This week, the eatin' is good.
Look out for the openings of Izakaya Sushi Ran, the serious seafood restaurant Ayala in Union Square, and Michael Mina's new Hawaiian spot. Plus, celebrate Oaxanukkah at Comal, see Christmas through rose-colored glasses at Museum of Ice Cream, and shop holiday markets at Smuggler's Cove, The Progress, and more.
Have a great week!
Monday, December 3rd
MIchael Mina says Aloha!
When: Dinner, 5 to 10pm, Mondays through Saturdays
Where: Trailblazer Tavern, 350 Mission St. (SoMa), michaelmina.net
Things are moving along over at the Salesforce Tower with the opening of Trailblazer Tavern, a new Hawaiian restaurant concept from Michael Mina. With nearly 200 seats, it's a South of Market take on beachy with dishes including Hokkaido scallop dumplings, ahi tuna poke nachos, and miso-and-honey-glazed butterfish. Lunch and happy hour hours coming soon.
Happy Oaxanukkah
When: 6:30 to 10pm, Monday and Tuesday
Where: Comal, 2020 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley), comalberkeley.com
Pop over to the East Bay for a special Hanukkah dinner infused with the flavors of Oaxaca. Dig into a communal, family-style meal of tequila-cured salmon, potato-jalapeño latkes, and braised beef brisket. There will also be a menorah lighting so you know this dinner party will be lit. // Tickets ($75) are available on Ticketfly for Monday and Tuesday dinners.
Tuesday, December 4th
A pork belly dish from Izakaya Sushi Ran.
(Courtesy of the restaurant)
Sushi Ran spin-off comes to the Castro
When: 5:30 to 10pm Monday through Thursday; 5 to 11pm Friday and Saturday
Where: Izakaya Sushi Ran, 2223 Market St. (Castro), izakayasushiran.com
Lovers of the Mid-Market Japanese restaurant Nomica may not be thrilled to see the spot close its doors, but fans of Sausalito's legendary Sushi Ran can take heart: the location remains under the same ownership and will take on the Sushi Ran name (ish). Izakaya Sushi Ran will serve OG favorites such as rolls, sashimi, tempura, and a selection of hot and cold dishes; Nomica regulars will be pleased to find that the cocktail game remains strong.
A New Seafood Mecca
When: Dinner, 5:30 to 10pm nightly
Where: Ayala, 398 Geary St. (Union Square), ayalarestaurant.com
Ayala opens tonight with three stylish spaces—a lounge-y oysterette, an energetic standing-only raw bar, and a traditional dining room—in which to feast on Santa Barbara sea urchin with shiso, nori spaghettini with Dungeness crab, and a hearty cioppino verde from chefs Bill Montagne (Le Bernardin, Nico Osteria) and Melissa Perfit (Bar Crudo). Ahoy there!
Holiday Heroes
When: 4:30 to 8:30pm
Where: AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza (Embarcadero)
This annual fundraiser for underserved children is always a giant time. Explore the dugouts, roast s'mores on the infield, decorate cookies, stuff your own teddy bear, bid on silent auction items, and meet local sports stars. That's the spirit. // To purchase a ticket ($200) or make a donation, visit holidayheroes.auction-bid.org.
Wednesday, December 5th
BottleRock tix now on pre-sale!
When: 10am
Everyone's favorite Wine Country festival launches presale tickets this morning, and just in time for the holidays. Who wouldn't want to wake up to those passes in their stockings? // The 2019 festival is May 24-26. Three-day GA ($359), VIP ($799), Skydeck ($1599), and Platinum ($4,250) tickets will be available at bottlerocknapavalley.com.
Cirque de la Symphonie
When: 7:30 to 9:30pm
Where: San Francisco Symphony, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center)
Davies Hall will have extra sparkle tonight as Cirque de la Symphonie's entertainers and acrobats fly, tumble, and dance to the tune of holiday hits played by the SF Symphony. It promises to sweep you away. // Tickets ($39 and up) are available at sfsymphony.org.
Gray Area Artist Showcase
When: 7pm Wednesday, and 6pm Thursday
Where: Gray Area Art+Technology, 2665 Mission St. (Mission), grayarea.org
Tonight and tomorrow, Gray Area's Grand Theater will be transformed into an augmented reality fantasia by dozens of artists from the foundation's incubator and creative code immersive programs. Go tonight to partake in the cash bar. // Donations ($5-$20 sliding scale) can be made at eventbrite.com.
Thursday, December 6th
Pinkmas!
When: Through December 30th
Where: Museum of Ice Cream, 1 Grant Ave. (Union Square)
Revisit MOIC SF for a Christmas-y spin on all the saccharine magic. Pinkmas brings a glowing pink forest and festive holiday treats including a new flavor (Gingerbread Disco) and sweets from MyMo Mochi, La Michoacana, and Ghirardelli Chocolate. On Thursdays through December, the first 350 solo guests will get in free. // Tickets ($38) are available at museumoficecream.com.
"Mean Girls" in Drag
When: Showtime TBD, most likely early evening. Visit their website for up-to-date times.
Where: Winter Walk, Stockton St. between Geary and Ellis (Union Square)
The Union Square BID is once again making the most of the Stockton Street closure with its holiday Winter Walk, with festive holiday beverage bars, Off the Grid food trucks, photo booths, art installations, and family-friendly activities. Today, stop by for a special Mean Girls-inspired performance by drag queen Tye and friends. // Free to attend, find more info on winterwalksf.com.
3D Printed Drinks?
When: 7:30 to 11:30pm
Where: 16th Street Station, 1405 Wood St. (Oakland), 16thstreetstation.com
Tickets are still available for opening night of the otherwise-sold-out eight-day event that is Bulleit's 3D Printed Frontier, where you can allegedly sip 3D printed cocktails from a 3D printed bar while eating 3D printed food. Go see it to believe it, and while you're there listen to beats from local DJs. // For more information, go to bulleit.com/frontier-works.
Friday, December 7th
(Courtesy of The Fairmont San Francisco)
Giant Gingerbread Houses Forever
When: Daily until January 1st
Where: The Fairmont, 950 Mason St. (Russian Hill), fairmont.com
It's time for your annual trip to grand lobby of The Fairmont Hotel where jaws will drop in awe and mouths will water over the 25-foot-tall house made with 10,000 gingerbread pieces, 3,300 pounds of icing, and 1,650 pounds of candy. Savor the moment with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne bar or stop by the hot cocoa pop-up shop. // Find more info on fairmont.com.
A Holiday-Free Musical
When: Through December 22nd
Where: Z Below, 470 Florida St., (Mission)
We're barely a week into December and we're already getting holiday-theme fatigue. Find reprieve at opening night of Southern Lights, a country music romance from playwright Lee Brady and 3Girls Theatre Company. As with all things to do with Texas, there will be love gone wrong, betrayal, booze, and blues. // Tickets ($20-$45) are available at zspace.org/southernlights.
Saturday, December 8th
Holiday Market + Wine Tasting
When: 2pm to 5pm
Where: Rock Wall Wine Company, 2301 Monarch St., Suite 300 (Alameda), rockwallwines.com
Head over to Alameda for an afternoon of wine tasting—think 30-plus wines—and shopping from local vendors. There will be small bites from neighborhood eateries, a photo booth, cheese spread, and live music by Spill the Wine. // Tickets ($45) are available on eventbrite.com.
SantaCon
When: Noon to 6pm
Where: Kick off at Union Square with a meet-up and toy drive
Now is the time to make a real decision: Do you hole up and hide out for a solid Netflix binge, or do you break out your red and white for Santacon? Today hundreds of rogue (and most likely drunk) Santas will fill the streets and bars for the annual day of non-stop mischief and merrymaking. // Find more info at santacon.info.
Make Good Market
When: 10am to 5pm Saturday; 10am to 3pm Sunday
Where: Heath Ceramics, 2900 18th St. (Mission)
As if we needed an extra reason to visit Heath's Mission factory and shop, this two-day shopping and crafting event will bring together more than 30 local makers and designers to showcase their artistic process. Del Popolo pizza will be on-hand too if you get the munchies. // Event is free to attend, find more info on heathceramics.com.
Temescal Brewing Moves to Jack London Square
When: 1pm to 7pm
Where: 621 Fourth St. (Jack London Square), temescalbrewing.com
Temescal Brewing is kicking off life in its new Jack London Square digs with an opening party and launching a new beer, Temescal Pils. Get a once-in-a-lifetime peek at the production facility (it won't be open to the public) and enjoy brewery tours, wood-fired pizza, DJ beats, and pours of a few of their beers. // Tickets ($5) are available on eventbrite.com.
Sunday, December 9th
Holiday Brunch + Market
When: 11am to 2:30pm
Where: The Progress, 1525 Fillmore St. (NoPa), statebirdsf.com
The team behind The Progress and State Bird Provisions are hosting their fourth annual shopping and brunch bonanza with food and drink served market-style and wares from local artists and vendors (Color Factory creative director Leah Rosenberg will be in the house). This may be your only chance to eat at The Progress with no reservation.
2018 Dance-Along Nutcracker: Clara Potter and the Elder Baton
When: Two shows: 11am to 1pm, and 3 to 5pm
Where: Only in San Francisco can you dance along to the Nutcracker with a Harry Potter twist. Join Clara Potter for a flight of fancy at Fogwarts (yeah, you read that right) including "secret riddles, an evil school board, kazoos, a three-ish headed dog, and more music and dancing than you can shake a wand at." Performance by the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. // Tickets ($25-$50) are available at ybca.org.
Holiday Bazaar
When: 5 to 8pm
Where: Smuggler's Cove, 650 Gough St. (Hayes Valley), smugglerscovesf.com
Drink all the rum and then make questionable choices as you shop till you drop at Hayes Valley's beloved tiki bar for this annual bazaar of Smuggler's Cove merch—think hoodies, tees, mugs, books, barbecue aprons, and limited edition goods. There will be drinks specials too, of course.
