What and where you should be eating this week.
Pig Pickin' Dinner at Hopscotch
Chef Kyle Itani is ushering in Labor Day weekend with a whole pig roast in the Hopscotch annex in Oakland. Dig into hearty plates of tender, smoky pork, summer salad, and corn bread, and wash it all down with a pint of Fort Point Beer Co. And if that's not enough for you, you can add on additional sides like miso sofrito collard greens, dirty rice, raspini and onion fritter, or french fries for just a few dollars more.
Thursday, August 28: 6-10pm, $20, 1911 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland. No reservations required.
Lolò Launches New Cocktail Program
Taking inspiration from Loteria, the Mexican version of Bingo that's 100 percent better than the one you played as a kid, Lolo's new bar menu features cocktails drawn from the game cards like El Venado (mezcal, peach liqueur, orgeat, pineapple, blackberry vinegar), La Dama (rum, beet, horchata, cappelletti, egg), and El Diablito (aperol, mezcal, ancho reyes, lime, and grapefruit sherry).
Launches Wednesday, August 27: 6pm - 12am, 974 Valencia Street
Labor Day Barbecue at Homestead
In the East Bay, Labor Day is all about BBQ. Head over to farm-to-table Piedmont restaurant Homestead for a buffet-style barbecue during the three-day weekend. Grub on baby back ribs, corn on the cob with chili lime buter, salad, potato salad, baked beans, housemade pullman bread, and housemade popsicles.
Monday, September 1: 12pm until supplies run out, $30 for adults, $15 for kids, 4029 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland.
Pabu Launches Lunch Service
On Monday, Pabu (the much lauded sushi restaurant from Michael Mina and chef Ken Tominaga) added lunch service to their already extensive menu. Your midday options include Japanese classics such as Long & Bailey Pork Tonkatsu, Tempura Udon, Sukiyaki Beef Short Rib, and Yam Noodles, along with select dinner favorites.
Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2pm, 101 California Street
Arizmendi Builds a Parklet
Mission street bakery co-op, Arizmendi, wants to build a parklet with tiered bench seating and community murals at their Valencia Street location, but they need your help. This week they launched a campaign to raise $30,000 through Indiegogo. Rewards for donating include their famous cherry pie scones, the chance to build your own pizza, and your name engraved into the side of the parklet. Donate here.
