Single Guy's Planner

As I mentioned earlier this week, my Mom and sister are visiting me and they wrap up their visit this weekend. Unfortunately for me, there’s a ton of interesting food events this weekend, specifically Sunday. So since I’ll be playing tour guide, maybe some of you might check out these fun events and tell me about them!

Sept. 27, Sunday. “Rockridge Out and About.” This is my neighborhood’s annual street fair and every year it gets bigger and bigger. Booths are set up on College Avenue in Oakland for the stretch that runs from Clairemont to Manila (right by the Rockridge Public Library). Several area restaurants will be selling food items, and there will be fun for kids and informational booths from area businesses. There’s also a chef’s stage with cooking demos and book signings (and even the bartender at Wood Tavern will be mixing up drinks). And if it’s like last year, Oliveto may be roasting a whole pig again. Free admission and pay as you go food booths. For more information, go to www.rockridgeoutandabout.com.

Sept. 27, Sunday. “Coffee from Seed to Harvest.” I’m not a coffee drinker (although I love the aroma), but for those of you who are, the community non-profit 18 Reasons in the Mission has been running a series of discussions on how coffee gets from the plantation to your local coffee joint. In this second part, Barefoot Coffee Roasters will be featured. Cost is $20 for the discussion and tasting. Click here to purchase tickets.

Sept. 27, Sunday. “Feeling Sheepish: September Cheese + Wine Tasting” at Bar Bambino. This fun Mission restaurant has been hosting cheese and wine tastings on Sundays this summer, and this coming Sunday’s event will be the last in this series. Try some Italian reds and four sheep’s milk cheese for $35, from 3 to 5 p.m. Reserve your spot by emailing events@barbambino.com or call 415.701.VINO. Click here for more details.

And something to plan for in the coming weeks:

Oct. 6 & 13, Tuesdays. Pig Butchery 2. Everyone’s into chopping up a whole pig these days, or if you don’t want to do it you can just be a voyeur and watch a demo. 18 Reasons is presenting a two-part class on how to break down a whole pig and then cure it. (This is a demonstration class only, so please don’t bring your own butcher knife.) Cost is $50 for members and $60 for others, and when you buy a ticket you’re signing up for both sessions. Click here to go whole hog.