We ate, drank, and dished decadently this week on SFoodie. Here are some of the tastiest bits, in case you were out to lunch:
• We tip our cap to the re-opening of North Beach legend Washington Street Bar and Grill (1707 Powell) as well as the return of its colorful regulars.
• Driving to the South Bay just got more enticing with the opening of Psycho Donuts (2006 S. Winchester Blvd.), an art gallery/eatery where the fried bits are a little nuts.
• As the controversy over foie gras rages on, local restaurant Incanto (1550 Church) weighs in on the topic and also demonstrates its own personal protest against wastefulness with its Head to Tail dinners.
• We located filet mignon sushi in Pacific Heights at Tataki (2815 California) and were unexpectedly delighted with its meaty goodness.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (2499 San Bruno) in the Portola neighborhood has been greeting San Francisco residents with their first meal of the day for 30 years. It's the type of spot you might have no idea exists if you don't live nearby, but is worth a journey from other points in the city.
At Zaré at Fly Trap (606 Folsom), there are many reminiscences on growing up in Iran (since chef/owner Hoss Zaré and cocktail director Reza Esmaili both did). One especially addictive and dangerous one is the Minted Memory, made of Bombay gin, Pimm's No.1, minted vinegar syrup, and lemon. Minted vinegar is one of those ingredients that sounds strange but works well, cutting into the harshness of the gin in a pretty remarkable way. It's all as cool as the cucumber slice that floats in it, emiting a yummy fragrance and subtly flavoring the concoction.
(1590 Pacific): tasting of eight Scottish beers from BrewDog, $15.
Saturday, 3/14, 2-5 p.m., CAV (1666 Market): tasting with Axel Stieglmar of Juris (Burgenland, Austria).
Saturday, 3/14, noon-3 p.m., K&L (638 4th St): tasting of wines from "ultrasmall boutique producers."
Saturday, 3/14, 1-4 p.m., Wine Club (953 Harrison): tasting with Claire Forestier of Terres d'Aromes (Cote d'Or, Burgundy).
Saturday, 3/14, 2-5 p.m., Arlequin Wine Merchant (384 Hayes): Martine's Wines portfolio tasting with winemakers Rémy Gresser of Domaine Rémy Gresser (Alsace), Julien Brocard of Domaine Brocard (Chablis), Julie Gonet-Medeville of Respide-Medeville
(Graves), Xavier Gonet of Gonet-Medeville (Champagne), Sebastian Gay of
Domaine Michel Gay et Fils (Burgundy), and Arnuad Mortet of Denis
Mortet (Burgundy),
Saturday, 3/14, 2-5:30 p.m., SF Wine Trading Co. (250 Taraval): tasting of Burgundy wines, $10(1590 Pacific): Pinot Noir tasting with Jordan Mackay, author of Passion for Pinot: A Journey Through America's Pinot Noir Country,
featuring Sonoma Coast Vineyards, WillaKenzie Estate, Gainey
Vineyard, and Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard, $5 (reservations required)
