If you are looking for an amazing time with incredible Cabernets from California coast, look no…read morefurther. I'm so happy that we are out of the covid funk and my favorite wine festival Is back! I've lived in San Francisco for over 13 years and have never been to an event as lovey as Cabfest. I was able to try cabs from Napa, Sonoma, and Paso, all in one place. Some bottles I could afford to buy and others bottles I was able to try that I would never be able to try because of such a high price point. The dinners and party the night before is not to be missed. I love meeting fellow Cab enthusiasts and having the opportunity to meet some of the wine makers. I honestly can't recommend a better event in San Francisco.

********************* 1498 **********************…read more CabFest Napa Valley, the premier luxury lifestyle event that celebrates Cabernet Sauvignon and benefits the arts, is set to return to the Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater in Yountville, California, March 4 - 6, 2016. CabFest Napa Valley, a world-class, three-day arts benefit event, will again feature hundreds of wineries showcasing tastes of Napa's flagship wine varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, an exclusive selection of wines curated by The Wine Bible author Karen MacNeil, vibrant grand wine tastings, intimate boutique wine tastings, innovative cuisine, interactive and informative breakout sessions and live entertainment including a performance by recording artist Mat Kearney, as well as VIP and limited-access experiences and after parties. CabFest Napa Valley is a luxury lifestyle celebration of wine, food and entertainment, created to attract a wide audience to the Napa Valley during the shoulder season and simultaneously benefit local arts education. The inaugural CabFest Napa Valley attracted more than 2,000 patrons, with 70% of the attendees traveling from outside the area (17 states and more than three countries). We had the VIP tickets package for the entire 3 days weekend. We had so much fun with learning a lot about Cabernet Sauvignon, the King of grapes in Napa Valley. We got to meet and talk to so many winemakers and proprietors, as well as chefs. A preview of just some of the 2016 CabFest Napa Valley Event Mat KearneySchedule includes: - CabFest Napa Valley Kickoff Concert with headliner, recording artist Mat Kearney, followed by the highly-popular and exclusive "Cigars and Guitars" after party for VIP pass holders. - Daily Grand Karen MacNeilTastings and Boutique Tastings featuring hundreds of wines, as well as the CabFest Symposium with wine world stars such as wine author Karen MacNeil, winemakers, sommeliers and chefs. - The release of the new hardcover book the CabFest Napa Valley - Premium Guide to Cabernet Sauvignon, First Edition. A perfect book for the coffee table, every guest attended the grand tasting got to take home 1. - VIP closing party was flowing with Lokoya wines and food from Ad-Hoc chef Thomas Keller restaurant. The entire event was at the Napa Valley Performing Art Center Lincoln Theater in Yountville, right next to Domaine Chandon, all benefits go toward the performing arts for youth in Napa Valley. Another great cause food and wine festival that is totally worth to check in out next year if you are Cabernet Sauvignon lover. Even all the senior volunteers here was so nice and helpful. We enjoyed everything so much, even those the storm was there and it was raining so hard 3 days straight. This is by far the most value food and wine festivals I have attended the last 5 years. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Art Beat Salon is a new monthly business networking event that brings together arts and business…read moreprofessionals every First Thursday of the month. The kick-off event is Thursday April 5. May's Art Beat Salon will be held in conjunction with the kick-off for ArtsFest 2007 on May 3. I'm helping to produce this event, so take my five-stars for what it is. I hope other people will go tonight and review! :-) The April Art Beat Salon is at Gallery One in Embarcadero One from 6 PM to 9 PM tonight! Gallery One: http://www.yelp.com/biz/v3Og8vfGrws0NpblldGwXw This is the official write-up: "Launching this Thursday, the Art Beat Salon will provide an exciting new First Thursday alternative, in the downtown Financial District, where members of the arts and business communities can network against the backdrop of art, music, performance, visual art and creative expression. Featuring the acid jazz of "Resin", singer Nkechi, dancer Samantha Franklin and poet Clive Matson. First Thursdays will never be the same!"

5/18/08 Update So a…read morefriend went to the Las Vegas Premier Tasting and says that one is even better than the one in San Francisco. All vendors can only bring one wine from their line, so everyone brought their best. There was also a nice spread of food, with an impressive line-up of vineyards. He also talked to a couple from New York who had gone to the TOTT in NYC and said that though the Vegas one was good, nothing beats the NY version. So if you can make it out there, that one seems to be the one to go to. Now back to the original review: Imagine covering a load of wineries from Napa, Sonoma and all over the world by simply navigating four floors of the War Memorial Opera House. THAT is exactly what the annual Toast of the Town event is all about. There are two tastings. The first consists of the reserve tasting which runs from 5 pm to 7 pm. The second round is the general tasting from 7 pm to 10 pm. My friends and I are wine freaks, so of course we splurged and plunked down $200 per ticket for the reserve tasting. That'll get you two extra hours of sheer bliss as vendors pour their best, followed by entry into the general tasting (included in the price of our ticket, but $100 on its own). I know what you're thinking...$200 is a lot to pay to sample wine. But we're talking reserves here; wineries often charge about $25 for reserves in the tasting rooms. Here you can sample select reserves from many producers. On top of that, you get an electronic wine buyers guide that's exclusive to the reserve ticket holder's goodie bag. And you'd think after four hours of tasting, we'd all be plastered. But throughout the event from 5 to 10 pm, there were plenty of restaurants offering tasty bites like TWO's foie gras or Ana Mandara's tuna tartare. Even Plumpjack was there with their seafood cones. To-Die-For! But eat early, because, as can be expected, the food runs out towards the last hour of the evening. One of the highlights for me was having the opportunity to try wines from other countries that I wouldn't normally have the chance to taste without buying the bottle. It was really interesting to experience how wines differ from one region of the world to another, and to learn about the varietals unique to each country. The vendors were all very friendly and carried on about their product as they would behind the bar at their respective wineries. And they definitely enjoyed watching the crowd get progressively happier as the night wore on. It's like one big party with a decidedly mature crowd...one filled with foodies and wine fanatics like us. But it was never overcrowded, which was nice, because I never felt like I had to fight a bunch of people to get a pour. As far as I could see, there wasn't much advertising done for the event and it still sold out. Identical events are held in New York and other major cities, and there's also a reserve tasting event being held in Las Vegas this year on May 3 at the Venetian. Tickets are available via the website at www.winespectator.com.

SL Live Arts at Cyprian's used to be the Noe Valley Music Series. This nonprofit has been active…read morein the city for many years bringing an excellent array of live music performances to comfortable sit-down listening venues. The series used to be hosted at the Noe Valley Ministry on Sanchez until the church began an extensive remodeling project. The Series is now at St. Cyprian's church on Turk St, and is renamed as SF Live Arts. It's easy to find parking nearby and the church offers good seating (ok, a little bench-butt because of the wood pews) and excellent acoustics. The Series offers beer and wine (yes drink a beer sitting in church) and snacks in addition to recorded offerings from the musical acts. We just caught a three-act show called a Real Devine Folk Blues Revival. We were treated to a really well-researched and performed study of all things Ragtime by the Ragtime Skedaddlers (mandolin, banjolin, guitar), then an amazingly great show by LA-based Dustbowl Revival... if you like energetic music that blends modern lyrical sense with nostalgic composition, melody and rhythm you should look this band up! Wow!!! Local group Devine's Jug Band closed the show. We've seen Devine before in a smaller venue and while they were entertaining, it just wasn't one of those "ON" performances. Mixups and stopped songs didn't add to the band's sometimes-endearing quirkiness. But... if you've never seen a jug band, you probably want to check them out around town. SF Live Arts is a gift to the City and if you like folk, roots, gospel and western/rockabilly styles you owe it to yourself to support them.

Great venue for music! The church has beautiful wooden arches and stained glass throughout,…read more beautiful acoustics and a cozy feel. Parking is abundant and where else can you eat cookies and drink wine and beer while lounging in a pew? Just remember to bring a pillow for your back... Anyway, kudos to the organizer for consistently scheduling fine musicians offering innovative and ecclectic tunes. My favorite was dirt band revival, a 10-piece group with more than a few irreverant songs spotlighting bad behavior. Perfect for church! Devine's jug band is a favorite at amnesia, but you can sit and really listen to them here. I'm a fan of drinking and music, this music series is too, and combines both with comfortable seating and easy parking.

I had never been out to Hunter's Point but I found out about Open Studios at Shipyard. I had never…read morebeen to an open studios event but it's just like a gallery showing. Studios are a dream to keep because it takes rent! haha artists that pay rent for studios.. So this year I walked away with an art piece from the most generous artist Brian Moore. I walked up to the wall and said "I want to touch it." He handed me the piece and told me to pay whatever I want by making a donation to Art Clubhouse. He holds an art class for kids every weekend. I walked away with my art piece which was gummy worms with resin. I feel like artists and local artists need to get real about selling and sharing art. Yes you pay for the art supplies which might just be canvas and paint. I believe that artists are taking an old-fashioned practice of overpricing artwork that isn't worth as much as they say. And I studied art history. The artist Brian Moore let me make my own price and went by an honor code to make a donation to his non-profit classes. Artists should change their perspective about sharing, collecting, and connecting over their art. Make friends, share art, be creative, be inspired, and make the world a better place how? Follow that artist..I actually walked away with artwork!

5/1/22 visit for spring 2022 open studios: easy parking, the five-buildings worth of studios,…read moreavailability to talk to the artists & learn about their creative process, accessible guidebook directing me where to go.

I *LOVE* Dine@! David Elias, the chef, is amazing. He picks fresh, local produce and meat, very…read morereasonably priced, and the events are always a ton of fun--how I wish every dining experience could be. The most recent event, at Casa Vino, was only $40/person for food (including tax on that), and we had multiple courses of amazing food. Everything was prepared perfectly, the menu was interesting and inspired, and there was clearly a harmony to the ingredients and series of dishes. I sat at a "family style" table so that we all got to try everything on the menu--HIGHLY recommend this. Depending on where the event is located, diners either supply their own wine or take advantage of the wine list at the location. I've experienced both and LOVE both. You meet new and interesting people, get to enjoy amazing food, and try new and fabulous wines. It really is an ideal dining event.

This is to hype the new place, to which I have not yet gone, but which is nearby and under the same…read moremanagement and will not, by any stretch of the imagination, disappoint. I'm certain. Progress took the old wonderful Varnish out. Squooshed it like a beautiful bug under its nailed boot. I bought my first real art here on an intoxicating evening many moons ago. I get excited easily, you see. Irrespective the amazingness of the new place, I'll miss the alley. That this lane has to be leveled to make way for the new Transbay has me of two minds. This is a little piece of older SF that was worth saving. Surely it could have been incorporated into the design. I'd hope for better from this city. But maybe remnant character has no place in the fabric of San Francisco tomorrow. That's too bad. That doesn't really make me want to stick around to see what it's going to look like. Varnish hosts a cross-section of artists and their work in genres that maybe you won't see so consistently elsewhere. They're run by a collection of caring and welcoming people, now over a couple of blocks on Market. I'm going to make a day of it there very soon. Until then, this 5-star steer for you. Go. You'll like it a lot.

After a looonnng day of meetings nothing beats a glass of cava and a cheese plate. Varnish to the…read morerescue!! I immediately felt relaxed after just a few sips of cava-.gotta love happy hour. I was so excited about the delicious cheese plate (the gouda was especially uhmazing) that I didn't even get to check out the art that has found a home in this gallery like bar. My loss cause it looked like they had some cool stuff here. Hard alcohol lovers will be disappointed to hear that Varnish serves only beer and wine, but they'll perk right back up after a glass of that cava.

A very eclectic and fun tasting!…read more Hendrick's Gin did an awesome job with this tasting. Instead of a stuffy, snobby, and ultimately cheesy event they went for a wacky, English carnival themed extravaganza at the cool location of the Old Mint. Small groups were pushed along a self-paced tour through different rooms with cool decor and characters. Some highlights included hands popping out of picture frames giving random handshakes or maybe handing out swag and a modern song medley accordion singer that covered everything from Ice Ice Baby to Barbie Girl. The British accents weren't always perfect, but they added to the charm. In addition to a Gin Tonic, you could get two additional cocktails. Did I mention the event was free? The cocktails were all surprisingly good. I'll definitely try to mix a Cucumber Southside soon. If you didn't get a chance to sign up this time definitely stay on the lookout for future events!

I love it! All of it!…read more The decor, the drinks, the food, people working at the event, and the concept itself. I really liked that the event gave each person was given ample time to walk around, enjoy the eccentricities, and of course the gin. There were 4 main rooms. The first room is the welcome room where we were given our first tasting of gin, and 2 tokens which can be redeemed for 2 more drinks of choosing. The next three rooms each featured its of own drink of choice and fun characters. There were also small bites (fried chicken, mushrooms) being served in each room. I highly recommend this event overall. I've never had Hendrick's before so not only was it was fun to try their drinks, it was a really fun event and experience. I had a great time with my friends and the people there were charming. Easy 5 stars!