1. Chocolate Coma
Well let’s hope that the title of this event, “Chocolate Seizure,” doesn’t mean that the amount of chocolate and wine served at Crushpad (for a very reasonable $40, which includes a bottle of wine to be picked up at a later date, once it has finished aging) will cause the body to go into shock. We’re sure the Crushpad winemakers and participating chocolatiers—Coco Delice, Tcho, Schoggi and more—will keep even the most ardent hedonist under control. The event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on September 11. Register now!

2. Seven by Seven at Seven
Seven sakes from Chikurin and Eiko Fuji brewers will be served alongside seven courses specially created by chef Shotaro “Sho” Kamio at Yoshi’s on September 11 at 7 p.m. During the meal, the brewers will be on hand to answer questions about their new-release sake. Make reservations for the $125 dinner by calling 415-655-5609.



3. The Communal Kitchen
Ever wondered what goes on at La Cocina, the incubator kitchen in the Mission that has given rise to so many of the food businesses (Kika’s Treats, Sinful Sweets and El Huarache Loco among them) you love? Find out at the La Cocina open house on September 12, when many of its 22 resident entrepreneurs will be offering tastes of their creations. The event, held in the commercial kitchen, runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and costs $5.



4. String Along
Fewer things go better with juicy, vine-ripe tomatoes than fresh mozzarella. Poggio’s executive chef Peter McNee will be making and hand-stretching the cheese all week long, then using it in a variety of dishes on the menu. Make your dinner reservations for the mozzarella festa, which runs until September 13, by calling415-332-7771.



5. Love, Chaos and Cocktails
Teatro Zinzanni has been bringing love, chaos and dinner to San Francisco for seven years. Now Zinzanni mixologist Adam LaCagnina will stir up some cocktails under the tent. On September 11, the zinful mixer will share the secrets behind the lemon drop, cosmo and vodka martini in the first of a series of cocktail classes, this one dedicated to vodka. The $20 admission gets you a tutorial and samples. To reserve your spot at the bar, call the box office at 415-438-2668.

6. Feast to Feed
The more people who feast on appetizers and drink wine on September 18, the more money will be raised to feed the nearly 150,000 people of San Francisco who live in hunger. More than 30 top SF restaurants, including Epic Roasthouse, Orson, Spruce and Absinthe, will be serving samples of signature dishes from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at One Ferry Plaza (behind the Ferry Building) to raise money for the San Francisco Food Bank. Satisfy your own hunger and the hunger of others by purchasing your $40 ticket at the door.



7. Spill the Beans
Local heirloom-bean hero Steve Sando is throwing a party, and you’re invited. Celebrate the release of the Rancho Gordo Heirloom Beans Cookbook at the Jimtown Store in Healdsburg on September 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. Sando (and coauthor Vanessa Berrington) will be on hand to share recipes that will have you cooking beans at every meal.