Hello Friends,
Yes, that is a photo of my Christmas tree. In grand Germanic tradition, we place candles on an evergreen, a pagan tradition that endures every year without need of the nearby fire extinguisher. (It’s all about strategic candle placement and well-designed candle holders.) Channukah overlaps with Christmas this year, a nice confluence of candlecentric traditions.
The calendar can get packed with events right about now. I’ve selected just a few that may spark a wish to cook or eat or share a hot beverage with your community. Solstice, Santa Lucia, Yule – whatever you celebrate, may the light and joy of the season guide you to a safe and happy new year.
Send thoughts on what you’re cooking, eating, doing, reading. Was it delicious? And don’t forget: I’ll be in your inbox once more in December. Once we hit January, it’s back to monthly.
What’s Hot:
Not all together and not all at the same time. These are just a few of the food and food-adjacent events that have caught my attention as we look towards the final weeks of 2024.
Walkin’ In a Winter Wonderland cocktail at The Vault Garden
Violetto’s Feast of the Seven Dishes… (Dec 17-25)
- Storione Affumicato con Caviale – house-smoked delta sturgeon and its caviar with cauliflower rillettes and blinis, paired with Charles Krug St. Helena Sauvignon Blanc.
- “Bollito Misto Moderno” – an exploration on the traditional dish featuring three cuts of slow-cooked beef and garnishes, paired with Larkmead, 21 Solari ’16 Fire Belle.
- Torta di Riso nello spirito del Panettone – a.k.a. Flavors of Panettone infused into a m Emilia-Romagna-style creamed rice tarte, paired with Buena Vista Muscat.
Make a Reservation at Violetto
Wayfare Tavern’s Winter Wonderland (Dec 22-30)
In San Francisco’s FiDi, Wayfare Tavern is transforming its Ken Fulk-designed penthouse, The Sequoia Room, into a sparkly speakeasy. The Sequoia Holiday Speakeasy is accessed only by a discreet elevator and word has it it will look like an enchanted forest, complete with festive cocktails and delicious bites.
Reservations are not required but are strongly recommended.
Make a Reservation at Wayfare Tavern
Cavallo Point’s Ultimate Cocktail Party (Dec 29)
Bring along friends and family to experience a hands-on cooking class where you’ll make cocktail party food like roasted pear, prosciutto and Gorgonzola galettes, seared Wagyu bites with chimichurri, and chocolate truffle tartlets with chocolate caviar and gold leaf.
Your $175 ticket includes no actual cocktails but there will be wine, beer or NA beverages to drink while you cook – and eat! – a holiday feast of small bites. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll make a new friends along the way.
Get a ticket to the Ultimate Cocktail Party
The Vault Garden Winter Wonderland (thru Dec 31)
Make a Reservation for The Vault Garden’s Winter Wonderland
Camino Alto’s Channukah Specials (thru Dec 31)
If you read last week’s newsletter, you know I am a big fan of yams and potatoes that come out of the kitchen at San Francisco’s Camino Alto. When I heard they are running Channukah specials, I had to share the news. From now until the end of December, look for:
- Wood-oven brisket pastrami tacos with a green mustard salsa
- Potato latkes fried in extra-virgin olive oil, served with housemade apple sauce
If you try these, please share the potato love by sending an email.
Make a Reservation at Camino Alto
All the Holiday Gift Guides
You probably know that curating gift guides doesn’t happen in a blink. I start researching items to include in August and fill in any gaps by late October. For the past four years, I’ve created four guides – cookbooks, food, booze (and booze-adjacent) and sparklers. Before the year is out, I’ll also share my Best Bites of 2024. I’m not quite ready for that one but sparklers will be out soon, hopefully next week.
For now, please enjoy my four Gift Guides:
13 Sparkling Wines to Welcome 2025 I’m not particular about price point – there are delicious finds at the supermarket for less than $20 (Martini & Rossi’s Asti DOCG) as well as more premium bottles (Dutcher Crossing’s classic Chardonnay sparkler, Posterity, $56). Before this round of tasting, I did not know about Italy’s Franciacorta, sparkling wine made in Méthode Champenoise style from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Berlucchi’s Extra Brut is the steal of the list.
Purchase links are embedded in each review.
About That Image
I’m. pretty sure I was welcomed into the Welter Family because I asked to light the tree on a holiday visit to Switzerland, not just on Christmas Eve but Christmas Day. A lighted tree is something I was brought up with, a tradition passed down from my parents and Stefan’s parents. A tradition we hope will live on with our children. Whatever traditions your winter holidays hold, may they be merry and bright!
Thanks for reading and be in touch.
Christina