Thursday, Jan. 12
Need a place to wait for your table at Delfina? Take a seat at the communal table across the street at Mission nonprofit 18 Reasons, which is opening its doors to the first 18th Hour Café. From 5 to 9 p.m., wine and beer will flow, and cheese, charcuterie, and Tartine bread and butter will be served. Everything's under $16, and all proceeds support 18 Reasons’ classes and community service work.
Friday, Jan. 13
O3 Bistro & Lounge opens in the former CPK space. In the contemporary dining room, chef Joseph Villanueva’s (previously of Le Colonial) serves pan-Asian fare, such as braised oxtail tacos with a jicama cabbage slaw in a wonton shell and glass noodle salad.
Also, while Dennis Lee readies Namu Gaji for a February opening, a Namu pop-up is setting up shop at Four Barrel. Choose from among three offerings, including market pickles and a kana salad of hand-picked Dungeness crab, romaine, kaiware, and onion sesame dressing; bibim kooks salad with pork, crab, or vegetarian ramen; ground pork, squid, or veggie okonomiyaki. Beer pairings from Magnolia Brewery are also on offer.
Saturday, Jan. 14
If you didn't shell out to attend the Good Food Awards ceremony Friday night, you still have a chance to meet the winners (and their delicious offerings) at the Good Food Awards Marketplace, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A $5 admission lets you walk among those honored for crafting delicious and responsibly produced food (beer, cheese, chocolate, coffee, charcuterie, pickles, preserves, and spirits) from around the country.
Sunday, Jan. 15
More than a dozen SF bakers are competing at the Cupcake Challenge at the Mezzanine for the best mini cupcake in town. Sample the entries for a $40 admission, and vote for your faves.
Later, Dine About Town kicks off its two-weeks of two-course prix-fixe lunches ($17.95) and three-course prix-fixe dinners ($34.95) at more than 100 SF restaurants. It's a good chance to check out the newcomers (Bottle Cap, Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen) and old favorites (Foreign Cinema, Town Hall).
