One of the best things about the Bay Area is that there is always something to do. Wine tastings, cocktail competitions, gallery exhibits, and philanthropic events—you could literally attend a different function each night. Not to mention the new restaurants, bars, and boutiques that open on a weekly basis that are worth visiting. While we’re huge fans of a quiet night in, if you’re not going out and enjoying SF at least a couple of evenings per week, you’re missing out. To inspire you to take advantage of all this beautiful city has to offer, we’re listing out this month’s haute happenings. Here are the parties, dinners, and events that are on our July agenda.
The 2016 U.S. Women’s Open is going on right now through Sunday, July 10th, at the Rosewood CordeValle. This is the first time that the historic female golf tournament is taking place in the Bay Area. It’s an exciting time for golf lovers because this year is the first year that golf is being played at the Olympics. This weekend’s tournament is one of the last opportunities for women players to qualify for August’s games.The secluded golf resort is nestled at the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Head there this weekend to catch the final 18 holes.
Sushi aficionados should plan on heading to Jackson Square’s Roka Akor this Saturday, July 9. The restaurant is celebrating its three-year anniversary with a party from 5:30 pm to midnight. The downstairs bar will have $3 drink specials, while upstairs at the restaurant there will be plenty of sushi rolls and delicious items from the traditional Japanese robata grill. Think wagyu filets with chili ginger sauce and crispy Brussels sprouts with mustard and bonito flakes. At 8 p.m, things will kick into high gear when King Size Slap (DJ’s Carlos Tino and Frankie Jr.) take over the turntables. Dancing shoes are a must.
Learn more about Spain’s basque countryside at a dinner at Octavia on Tuesday, July 12. Chef Melissa Perello is preparing a four-course prix fixe menu inspired by The Basque Book and its author, chef Alexandra Raij. Raij and her chef-partner Eder Montego run three popular New York City’s restaurants, Txikito, La Vara, and El Quinto Pino. The duo will be at Octivia the night of the dinner and everyone in attendance will get a copy of the book as well as the chance to chat with the acclaimed chefs. The Basque Book takes readers on a tour of the Spanish countryside, revealing the iconic ingredients, traditional dishes, and cooking techniques that define the region’s cuisine. Expect a scrumptious menu of farmhouse cheeses, unique breeds of lamb and cattle, and the most pristine seafood.
Craving chocolate? Recchiuti Confections is launching a new nine-piece chocolate collection, Fun.Art.Yum, at their Ferry Building shop on Saturday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Master chocolate maker Michael Recchiuti and artist Laron Bickerstaff will be at the boutique to discuss their collaboration. Bickerstaff is with Creativity Explored a local nonprofit that supports artists with developmental disabilities by selling their art in studios and galleries around the world. The burnt truffle caramel chocolates feature the American Sign Language symbols for the words fun, art, and yum.
Want to celebrate France’s independence day? Join restauranteur Franck LeClerc at one of his lovely French eateries, Café Claude, Gitane, or Gaspar Brasserie. “La Fête de la Bastille is a French tradition and one we honor at our restaurants here in San Francisco,” Franck LeClerc told Haute Living in an email. “I wanted to offer a variety of options for people wanting to join in the celebrations, from Champagne and oysters at Gaspar to cocktails at Gitane to a quintessentially French duo of French onion soup and a croque monsieur at Café Claude.” LeClerc isn’t throwing just one night of events, he’s honoring Bastille Day with seven days of celebrations beginning Sunday, July 10 and extending through Saturday, July 16. Live musicians will perform nightly at Café Claude, new cocktails will be poured at Gitane, and a three-course menu with smoked trout rillete, braised leg of lamb, and crème brûlée will be served at Gaspar Brasserie.
Robert Mondavi Winery is turning 50 on Saturday, July 16. To commemorate the occasion, the famed Napa Valley wine house is throwing an anniversary party, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The affair is free, but it’s expected to be crowded, so reserve your spot today. There will be winery tours of the To Kalon Cellar and barrel room, cooking demonstrations by local chefs Cindy Pawlcyn, Bob Hurley, Victor Scargle, and Giovanni Guerrera, seminars by wine educators, horse-and-buggy rides, a painting demonstration by Channing Rudd, and musical performances by Ballet Folklorico el Valle St. Helena, River School World Percussion, Shelby Lanterman, and Full Chizel. Of course, there will also be plenty of flowing Robert Mondavi wine.
Wanderlust Squaw Valley is the largest yoga-lifestyle event in the world. The four-day festival, which features yoga, meditation, music, nature, and camaraderie in a stunning Sierra Nevada setting, takes place in Tahoe Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 17. Some happenings include hikes with musical accompaniment, stand up paddle boarding yoga classes, and mediation seminars lead by renowned gurus like Noah Levine, Sianna Sherman, Julie Rader Wellan, and Shakti Sunfire. There are also mountain top pool parties at Squaw Valley’s High Camp Pool and Hot Tub, talks with today’s thought leaders such as Jeffrey Hollender, the CEO of Seventh Generation, and musical entertainment from Stephen Marley, Dustin Thomas, and DJ Drez.
If you’re looking to relax closer to home, book a room at the Solage Calistoga Sunday, July 17 to Thursday, July 21. The resort is hosting a Wellness Week where educated professionals will teach guests how to lead healthier lives. Fitness and wellness manager Rudys Santana will lead daily workout sessions, Master botanist Nick James is discussing the benefits of aromatherapy and tea, and Dr. Tim Carl is talking mindfulness and floating meditation. “Wellness Week offers our guests the opportunity to explore a variety of ways in which to enhance their own personal level of wellbeing amongst an intimate group of like-minded people,” Helen Brown, Solage’s spa director explained in an email. “The longstanding reputation of Solage as a provider of innovative yet mindfully crafted therapeutic experiences, as well as the expertise of the individual session leaders, enables our guests to attain a greater peace of mind and state of deep relaxation during their stay.”
The J-Pop Summit, the world’s biggest Japanese pop culture event is taking place Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24th at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion. The latest Japanese fashion, film, art, games, anieme, food, and music will be on display at the summit. Ramen, sake, green tea, and Sapporo beer are a few of the things you can taste at this Japanese extravaganza. Chefs will perform demos, tech innovators will debut new products, and artists will discuss their cutting-edge pieces.
