Single Guy's Planner

I promised to give you all a heads up about food events that I’m planning to show up at, so here’s my new feature, Single Guy Planner. I’ll list upcoming events I’m planning to attend, and a few others that I wish I could attend but can’t because I’m only one man. (When I work out the cloning process, I’ll get back to you.) So here’s what I found interesting for the next couple of weeks:

March 15 (Sunday)—There are two events that I’m thinking of going to. First up is “Delicious,” a new gallery exhibit with art inspired by food. Sounds different huh? The gallery, STUDIO, will be hosting an opening reception from 2 to 6 p.m. at 1815 Polk St. (between Washington and Jackson) in San Francisco.

Or I’m wondering whether I should make the trek out to the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood to check out the latest Hog Island Oyster Day at Piccino café and pizzeria. This event was rained out last month, but the weather should be beautiful this weekend for some sidewalk oyster shucking by the Hog Island people partnered up with thin crusted pizzas from Piccino. I read about these events from Foodhoe’s Foraging so I’ve been dying to check it out. Event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at Piccino, 801 22nd St., San Francisco. PH: 415.824.4224

And here are some future food events that conflict with my schedule so I won’t be able to go, but that doesn’t mean you guys shouldn’t check them out!

March 18 (Wednesday)—Thentic.com Tasting at Axis Café. Thentic.com is a new Web site that’s scheduled to launch later this year, focused on teaching people about artisan food and who makes them. They’re doing a tasting with various local producers such as Frog Hollow Farms, Prather Ranch, Cheese Plus and Rustic Bakery. Tickets are on sale for $25. (The space is small so you should sign up early if interested.) These are the types of small, intimate and affordable food events that I like to check out because you can talk to the producers without a mad rush of people. Click here to purchase tickets.

March 21 (Saturday)—Top Chef alert! Absinthe’s Jamie Lauren from Top Chef Season 5 will be doing the weekly cooking demonstration at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Saturday farmers’ market. The demo begins at 11 a.m. on the north end of the Ferry Building outdoor area facing the street.

And if you can’t get enough of Jamie, you might consider dining on her Top Scallop-inspired menu at Absinthe from March 18 to 20. (Fellow cheftestant Fabio made the famous comment about the show not being “Top Scallop” after Jamie made yet another scallop dish during a challenge.) You can check out Jamie’s scallop menu here.

March 26 (Thursday)—Toast of the Town. Wine Enthusiast Magazine is the sponsor of this huge wine tasting (more than 500 wines offered) at the San Francisco Opera House. Along with the various wine tables, there will be little bites from some of the Bay Area’s top restaurants, including Chez Papa Resto, Postrio, Go Fish, Slanted Door, The Girl and The Fig, Zinnia, Trattoria Corso and Mustards Grill. The Grand Tasting runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and cost a pretty penny at $95 per ticket (that’s actually the real reason why I passed). If you want to beat the crowd, you can buy a VIP ticket for $175 and you’ll get in earlier at 5 p.m. For more information and tickets, click here.