Food and Wine

Notable South African red wines were the focus of a recent tasting. (Lyle Norton/Special to The Examiner)

South African pinotage pairs well with summer barbecue

Diverse topography, soils, climate in Western Cape produce distinctive nuances

 

Getting dressed up in fun clothes — SF Pride in 2019 is pictured — is a popular type of Pride self-expression. <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Why kink belongs at Pride, and why everything else does, too

Events, venues and festivals once LGBTQ-exclusive are now big melting pots

 

Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant wine director, likes to showcase promising young people in the industry. <ins>(Courtesy One Market)</ins>

Tonya Pitts leads tasting of diverse pinot noir

Young West Coast winemakers are creating distinctive blends

 

Bartender John Jeide makes Buena Visa Cafe’s signature Irish coffees, and also works as a waiter at the iconic spot. (Donna Domino/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Favorite SF watering holes pick up business

Back inside, Buena Vista, Hidive serve more customers, look forward to more tourists

  • May 13, 2021
Bartender John Jeide makes Buena Visa Cafe’s signature Irish coffees, and also works as a waiter at the iconic spot. (Donna Domino/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Beloved North Beach haunt Specs’ will open soon, and it will be nice to see bartender Laura Bellizzi there. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

I’m so excited the bars are back open

I’ve missed not just booze, but great stories and other stuff that happens

Beloved North Beach haunt Specs’ will open soon, and it will be nice to see bartender Laura Bellizzi there. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sauvignon blanc has appealing global presence

Varietal provides a refreshing, food-friendly alternative to chardonnay

A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Model Chase Oma, in a custom silver lace hood and illustrated jacket by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1002021795/silver-lace-face-mask-hood-face-mask-emf" target="_blank">Paul Gallo</a>, poses at the Lone Star Saloon.<ins> (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Fully-vaccinated date night

A movie in a socially-distanced theater proves satisfying

Model Chase Oma, in a custom silver lace hood and illustrated jacket by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1002021795/silver-lace-face-mask-hood-face-mask-emf" target="_blank">Paul Gallo</a>, poses at the Lone Star Saloon.<ins> (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)

Drew Nenow’s wines honor family and Paso Robles terroir

Vintner produces high-quality Rhone blends and varietals

Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)
“Gay Passover,” a fun Haggadah, includes some cocktail recipes. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>

A Passover journey toward something different

It was nice to see my family, and I look forward to reconnecting with friends

“Gay Passover,” a fun Haggadah, includes some cocktail recipes. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>
It would be good for The City’s businesses if a person taking a break in a parklet could legally have a drink. <ins>(S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>

I love drinking outdoors

Now’s the time to update California’s laws about alcohol consumption

It would be good for The City’s businesses if a person taking a break in a parklet could legally have a drink. <ins>(S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>
California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Opening up to California alternative white wines

Market offers more than chardonnay

California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Saul Sugarman is pictured with his students in Yongzhou, China, circa 2007. (Courtesy Saul Sugarman)

Stop Asian hate

Reach out to an Asian friend, or make one

Saul Sugarman is pictured with his students in Yongzhou, China, circa 2007. (Courtesy Saul Sugarman)
A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Insight into aging techniques of California chardonnay

Unique processes produce complex, rich wines

A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)

The plight of the barcades: How three gaming bars are surviving the pandemic

By Charles Lewis III Bay City News Foundation One year into the…

Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)
National School Breakfast Week can be observed from the safety of students’ homes. (Shutterstock)

SFUSD celebrates National School Breakfast Week

District families can get breakfasts free at Grab & Go sites on Tuesdays and Thursdays

National School Breakfast Week can be observed from the safety of students’ homes. (Shutterstock)
Christopher Gee bakes sourdough two days each week for satisfied customers who pre-order the bread.<ins> (Courtesy William Gee)</ins>

SF teens start successful pandemic-era businesses

Richmond kids sell homemade sourdough, wash cars

Christopher Gee bakes sourdough two days each week for satisfied customers who pre-order the bread.<ins> (Courtesy William Gee)</ins>
Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Warmer weather forecasts rosé days ahead

California is producing exclusively grown, high-quality pink wine

Notable pink wines are, from left, 2019 Bruliam Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2019 Balverne Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2020 Malene Rosé and 2019 La Bernarde Cotes de Provence Rosé.<ins> (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Blondie’s Bar owner Nikki DeWald says she thinks that when pandemic ends, “It is going to be a party like no one has seen before.” <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Meet your bar owner: Nicole ‘Nikki’ DeWald

Blondie’s proprietor recalls glory days in the ’90s

Blondie’s Bar owner Nikki DeWald says she thinks that when pandemic ends, “It is going to be a party like no one has seen before.” <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

Family farmed since 1909, Battuello Vineyards is creating new Napa Valley wines

Historic estate supports boutique St. Helena winery

Descended from an Italian immigrant, the Battuello family has been growing wine grapes in the Napa Valley for more than a century.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
Tequila is the main ingredient in Unrequited Lover. (Courtesy photo)

Love potions and loneliness

Valentine’s Day isn’t necessarily celebratory

Tequila is the main ingredient in Unrequited Lover. (Courtesy photo)