Thursday, January 9
Head over to Jack London Square Thursday night to dine for a good cause. Bocanova is participating in the Oakland Restaurant Association’s “Dine & Unwind” series to benefit the Oakland Lighthouse Community Charter School. Bocanova will donate 15 percent of the dinner’s proceeds to the school. For the special occasion, Chef and owner Rick Hackett created a five-course, family-style menu featuring his ever-popular sustainable seafood dishes. $72, 7:00 p.m. 55 Webster St, Oakland. Make reservations here.
Friday, January 10
La Toque restaurant will debut their 32nd Annual Truffle Menu on Friday night! Created by Executive Chef and Owner Ken Frank, the menu will feature fresh black winter truffles in every course. Last year the menu featured mouthwatering dishes like, Ravioli “Sunny Side Up” with Soft Egg Yolk and Black Truffle Butter, Parmesan Chawan Mushi with Oxtail, Yellow Foot Chanterelles and Black Truffle, and Truffled Mascarpone Cannoli with Roasted Hazelnuts. The six-course all truffle menu will be available nightly through the end of truffle season. $200, additional $85 for wine pairings. 1314 McKinstry St, Napa. Make reservations here.
Saturday, January 11
In last week’s foodie agenda, we mentioned the Bay Area Brew Fest. It’s not too late to attend! Dozens of breweries, hundreds of different kinds of beer, food trucks, DJs and a photo booth will all come together for your boozy entertainment. Admission includes unlimited beer sampling. $40, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Fort Mason Center. Get tickets here.
Sunday, January 12
Hi Lo is kicking off their Sunday brunch series this weekend and Chef Robin is ready to add some BBQ flair to the menu. Get ready for booze, brews and BBQ staples like Shrimp & Grits, Ember Baked Eggs, Pulled Pork Sandwichs, and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 3416 19th St. @ San Carlos
Tuesday, January 14
Learn to make whiskey cocktails with award-winning bartender Elmer Majicanos. At Cocktail College & Pizza Night you’ll be greeted with drinks and learn how to make two signature whiskey cocktails, all while enjoying Capo’s cracker thin, deep dish, and cast iron pizzas plus their famous meatballs. Fun! $60, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 641 Vallejo St. @ Stockton. Get tickets here.
Thursday, January 16 and Saturday, January 18
The Good Food Awards celebrate tasty, authentic, and responsible food from America's best food makers. On Thursday you’ll be among the first to meet this year’s 126 award winning businesses and attend a special award ceremony featuring Dr. Zeke Emanuel (special advisor to President Obama) Alice Waters, and Nell Newman (founder of Newman’s Own Organics). After the ceremony gorge yourself at the reception and good food extravaganza. Saturday, the winners will be on display at the Ferry Building, and the Good Food Awards-winning brewers and distillers will convene in the Beer & Spirits Garden for a tasting. 1/16 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., The Palace of Fine Arts, 1/18 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.,The Ferry Building & 18 Reasons. $125 for awards ceremony, $15 for all other events. Buy tickets here.
Friday, January 17
Chef Charlie Palmer, Chef Dustin Valette and Dry Creek Kitchen are holding a one-of-a-kind dinner series showcasing the rich culinary and wine heritage of Sonoma County. This month the community supper is hosted by Brogan Cellars who will be serving their prized wines and personal family recipes. The night includes a four-course meal with wine pairings. $105, Dry Creek Kitchen 317 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg. Call for reservations: (707) 431-0330.
Saturday, January 18
The 8th Annual Cabernet Shootout Challenge gives you the chance to pit your palate against the pros. The day includes two concurrent panel sessions of winemakers –“How Place Affects Taste” and “The Winemakers Signature” – and a blind tasting of 16 different Cabernets chosen from among the top 32 of the year. After the tasting, the results of the public will be compared with the results of the professionals. This unique event allows you to taste rare wines, mingle with a number of the vinters, and sample numerous vinos in an open walk around tasting accompanied by various nibbles. Tickets start at $69, 12:00 p.m. The Old Mint, 88 5th Street @ Mission. Get tickets here.
