Restaurants

The TCHO factory on the Embarcadero. [Photo: bluehillranch/Flickr] THE EMBARCADERO—The Young Professionals group of the local chapter of the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation is throwing a special fundraiser next Friday, May 31, at TCHO. Attendees will be able to sample unlimited wine and chocolate pairings, take a tour of the TCHO facility, and nosh on cheese paired with unlimited beer. Tickets are $75, and all proceeds will benefit efforts for Parkinson's research; a scientist studying the disease will talk about the latest findings as well. [EaterWire] THE MISSION—Hot on the heels of Chris Cosentino's foray into fashion design comes Mission standby Bender's Bar, which has teamed up with local boutique Self Edge to sell a special Bender's T-shirt. It comes in two versions: regular Gildan cotton for the plebes for $25, or The Flat Head loopwheeled heavyweight cotton for $125. (We're sure it says absolutely nothing about the current state of SF that you can drop $125 on a dive bar-themed T-shirt.) They're throwing a launch party tonight from 7-11 pm for those who want to snag one; drink specials will be available as well. [EaterWire] OAKLAND—Upstart Oakland food company Chunky Pig, which makes bacon chocolate-chip cookies and bacon caramel corn, is currently in the midst of a Kickstarter to raise funds for a commercial production facility, and to help pad their coffers, they're also throwing an "Oaktown Pig Out" at Kitchener next Tuesday, with a whole pig roast, bacon mac and cheese, and their aforementioned treats, plus $3 beers. Pledge $35 to get in. More info here. [EaterWire] RUSSIAN HILL—In addition to their aforementioned Spaghetti Sundays, Capo's is offering two more special deals, one for pizza and one for drinks. The pizza deal is Thin Thursdays, on which diners who order any cracker-thin crust pizza get a free house salad to go with it. It's supposed to be a diet/lighter eating thing for summer, but can easily be torpedoed with the other deal: a Build Your Own Old Fashioned bar, available from 5-6 pm each Wednesday-Monday through August 1. For $6, drinkers can choose either Angels Envy or John E. Fitzgerald Larceny bourbon, and modify it with their preferred sweetener and garnish. Bartenders and brand reps will be on hand to discuss the whiskey and offer pairing suggestions. [EaterWire]

I know there aren’t many of you looking for non-alcoholic drinks to sip on when your friends go out for cocktails but this is a great NA drink featured at the Paradox Hotel (Solaire Poolside Bar) in Santa Cruz.  I am not exactly sure of the name of this drink but twice now I’ve just asked the bartender to make me a good NA drink and the photograph above shows off what they make! For your drinking friends, they do offer some local beers on draft (Santa Cruz Ale Works i.p.a. and amber ale) and wine too of course.  At the moment they only have Soju cocktails but they are inline for a liquor license beyond beer and wine.  We like munch on their Marcona almonds. You can order drinks and sit outside by their pool and sip away! Cocktail Bar Menu The Solaire does have a happy hour too: Solaire Happy Hour $5 Apps & Drinks Sunday – Thursday 4:00PM – 7:00PM Restaurant Hours- Open Daily Breakfast 7:00AM-11:30AM Lunch 11:30AM-5:00PM Dinner 5:00PM -10:00PM Happy Hour- 4:00PM- 7:00PM, SUN-THURS For reservations, please call (831) 600-4545. Linked Photos of the Pool

There a few weeks each year around mid-April to mid-May that I like to call the Great Fruit Drought. Citrus has peaked for the most part and we are awaiting the first stone fruit and cherries to come out of California. Thankfully I have made it through another drought and am starting to enjoy stone [...]The post What are Red Velvet Apricots? appeared first on Eat Like No One Else.

Image of Penner-Ash courtesy mrJasonWeaver via Flickr The calendar says that summer's coming soon, though the Portland skies — promising showers for the next two weeks straight, seriously just kill us now — might suggest otherwise. So obviously the solution is to drink your way into delusion, and thankfully, that same calendar also comes packed with the season's usual lineup of beer fests, wine tastings, and other assorted alcohol-fueled celebrations. Between summer's two big party weekends — Memorial Day and the Fourth of July — no fewer than nine boozy bashes will take place in the Portland metro area, hopefully allowing for a few outdoor occasions to soak up Vitamin-D (while your liver soaks up everything else). Whether you're celebrating a long weekend, need an accompaniment to an outdoor picnic, or just want to pour one out for Zoo Brew, join your fellow drinks at one of these early-summer events. Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country When: May 25 to 27 Where: Willamette Valley How Much: event prices vary More than 150 wineries throughout the Willamette Valley will throw open tasting room doors for the 23rd-annual "Weekend in the Wine Country" celebration, considered the official kick-off to tasting season and the valley's liveliest weekend of the year. Expect wineries from the Dundee Hills to Chehalem Mountain, the Eola-Amity Hills to McMinnville to compete for your tasting palate by offering special releases, vintage celebrations, and events featuring paired snacks and other booze-soaking edibles (think cheese. Lots of it). Plan a tasting route to discover events like wine-and-popcorn pairing (at Forest Grove's Montinore Estate), vineyard barbecues (at Salem's Redhawk Vineyard and Sherwood's Hawks View Cellars, among others), and tons of live music. Makers & Shakers When: June 6 Where: Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th Ave. How Much: $20 Toast warm weather the way urbanites in other cities do — by drinking on a rooftop — at Ecotrust's summer kick-off event Makers & Shakers, which takes over the building's rooftop terrace at twilight on Thursday, June 6. Five local distilleries (Clear Creek, New Deal, Big Bottom Whiskey, Stone Barn Brandyworks, and Vinn) will offer cocktail samples specifically paired with bites from five Portland catering companies. Wash it all down against a musical backdrop provided by the Brazillionaires, and know that your buzz helps benefit Ecotrust's ongoing community development programs. Portland Beer Week 2013 When: June 6 to 16 Where: various locations How Much: event prices vary Because this is Portland, designating a period of time "Beer Week" obviously results in a calendar that stretches a luxurious 11 days. This year's third-annual installment of Portland Beer Week features everything from pairing dinners to tap takeovers to events like the "Beer Games," which will see buzzed revelers competing against each other in a series of "bar games" that probably put trivia night to shame. The week gets underway with a June 6 kick-off party at NW's Lucky Lab and includes events like a beer-fueled StripCrawl, a beer-and-sandwich festival at Breakside Brewing, and a barrel-aged beer seminar. Start girding that liver now. Rye Beer Fest When: June 7 Where: EastBurn, 1800 E. Burnside How Much: tasting fees vary Bread and whiskey are pretty much pantry staples as far as we're concerned, but we'll admit that rye does magical things in other foodstuffs, as well. As part of Portland Beer Week, Taplister.com throws a fete dedicated solely to rye beer, or beers that substitute barley with rye in the malt. The second-annual festival dedicates its entire food and beverage menu to rye, featuring more than 19 rye beers (available by the pint and half-pint), rye cocktails, and bites that highlight the grain. Expect pours from Breakside, Boring Brewing, Base Camp, and Stone Brewing, among others. Portland Fruit Beer Festival When: June 8 and 9 Where: Burnside Brewing, NE Burnside a

[Krieger] SOHO — Paul Denamiel's French bistro Little Prince is now open for lunch, and brunch kicks off this Saturday. Check out the brunch menu below. [EaterWire] THE HAMPTONS — This year's Dan's Taste of Two Forks event will feature a culinary competition called GrillHampton, where New York chefs will battle Hamptons chefs. Geoffrey Zakarian is hosting. [Eater Hamptons] FOOD MEDIA — Gilt Taste is closing down after two years. An email went out to members today explaining that the products that were offered on Gilt Taste will now be offered on Gilt Home. The site stopped producing editorial content last fall. [Eater Hamptons] LP Brunch 05.23.13 by Eater NY

• Saturdays Surf NYC is partnering with La Colombe for a signature blend of iced coffee. The fusion of ingredients from Brazil, Ethiopia, and El Salvador will be available in the shops and online. [Grub Street] • After two years, Gilt Taste is closing. All products will now be sold through Gilt Home. [Eater] • SAVOR's American Craft Beer & Food Experience event is on June 14 and 15 in the Altman Building on West 18th Street, with food from San Francisco's the Monk's Kettle. Purchase tickets here. [Grub Street] • Murray's Cheese Bar is now serving lunch on Thursdays and Fridays. A flight of cheese is a fantastic mid-afternoon pick-me-up. [Grub Street] • Rosemary’s is debuting juices during breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch. The fresh-pressed beverages include carrot, apple and ginger, and green juice. [Grub Street] • It wouldn't be Memorial Day weekend without Rippers. The Rockaway Beach hot spot will open this Saturday. Hooray! [Grub Street] • Recently opened Soho spot Little Prince is adding lunch and brunch menus, with items like brioche pain perdu soaked in vanilla crème with berry compote and ricotta, and an exclusive "Nutella-esque" spread, created with Jacques Torres. [Grub Street] Filed Under: leftovers, food news, gilt taste, little prince, murray's cheese bar, new york, restaurants, rippers, rosemary's, saturdays surf nyc

Troya has a new chef at its Fillmore location: Kevin Davidson, who was previously a chef de cuisine at Foreign Cinema and more recently spent some time traveling. Previous chef Philip Busacco left amicably; he's taking time off to pursue an interest in photography. The Clement location's chef remains the same. [Tablehopper]

Welcome to Curbed Cuts, where Curbed SF editor Sally Kuchar shares the most important real estate stories of the week. Mark di Suvero's "Old Buddy (For Rosko)" at its new home on Crissy Field. [Photo via SFMOMA] CRISSY FIELD— This week, an outdoor exhibition of eight large sculptures by artist Mark di Suvero officially began its year-long residency on Crissy Field. The giant orange, steels structures span up to 50 feet high and 40 feet wide. As with all change (even temporary), there's a small group of neighbors that think the sculptures are a monstrosity, and have asked that the "eye-sores" be taken down. TENDERLOIN— The Lofts at Seven in the Tenderloin are ready for their close-up. What used to be home to KGO-TV Channel 7's West Coast broadcasting facilities is now gearing up to be 88 loft and studio rentals. BAY BRIDGE— Here's your first look at the almost completed east span of the Bay Bridge. Photos galore! INNER RICMHOND— Looking to buy in the very lovely Inner Richmond? We've rounded up the five least expensive properties currently for sale in the neighborhood. MISSION DOLORES— The corner of 15th and Dolores streets is now home to newly built condos. There's 13 total "boutique residences," and will likely be in the $1,000 per square foot price range. SOMA— Located under and adjacent to parts of the Central Freeway near Otis, Stevenson, and Valencia streets, a new 17,000 sq. ft. skate park and a 28,000 sq. ft. dog park and parking area have been approved. SAN FRANCISCO— The top three residential properties sales for the past seven days include a $2.995M penthouse in Russian Hill, a $3.2M 5-bedroom single-family home in Lower Pac Heights, and a $3.8M 5-bed single-family home in Presidio Heights. NOB HILL— The Marlow is the latest development to come to Nob Hill. It's located at 1800 Van Ness, and is a 98-unit mixed-use building with 4,900 square feet of commercial space. We've got renderings of the exterior and interior. The units are pricey, but that didn't stop the 18 pre-released units selling out completely in just eight days.

Wonder what gave it away? Derek Jeter apparently tried to pass himself off as a dude named Philip while ordering coffee at Starbucks in Greenwich Village yesterday, but is that so wrong? Chances are you don't give your real name at Starbucks, because no one does. The practice of baristas scrawling names on customers' cups has been around in some markets for a while and is now a more or less universal thing that only seems to have engendered a vast proliferation of fake coffee-customer names. There are fake Starbucks names Tumblrs and alter ego blogs that go to show that no one likes giving their real name at the counter (except for Jessica Alba, ever the iconoclast). So, celebrities, as the adage goes, are just like us, and the proof is straight ahead, ranked from most to least credible. The Celebrity: Jessica Alba Starbucks Name: "Jessica" Extra Shot: Absolutely credible. The Celebrity: Lawrence O’Donnell Starbucks Name: "Jim" Extra Shot: The MSNBC host views Starbucks as a safe haven from the general unhappiness his name normally makes him feel. "Everywhere else," he says, "I endure life with a first name that I don’t really like because not using my first name just seems too phony to me." Verdict: Credible and sad. The Celebrity: Jonathan Knight Starbucks Name: "Michael" Extra Shot: Former N.K.O.T.B. heartthrob Knight routinely plays the Starbucks name game and could totally pass for a Michael. Fran, however, maybe not so much. The Celebrity: Jemele Hill Starbucks Name: "Barbara" Extra Shot:"I give a fake name at Starbucks," the ESPN columnist explains. "Always try to pick something that couldn't possibly sound like it's my name. Today I was Barbara." Hill clearly does not think she could be a Barbara, so we're going with that. The Celebrity: Ben Affleck Starbucks Name: "Spencer" Extra Shot: Coming up with fake Starbucks names are work, you know, just like marriage is work. But it's worth it! The Celebrity: Rainn Wilson Starbucks Name: "Bob" Extra Shot: No, not at all. More like long shot. (Though we could see Wilson totally passing for "Bob" at an airport Starbucks.) The Celebrity: Derek Jeter Starbucks Name: "Philip" Extra Shot: Points for attempting the rarer, one L version of Philip, but ultimately no one was fooled. The Celebrity: Amanda Bynes Starbucks Name: "Nadia" Extra Shot: The perennial Drake enthusiast has a real-life assistant named Nadia, yet Bynes's fake Starbucks name still manages to be the least credible of the bunch. Derek Jeter uses phony name 'Philip' at Greenwich Village Starbucks [NYP] Read more posts by Hugh MerwinFiled Under: nom de venti, amanda bynes, ben affleck, derek jeter, jemele hill, jonathan knight

[Daniel Krieger] Mighty Quinn's is arguably the most successful restaurant to come of the great Manhattan/Brooklyn/Queens barbecue boom of late 2012/early 2013. And now, the restaurant is expanding from the East Village to Battery Park City's Brookfield Place, which is a revamp of the World Financial Center space. This complex will also soon be home to Num Pang, Dos Toros, Dig Inn, Sprinkles, and Umami Burger. Now, the Goldman boys and BPC dwellers will get to pick between Blue Smoke and Mighty Quinn's, which are both great for different reasons. The new Mighty Quinn's should open in early 2014. · Mighty Quinn's Will be Joining the Dining Area at Brookfield Place [PRN via Grub Street] · All Coverage of Mighty Quinn's [~EN~]