Monday, December 31

What better way to celebrate the end of the holiday season than in red with Foreign Cinema? They’ll be decking the halls with red flowers, dramatic lighting, and flickering candles and projecting a special showing of the 1981 film, Reds, onto the courtyard. Chefs Gayle Pirie and John Clark will also be offering a special celebratory three course prix-fixe menu. Reservations can be made by calling 415-648-7600 ext. 0. First seating ($85) 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm; Second seating ($95) 8 pm to 10:45 pm, 2534 Mission Street at 22nd Street.

Get into the spirit of giving and end the year filled with food, drinks, and live jazz music at Comstock Saloon. Starting at noon, guests can purchase Drakes Bay Oysters for $10/half dozen with all proceeds benefiting the families of Drakes Bay Oyster Company. Later, continue the oyster-themed night with a three-course prix-fixed menu dinner ($65/per person plus tax and gratuity) featuring items such as a roasted quail with oyster-sausage stuffing, fennel, artichokes and creamed kale. For reservations, please call 415-617-0071. Drakes Bay Oyster Raw Bar, 12 pm – 4 pm, Prix-Fixe Dinner, $65 per person plus tax and gratuity: 6 pm – 12 am, 155 Columbus Avenue (at Pacific)

Ring in the New Year in style with live entertainment from pianist Michael Athens at one of San Francisco’s most scenic locations, Top of the Mark. Start your evening with champagne and hors d’oeuvres including assorted caviar, a Spanish Serrano ham carving station, and a selection of rillettes. Then sit down to a four-course dinner with a bottle of Moet & Chandon Imperial before dancing the night away and toasting the New Year. For reservations, please call 415-616-6941. 6:30 pm-12 am, $375 per person, $425 per person with premium window seating. One Nob Hill.

Kick back with some Southern home cooking this New Year’s Eve at The Front Porch and order from their special a la carte menu that includes Dungeness Crab and grits, Baked Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Wild Mushrooms, or a Surf and Turf Burger with House Ground Beef. After you’re done feasting, head over for a champagne toast at Rock Bar to watch the Times Square New Years Eve Ball Drop. Party favors and sound makers will be provided! The Front Porch, 65a 29th Street (at Tiffany Avenue)

Tuesday, January 1

Recover from the night before with Foreign Cinema’s ultimate “Hangover Brunch.” Dishes include Hangover Soup with a poached farm egg, an indulgent Croque Madame, the Llano Seco Braised Pork with fried eggs, and plenty more. If you need a little extra something to get you through the day, pair your food with one of their cocktails like the Hemingway Daiquiri or the Sunday Bloody Caesar to bring you back to life. 11 am to 3 pm, 2534 Mission Street at 22nd Street. 

There’s nothing like an afternoon fry party to get you back into the swing of things after a long night. Start off the new year at the Front Porch and enjoy an all you can eat buffet with all the fried foods you can think of, including Oreos if you so dare. Then head over to the Rock Bar anytime from 2 pm- 2 am to get “pickled” and enjoy New Year’s cocktail specials like the original hangover cure, The Corpse Reviver #2 (London Gin, Lillet, Cointreau, Absinthe, Lemon). The Front Porch, $20 Afternoon Fry Party 1 pm- 6 pm. 65a 29th Street (at Tiffany Avenue)

Sunday, January 6-31

Plan ahead and make the scenic trip to Yosemite for the Ahwahnee’s 28th annual Chefs’ Holidays series. The series is broken up into eight different sessions from January 6 - 31, 2013 during which 25 chefs and culinary experts from New York to Los Angeles will team up to create a one of a kind culinary vacation. At each session you’ll be able to attend a “Meet the Chefs” reception, three educational cooking demonstrations and tastings, a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour and a five-course Gala Dinner prepared by the chefs and paired with four wines, served by candlelight. For reservations, call 801-559-4903 or visit their website here. Two- and three-night Yosemite culinary vacation packages are available at The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, starting at $449 and $332 respectively, and include lodging and admission for two to the Chefs’ Holidays events. Tickets for the Gala Dinner are available for $199 per person, including gratuity. Tax not included. One Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite National Park.