Before we dive in here, I’d like to encourage you to take 15 minutes and look at these recent images of the destruction in Japan. They are powerful, heartbreaking images that will inspire you to do whatever you can to help. And since the restaurant community is one to quickly rally in times of need, there are a bunch of fundraisers that are being planned—there are some below, but look for more in coming weeks.
Through the end of this week, ~CHOTTO~ is donating 100% of sales from their bacon mochi and draft Sapporo to aid in Japanese relief efforts.
LUCCA DELI is matching all donations placed into the donation jar up front, up to $500, then it will all go to the JCCCNC. 2120 Chestnut St. at Steiner.
On the evening of Wednesday March 30th, Bacchus Management Group and its family of restaurants—Café des Amis, Mayfield Bakery & Café, Pizza Antica, Spruce, and The Village Pub—will be donating a portion of their sales to the American Red Cross to help the children and families affected by this tragedy.
OZUMO San Francisco (as well as Ozumo Oakland) are also contributing to relief efforts through the Red cross, donating 100% of sales of their specialty cocktail Kibou No Hana, meaning “flower of hope” ($12, served all day). Donations will be made through the end of March. 161 Steuart St. at Mission, 415-882-1333.
One that is happening in multiple cities (with many Bay Area locations) on Saturday April 2nd is Samin Nosrat’s BAKESALE FOR JAPAN. They could use your help, whether you are a baker, designer, cook, publicist, volunteer, or simply a hungry customer. Follow updates on Twitter.
SUSHI RAN and many other local restaurants (Hiro’s Japanese Restaurant, Kyo-Ya, The Cliff House, Urban Tavern, Ozumo, Seasons, XYZ, E&O Trading Co., Kirala, Sanraku, Gonbe, Shabuway, Anamandara, and We Be Sushi) are supporting Hope to Japan, a fundraising event on Tuesday April 5th to benefit the Japanese Red Cross. The event is 6pm-9pm at the Hotel Nikko; tickets are $150 per person.
Also on April 5th, all four locations of PATXI’S PIZZA (San Francisco and Palo Alto) are raising funds for the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, established by the JCCCNC. 10% of all proceeds at lunch and dinner will be donated, whether the purchases are from dining, delivery, pick up, or gift cards. It’s all part of Patxi’s ongoing “52 Weeks of Giving” campaign.
The owners and staff of ~E&O TRADING COMPANY~ San Francisco are donating the entire evening of Sunday April 10th, 5pm-9pm, to host a fundraiser to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami via Give2Asia. That means that 100% of all proceeds from this event will go directly to the fund, and nothing will be taken out to cover expenses. Plans include live music, a DJ, and other entertainment. Tickets will be $75 and will include three drinks. 314 Sutter St. at Grant, 415-693-0303.
Last but certainly not least, Sho Kamio of ~YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO~, and Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani of Terra and ~AME~, who all have close family ties to the region directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami, are organizing two special events with 100% of proceeds going to charity.
At ~PROSPECT~ on April 3rd, Sho, Hiro, and Lissa will be joined by Bruce Hill (Bix, Picco, Zero Zero), Ravi Kapur (Prospect), Paul Canales (formerly of Oliveto), and Staffan Terje (Perbacco and Barbacco) for the Chef’s Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Farm Aid Dinner, starting at 6pm with sparkling wine, sake, and passed appetizers. At 7pm, a six-course, wine- and sake-paired tasting menu will be served. The participating chefs visited Sendai and parts of Miyagi prefecture in Japan two years ago; their eye-opening adventure, exploring culinary traditions and visiting local oyster farms, gave them all a special connection to the area. Please help the local farmers and growers rebuild by purchasing tickets ($300) here.
At ~YOSHI’S SAN FRANCISCO~ on Saturday April 9th, the trio is hosting a Japan Relief Benefit from 1pm-4pm for an afternoon of eating, wine and sake tasting, and rockin’ music. All the chefs from the April 3rd event will be there, joined by Ken Tominaga (Hana, Go Fish), Chris Cosentino (Incanto, Boccalone), Joseph Manzare (Hecho, Globe, Zuppa), Hoss Zaré (Zaré at Fly Trap), and Michael Morrison (Moss Room, COCO500). Look for the silent auction full of unusual items and a couple surprises. Please get your tickets to join these chefs in supporting the hard-working growers, farmers, and fishermen in the Miyagi area. Tickets are $75 per person in advance, and limited to 400 people.
