1. Culinary karma  
New Delhi restaurant and Compassionate Chefs Café are hosting “An Intimate Dinner with Martin Yan: Helping Kids Across the Street and Across the Ocean” on Sunday, May 25, from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.  Your $125 donation to this fundraiser buys you a seat at the table for a dinner of Indian and Chinese dishes served family-style, including chicken Manchurian, hakka noodles, lamb kofta and an array of desserts. There will be live entertainment, dancing and a DJ. For more information, visit compassionatechefs.org or call 415-816-4068.



2. California, meet Austria
On Thursday, May 22, Courtney Cochran of Hip Tastes and Mark Bright of Local are hosting a tasting of Austrian wines in the new wine room at Local. The tasting starts at 7 p.m. and costs $60, which includes the tasting, a gift and loads of information on Austrian varietals and the foods to pair with them. Winner of the taste-off will be serenaded with "Edelweiss." Just kidding. Sign up at hiptastes.com.

3. Put two on the barbie
If you've just broken out your barbecue, or are looking for new barbecuing ideas, COPIA's two-part grilling workshop is probably for you. Part One explores beef and other red meats with grill masters Andrew Schloss and David Joachim and will take place over two days, May 24 and May 25, at COPIA's Napa Valley campus. The cost for Part One is $295, which includes Schloss and Joachim's book Mastering the Grill, lunch, snacks and detailed handouts. Part Two takes place the following weekend and explores fish and shellfish. Book online at copia.org.

4. XYZ returns to SFO
Paul Piscopo, executive chef of XYZ restaurant—located in the W hotel—just returned from New York's famed James Beard House, where he recently cooked a dinner showcasing his skills. Throughout the month of May at XYZ, local fans of Piscopo's Italian-inflected cuisine can sample the same three-course spring tasting menu he busted out in New York. The price is $50 or $75 with wine. Book through opentable.com or call XYZ directly at 415-817-7836.



5. Salt or no salt?
Just in time for summer margarita drinking, Elixir is devoting the May 22 edition of its weekly cocktail club (held each Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.) to the subject of tequila. If you’ve ever wondered about the importance of barrel aging, how a blanco tequila differs from an añejo or the proper way to serve the spirit, this free class with David Grapshi from Patron is for you.

6. Spin the globe
Globe is located in the Jackson Square neighborhood and offers a regular Sunday menu inspired by the week's farmers markets. The four-course prix-fixe menu costs $39 (without wine) and includes a dessert or cheese course; past menus have featured fettuccini with rapini and bottarga di tonno, and braised lamb stew with nettles and soft polenta. While reservations are available, mellow Sundays at this tiny spot don't usually require one.



7. Storybook tasting
On Thursday, May 22, Storybook Mountain Vineyards will be offering a tasting at Arlequin Wine Merchant in Hayes Valley featuring organic state-grown Zinfandels, Rosés and Cabernet blends from the Mayacamas mountains in Napa. The price is $15 and includes the tasting and a discussion with a representative from the family-run winery. No reservations needed.