19 Fun Things: The Dandelion Chocolate Factory, Beer Festivals, Bottomless Brunch + More Bay Area Events
The Dandelion Chocolate Factory opens this week with a cafe, tours, tastings, and more. (Courtesy of Dandelion)

19 Fun Things: The Dandelion Chocolate Factory, Beer Festivals, Bottomless Brunch + More Bay Area Events

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Easter is something to look forward to, with a plentitude of brunch options and unlimited mimosas.

But don't wait for Sunday to have a little fun—this week brings the opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at SHN, drinks at the Virgin Hotel's scenic new rooftop bar, a laser light show set to Dark Side of the Moon, the opening of Dandelion's epic chocolate factory, and more.


Have a good one!

Monday, April 15th

"Check, Please!" Taste & Sip

On May 14th, KQED's annual Bay Area foodie event will bring together more than 50 restaurants—think Bar Crudo, Dad's Luncheonette, Pläj, Z&Y Restaurant, Lers Ros, and Dragon Beaux—at the SF Design Center. Grab your tickets now for a night filled with wine, food, and live jazz. // Tickets ($95 and up) can be purchased on kqed.org.


A Dessert Extravaganza

Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission), lazybearsf.com

Love desserts, Lazy Bear, and giving back? Tickets go on sale today (and are likely to sell out early) for a special charity dinner with a dessert-inspired menu from a crew of A-list chefs including Nicole Krasinski (State Bird), Alexander Terrazas (Jane), Harry Flager (Birdsong), Kim Conroy (Lazy Bear), and Nicholas Muncy (Michael Mina). Each chef will present a pastry course along with a beverage pairing. // 6pm to 10pm May 13 at Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission); tickets ($250) can be purchased on Tock, with $100 of each ticket going to Project Night Night.


Klatch Coffee Arrives

Klatch Coffee, 1452 Franklin St. (Pac Heights), klatchroasting.com

Love your gourmet coffee? Fancy-pants artisan coffee company Klatch is opening one of its specialty shops in SF. Stop in for the award-winning cold brew, or taste the world's most expensive coffees—Elida Geisha 803 and Elida Geisha 97+ cost $803 and $661 per pound respectively; both won gold medals at the 2018 Best of Panama competition.

Tuesday, April 16th

A New Rooftop Spot

5pm to 1:30am, Tuesdays through Saturdays

Everdene, 250 Fourth St. (SoMa), virginhotels.com

We're beyond stoked to welcome a new rooftop bar to SF. Everdene is now slanging drinks—including a $100 liter bevvie for groups—from the 12th floor bar of the new Virgin Hotel. Go for panoramic views, stay fueled on tuna tostadas, veggie tacos, gremolata fries, and frito misto.


"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"

Through May 12th

SHN Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St. (Tenderloin), shnsf.com

Roald Dahl's childhood classic comes to live in musical form. Grab a few golden tickets to enjoy a performance packed with Oompa-Loompas, chocolate, and magic. // Tickets ($56 to $226) are available on shnsf.com.

Wednesday, April 17th

Tacos from Mi Morena.

(Courtesy of La Cocina)

La Cocina's Pop-Up Lunches

11:30am to 3pm

6th St. & Market St. (Downtown)

La Cocina is working hard on it new marketplace in the Tenderloin, but till that gets going you can head over to SoMa for a lunchtime pop-up on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Right now you'll find food from Mi Morena on all three days, alongside Little Red Riding Truck (Wednesdays), D'Maise (Thursdays), and tHiyaa and Seoulful alternating on Fridays. // lacocinasf.org


Gorgon City

Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm

The Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Ave (Nob Hill), theregencyballroom.com

Dance your face off to the groovy beats of Gorgon City and enjoy their hit dance tracks like "Here For You," "Real," and "Ready for Your Love." // Tickets ($35 and up) can be bought on axs.com.

Thursday, April 18th

Both the Exploratorium and Chabot Space and Science Center are exploring cannabis in advance of 4/20 today.

(Photo by Roberto Valdivia)

Presidio Experience Tour

1pm to 3pm

Presidio Visitor Center, 210 Lincoln Boulevard on the Presidio's Main Post (Presidio), presidio.gov

Spend two hours exploring the national park within the city on a guided tour including intel on the history of the Presidio and an up-close look at the Presidio Officers' Club. // Free to attend, register at Eventbrite.


Cannabis After Dark

6pm to 10pm

Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero), exploratorium.edu

Spark up the fun in advance of 4/20 at the Exploratorium's After Dark event celebrating bud. Check out live plant exhibits and demonstrations exploring the genetics of cannabis, as well as discussions about the political, social, and environmental effects of legalizing marijuana. // Tickets ($120) can be bought at exploratorium.edu.


Dark Side of the Moon

6:30pm to 10pm

Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. (Oakland), chabotspace.org

Chabot Space & Science Center is also hitting the cannabis theme this week, with the science center's new Lectures & Lasers series. Catch a talk on the neuroscience of marijuana, and then grab a drink for the laser show in the planetarium set to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. // Tickets ($25) are available at chabotspace.org.


Friday, April 19th

Visit the Dandelion Chocolate Factory

Dandelion Chocolate, 2600 16th St. (Mission), dandelionchocolate.com

Basically like Wonkaland, SF's own Dandelion Chocolate opens its new 28,000-square-foot factory today. The complex is divided into different experiences, including a gilded chocolate salon where you can sit and dine on various chocolate desserts and savory items (similar to a posh spot you'd go for tea), a cafe where you can get pastries and drinks to go, as well as a few areas that allow for viewing the magical production of turning beans into chocolate.


Muscadet & Oysters

2pm to 5pm

Arlequin Wine Merchant, 348A Hayes St., (Hayes Valley), arlequinwinemerchant.com

Cut out of work early and head over to the wine shop for freshly shucked oysters and muscadet pours, plus discounted special bottles for purchase) // Tickets ($20/wine tasting; $9-$34/oysters) can be purchase onsite.


Sam's Cafe is back.

Sam's Anchor Cafe, 27 Main St. (Tiburon), samscafe.com

Our favorite Tiburon tavern, Sam's Anchor Cafe, has reopened after a month-long hiatus to spruce up the place. Pop in for dockside bites and drinks, surrounded by a new nautical look and feel, plus elements that showcase the life of the OG Sam, their first owner, Sam Vella.


Caminos Flamencos

8pm shows on Friday and Saturday

Cowell Theater at Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd (Marina)

Catch an epic dance performance from West Coast dancing troupe Caminos Flamencos. Their show, "Encrucijada" (meaning "crossroads"), will feature guest performers from Spain. // Tickets ($25-75) can be found on fortmason.org.

Saturday, April 20th

4/20 Events

Various venues around the Bay Area

Celebrate the cannabis lovers' holiday with our roundup of stoner-friendly events today.


Juicy Brews Fest

Noon to 4pm

Drake's Dealership, 2325 Broadway (Oakland), drinkdrakes.com

Craft beer mag Hop Culture is teaming up with Drake's Brewing for a good ole beer festival. Taste your way through 20+ breweries who'll be pouring rare, limited releases, all served up in unlimited two-ounce pours. // Tickets ($60) can be bought on Eventbrite.


SFAI Spring Graduate Open Studios

1pm to 5pm

SFAI Fort Mason Campus, 2 Marina Boulevard, Pier 2 (Marina), sfai.edu

For one afternoon only, check out some awesome artworks from the latest batch of students graduating SFAI at this student-curated gallery. // Free to attend, register via Eventbrite.


San Francisco International Beer Festival

7pm to 10pm

Fort Mason Festival Pavilion (Marina)

Oakland too far to go for beers? The San Francisco International Beer Festival will showcase more than 100 breweries. In addition to unlimited beer pours, there will be samples of different liquors, food, live music, and games. // Tickets ($75 and up) can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 21st

Nonstop Bottomless Brunch

10am to 2:30pm, weekends only

Alba Ray's, 2293 Mission St. (Mission), albarays.com

Missed out on the Mardi Gras brunch parties last month? You're in luck. Alba Rays, which has hit pause on dinner service while they regroup on their concept, is bringing back bottomless weekend brunches indefinitely. Wake up to jambalaya, soufflé pancakes, beignets, frozen Irish coffee, bloodies, mimosas, rosé, and more. // $42/person with a 90 minute time limit, reservations encouraged.


Easter Brunch In Wine Country

Reservations available at 10:30am an 1pm at press time

Wente Vineyards, 5565 Tesla Rd. (Livermore), wentevineyards.com

Go big this Easter with a major brunch spread—think everything from scones to prime rib—and an included glass of champagne or a mimosa. // Reservations ($75/adults, $35/kids over 4) can be made on wentevineyards.com and are required in advance.


Check out more great Easter brunches around the Bay Area.

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