Taste San Francisco’s Best at Eat Drink SF

Fiona Chandra

Before summer ends, San Francisco invites Bay Area foodies for another food and wine-filled weekend at Eat Drink SF. Taking place from Aug. 24-27, there will be five separate events where food lovers can taste their way through the area’s best restaurants under one roof.

The weekend kicks off with Taco Knockdown on Friday evening. The Friday Taco Knockdown is an Eat Drink SF launch party tradition, and this year the event moves to a bigger location at The Pearl. Last year’s People’s Choice winner, Palm House, will be defending their title against taco creations from Pizzeria Delfina, Salt & Straw, ROOH, Crystal Jade, and ‘āina while bartenders compete in the Milagro Tequila Margarita Mix-Off. Tickets to Taco Knockdown are $79 per person.

There are four separate Grand Tasting events spread out over Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, and a Sunday afternoon session. The tastings will be held on the San Francisco Bay’s waterfront at Fort Mason Center and feature more than 35 Bay Area restaurants and over 70 different beers, wine and cocktails. The Backyard Bites area will be equipped with lawn games and chefs, with bartenders holding demos on the main stage.

Each Grand Tasting session will feature a different lineup of restaurants, but the list of participating restaurants in 2017 includes Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Alexander’s Steakhouse, Babu Ji, CHAYA Brasserie, Cotogna, Dirty Habit, flour+water, Luce, La Mar Cebicheria, Souvla, The Alembic, and many more. There will be vendors slinging desserts, as well, such as Sweetness SF and Frozen Kushterd. This year’s beverage sponsors will include Ketel One Vodka, Glenfiddich, Don Julio Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Hangar 1 Vodka, Trumer Pils, Beaujolais Wines, and more.

General admission tickets to the Grand Tasting events are $119 while VIP tickets are $209 per person. VIP ticket holders will enjoy a 45-minute early entry, access to a VIP section with additional seating and private restrooms, as well as exclusive food and beverage offerings. Proceeds benefit Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Foundation and CUESA.

Eat Drink SF takes place from Aug. 24-27. Purchase tickets here.