It may be an unusually frigid January, but San Franciscans know the best way to fight off the chill is with great food and tasty cocktails. Lucky for us, the 12th annual “Dine About Town San Francisco” kicks off this week and continues through the end of the month. To celebrate the arrival of this beloved yearly event that lets average Joes sample some of the city’s finest dining at discounted prices, the San Francisco Travel Association threw a fabulous launch party.
Never mind the temperature outside. Inside the City View at Metreon, it was hot, hot, hot! Blue and purple projectors illuminated the walls as a DJ played tracks by popular indie bands. Plenty of bottles were corked (and emptied) and drinks were shaken, stirred, and most importantly, poured liberally all evening. And against the sparkling backdrop of the San Francisco nighttime cityscape, throngs of well-dressed foodies crowded around tables, munching on bites from dozens of the city’s beloved restaurants.
There was silky uni flan from Nombe, adorned with radishes, shiso, and edible flowers; fresh tuna tartar from Momo’s served upon a crunchy wanton chip; rich and velvety salmon rillettes from Garcon!; a hearty barbequed duck salad from Tommy Toy's Cuisine Chinoise; and a Tomato Tarte Tatin Tiramisu from Bisou that dazzled—each layer melting in your mouth—first the sweet and slightly tart plum confit, then the creamy mascarpone, then the peppery arugula and parmesan cheese. And those were just the first few bites!
Sure, the array of delicious treats and libations was almost dizzying—that’s an obvious perk of a launch party for food industry insiders and the San Franciscans who love them. But there’s also the added bonus of getting together with others who love great food as much as you do, the camaraderie of a roomful of people who all share a passion for flavor. And where else can you get the chance to chat up the chef, general manager, or owner of your favorite restaurant while supporting a great charity at the same time? (All proceeds from the launch party go to Meals on Wheels.) Suffice it to say, if you missed the party this time around you shouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
The best way to sample these treats for yourself is to visit a participating restaurant during Dine About Town San Francisco. Actually, since more than a hundred San Francisco restaurants are participating, you may want to visit a few. The promotion started Tuesday, January 15 and lasts until the end of the month. Participating restaurants are offering a two or three-course lunch menu for $18.95, and/or three-course dinner menus for $36.95. The complete list of restaurants for “Dine About Town San Francisco” is available at www.dineabouttown.com, a website of the San Francisco Travel Association. Reservations are encouraged, and can be made directly on the website.
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