch runs Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. And there’s that outdoor patio! 2704 24th St. at Potrero.

Feeling a bit beat-up with all the eggnog and cheese platters? You can give your body a break with the new dinner service available at BOOSTER FOODS, which is located inside Chile Pies in NoPa. Their specialty is nutrient-dense, clean, and healthy food, and the expanded menu now includes sesame chicken spring rolls, sesame chicken salad, and wild mushroom cauliflower-crust pizza. Hours are now Mon-Fri 11:30am-9pm. And you can order delivery on Caviar (use my code for $20 off your first delivery!).

Pie lovers, don’t worry, Chile Pies is still open for its regular hours (Mon-Fri 3pm-10pm and Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm), but it’s now only offering sweet pies during the week. Savory items will be available (in addition to sweet pies) on Saturday and Sunday. 601 Baker St. at Fulton.

Over in Oakland, DOÑA TOMÁS is now offering lunch service every Tue-Fri 11am-2:30pm (in addition to brunch and dinner). Counter service includes a wide range of meat and vegetarian tacos, burrito bowls, and a crunchy gem lettuce salad with avocado, radish, pumpkin seeds, and cumin salt. You can hit the margaritas or perk up with coconut-horchata iced coffee. 5004 Telegraph Ave. at 49th St., Oakland.

Babu Ji Closes (But Delivery Continues), Plus Crepevine and Desco in Oakland

Last week, a friend let me know that New York import BABU JI was closing after a year in business here in SF and becoming a delivery-only business. Delivery starts tonight (December 19th). You can also still book private dining and other large-party reservations. Not sure who will serve you or how long this odd arrangement will continue, but according to a post on Facebook, owners Jessi and Jennifer Singh are “heading south and we’ll keep you posted on our exciting Southern California happenings soon!” We’ll see if L.A. cares about their reputation that was tarnished with two past wage and labor lawsuits—it obviously didn’t fly so well here in SF. And everyone likes to say that location is cursed. And of course restaurants are damn hard to run in SF. 280 Valencia St. at 14th St.

Some other closures to report: CREPEVINE at 216 Church Street, after 18 years (a rent hike is to blame). [Via Hoodline.]

And in the East Bay, chef Donato Scotti is closing DESCO in Old Town Oakland after New Year’s Eve service on December 31st (they’re offering an amuse-bouche, a choice of two antipasti, porcini and cheese tortellini, a choice of rabbit or swordfish, and a chocolate tart for dessert, $68, FYI!). Scotti says the closure is a result of an “inability to come to a long-term agreement that would allow us to make updates to the restaurant space and concept.” He goes on to say, “While Desco is doing very well, we have decided to focus our attention on Donato & Co., our two restaurants in Redwood City, Donato Enoteca and Cru, as well as a new venture planned in San Francisco.” I’ll keep you posted. 499 9th St. at Washington, Oakland.

This Round Is On Me... (hey, thanks!)

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the lush

Bar News & Reviews (put it on my tab)

Lazy Bear's New Cocktail Concept, True Laurel, Opens Friday December 22nd

Opening this Friday December 22nd is a new project from David Barzelay and Nicolas Torres of Lazy Bear: TRUE LAUREL. This stylish bar was designed along with Nicholas Roberto, and the former woodsy look of The Tradesman has been replaced with new materials like powder-coated steel, concrete, and a plaster wall sculpture. True to its name, the main bar is made from a cross section of a laurel tree and is inlaid with white-green quartzite.

There is also an eight-person back bar that will open in 2018, offering a tasting menu of five tasting-sized cocktails with dishes from the kitchen. There will be two seating times per night and a designated bartender.

Unlike Lazy Bear, the bar is walk-in only (no reservations), and it has a more relaxed style and vibe, whether you want a drink and a bite or are looking for more of a meal (there is both bar and table seating).

The cocktails by Torres are ingredient-driven, with a focus on seasonality and minimal waste, so he utilizes everything from the pith to the pit when possible. He also likes to utilize wines from around the world and apéritifs in his drinks, making them even more food-friendly.

Cocktails include the Top Dawg (house Shinko pear tonic, rancio wine, carbonated and served tall with a black sudachi and smoked salt rim) and the Shaker Lemon Stirred (with Meyer lemon fino sherry, moscato chinato, and wheat vodka, served up with a candied and charred lemon wheel). They run $14-$16 each.

There are some fun vintage elements, from the glassware to some spirits like bourbon from the 1940s-50s, bottled and labeled specifically for the San Francisco Pacific-Union Club.

As for the menu from Barzelay and chef de cuisine Geoff Davis, look for fun shared plates like Dungeness crab and aged cheddar fondue served with toasts; charred pumpkin lettuce wraps; crispy hen-of-the-woods mushrooms with sour cream and alliums dip; and a TL patty melt.

Hours will be daily 4pm-2am. The kitchen opens at 5pm, with last call for the kitchen at 1am. They will be closed for a Christmas break from December 24th-25th. 753 Alabama St. at 19th St.

Take a Peek at August Hall and Fifth Arrow, Opening in the Former Ruby Skye and Slide

Back in March, we learned that Nate Valentine (Umami, Mamacita, The Tipsy Pig, Padrecito, Harper & Rye, Ambassador, Double Dutch) was partnering with Scott Murphy (Deckstar, Eventbrite, SnowGlobe Music Festival), Chad Donnelly (SnowGlobe Music Festival), and Justin Roja (Redford Bar | Eat, Rambler at Hotel Zeppelin) to take over Ruby Skye and Slide and open AUGUST HALL and FIFTH ARROW in their places. A bit more detail has been released, with some renderings and timing (they are targeting spring 2018).

To recap, they are opening in the historic Native Sons of the Golden West building and are taking some inspiration from the building’s history. August Hall (named after its 1890s architect, August Headman) is going to be a live music and special event venue, with room for 750 guests for concerts and up to 1,000 guests for dance events. It will feature a modernist style (designed by Britt Hull of the Tide Design Co. and Parisa O’Connell Interior Design), state-of-the-art-technical elements (including a sound system by d&b audiotechnik), three full bars with food service, and top artists presented through Live Nation Entertainment. Jodi Goodman, president at Live Nation Northern California, says, ”August Hall is destined to become an iconic, must-visit venue in the Bay Area, and we look forward to releasing an inspiring schedule of shows in the coming months.” This is shaping up to be a pretty amazing new venue.

Fifth Arrow is going to be the downstairs cocktail, dining, and gaming parlor with three bowling lanes (the first and only in Union Square)—it was originally a 1930s Prohibition speakeasy. (It takes its name from the target point used by bowling aficionados for optimal scoring.)

Stand by for news about upcoming shows, menus (chef Todd Shoberg is no longer involved), and more soon. 420 Mason St. at Geary.

The Tap Room at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Is Now Open Again

After a nine-month hiatus, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is back in business and has reopened its newly remodeled Hunters Point taproom (it has an expanded 17-line draft system and new copper-top tables and lighting). Ces Butner (Hunters Point Brewery LLC) is the new owner—it’s refreshing news that he’s a local African-American businessperson with three decades of experience in the craft beer industry (instead of some big beer company). Butner will open up the brewery to additional regional brands in need of a local facility looking to enhance their production numbers. He says, “We have a 60,000-barrel facility and we’re looking forward to inviting brands in need of a brewing facility to collaborate with us in 2018.” Brand-new crowlers as well as growlers will now be available

Bottle production for retail distribution throughout California and select markets across the country will kick back in on January 1st, 2018, and there will be a grand opening event at the brewery on Saturday January 27th. Open Tue-Thu 3pm-9pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm, and Sun 12pm-8pm. 1195 Evans Ave. at Keith.