There are also some fun holiday “shop local” events coming up. One is the first annual Sip Snack & Shop event on Chestnut Street. On Thursday December 2nd (from 6pm-9pm), all participating businesses, including restaurants, will be offering at least 15% off purchases, and many tastes. Attendees will receive a wine glass and the evening’s program upon checking into one of the three designated locations; the program will contain a street map detailing all of the participating businesses, their offers for the night, an entertainment guide, and several coupons redeemable for bites at participating restaurants that evening. 21 and over only. $30 tickets can be purchased here. The Bay Guardian will donate the net proceeds from the advertising in the Sip Snack & Shop program guide to The Marina Merchants Association.
On Friday December 10th, La Cocina is hosting their Second Annual Gift Fair, a perfect way to shop for all the food lovers in your life. You’ll be able to pick up a variety of goods, from Clairesquares to alfajores from Sabores del Sur—and yours truly will also be there, signing and selling my book! In addition to the food and gift vendors, the event will include a bar and a raffle (one item is a lunch and tour of Cowgirl Creamery!) to benefit La Cocina. 4pm-9pm. Admission is free and open to the public. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission St. (near the 24th & Mission BART).
For those who can’t make it, or just like to shop from home, there are also some fun La Cocina gift boxes, including the San Francisco Street Food Lovers’ Box ($50), which includes a copy of my book! Each box contains a mix of artisanal, handmade products from the businesses enrolled in La Cocina’s incubator program, and the sale of each box directly supports local entrepreneurship and the work of La Cocina. And here’s a nice deal: this Friday November 26th—the day after Thanksgiving—get $5 off purchases of $30 or more (before shipping and tax) when you purchase a gift box!
Do you love tamales? Then you’ll want to check out the annual La Cocina La Tamalada cooking party on December 15th (6:30pm-9pm). Join chefs Dilsa Lugo and Maria del Carmen Flores as you put hands to corn and banana leaves, and fill them with the magic masa that becomes a tamal. Leave the class with a bag of tamales for your family. $65. Dinner and drinks included.
Speaking of tamales, ~PICA PICA MAIZE KITCHEN~ is offering hallacas (ah-ják-as) on the menu, a traditional savory holiday tamale-like treat with a three-meat filling loaded with seasonings and spices, encased in a corn flour dough, and then wrapped and cooked in fragrant plantain leaves. On Tuesday December 7th, you are invited to come by and make your own (with guidance, of course) anytime from 5:30pm-7:30pm. You can take them home for $9 each. Hallacas will be available up until the New Year; you can even order them online here. 401 Valencia St. at 15th St., 415-400-5453.
Event Info
Thursday Dec 2, 2010 – Saturday Jan 1, 2011
