The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon takes place tomorrow, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Herbst Pavilion (99 Marina Blvd.). In its third year, the celebration of cacao hosted by online/on-demand Bay Area food channel TasteTV has graduated from Fort Mason's relatively small conference room to its considerably larger and more grand hall, which will host more than 50 chocolatiers (many of them local) and should be a positive change from the elbow-to-elbow crowded feel of the first two events. Admission is $20, which includes a generous amount of sampling (until you can't take it anymore, basically) as well as a great opportunity for buying unique confections as gifts.
The Chinese comfort food at Heaven's Dog (1148 Mission) has been praised quite a bit, but the cocktails are just as comforting. The Bumble Bee blends Appleton's V/X rum with lime and honey and is frothed up with egg white and gorgeously swirled with aromatic Angostura bitters. Despite the name, there's no sting here.
tasting of Australian wines from Vinacious and Hay Shed Hill, $10
Saturday, 3/14, 2-5:30pm, SF Wine Trading Co. (250 Taraval): tasting of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir wines, $10
Saturday, 3/21, 6pm, The Presidio Log Cabin (1299 Storey Av): Rhone Rangers winemaker reception, tasting of library wines, and three-course dinner catered by The Girl & the Fig, tickets $125
Sunday, 3/22, 2-5pm, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason: Twelfth Annual Rhone Rangers Grand Tasting includes more than 125 wineries pouring nearly 1,000 Rhone-style wines, 35+ food booths, and a silent auction, tickets $65
Sunday, 3/22, 2-6pm, Terroir (1116 Folsom): art & trunk show with jewelry, art, photography, hats, toys and more by 11 local designers
Sunday, 3/22, 3-5pm, Bar Bambino (2931 16th): cheese and wine tasting, $45
