By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov.
Squarely on the western frontier of the United States, and even boasting a recreation area aptly named, Land’s End, San Francisco is one of the highly visible metropolises, known and open to the entire world!
The City by the Bay’s international flair is abundantly expressed in its acclaimed culinary scene that includes food, wine, and more often than not, art.
Just a few summer events paint a vivid picture of a second to none tourist destination.
Festival Napa Valley
Every July, San Francisco dwellers and visitors alike make their way to the world-renowned California wine country for the annual Festival Napa Valley—a multi-day cultural and culinary event, featuring international stars and emerging talent in singing, dance, and instrumental music.
This year, the 17th edition of Festival Napa Valley’s Summer Season featured, among its other programs, a Dance Gala: Reunited in Dance concert, conceived and implemented by the artistic director Xander Parish, featuring dance soloists from Russia and Ukraine, formerly employed by Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, and Stanislavsky Ballet, and displaced by the war in Ukraine.
Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, California, became an open-air performance venue for a group of outstanding dancers showcasing their skill and talent in a program of excerpts from undying classical ballets.
Xander Parish, a former principal dancer at the Mariinsky Ballet, born in England and known for his work with The Royal Ballet Company, was the first and only British dancer invited to join the Russian ballet troupe in St. Petersburg, where he established a residency in 2010. With a rich repertoire under his belt, including lead roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, etc. etc., and acknowledged with multiple international dance awards, the artist made it his goal to gather his former colleagues, who have left Russia following its aggression against Ukraine, and create a dance program to express their solidarity with Ukrainian friends, and support for ballet as an enduring art form.
The Dance Gala’s outdoor “house” was full, and many patrons and sponsors of the event came up on stage after the performance to greet the dancers face to face. Next year, the Festival Napa Valley will be presented for the 18th time, with ticket sales starting sometime in March.
Festival Napa Valley’s 18th summer season is planned for July 12-21, 2024. Additional information at: www.festivalnapavalley.org
Solaire Terrasse with Veuve Clicquot at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
For all the connoisseurs of tiny bubbles, the undoubtedly most lavish summer pop-up event is happening now the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
Every weekend, the iconic hotel’s Courtyard Terrace with unparalleled views of the city, and planted with rose bushes and chef’s herb garden, turns into a Solaire Terrasse, created in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
The coveted Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Rosé and La Grande Dame are offered by the glass or bottle along with champagne cocktails under the striped garden umbrellas, on café tables surrounded with chairs and lounge seats—all in the famous champagne’s signature color scheme—sunny yellow-orange and white.
Matching the highest quality Veuve Clicquot champagne, known to the world since 1772, the food menu, created by the Executive Chef Patrick O’Sullivan includes the most luxurious selections of Seafood Tower for Two; The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco Signature Caviar Service; Cheese and Charcuterie Board; Bread Service; and Gelato Festival Cart.
“We are thrilled to bring a touch of luxury and optimism to guests through our collaboration at the Solaire Terrasse,” says Stephen Power, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. “Veuve Clicquot Champagnes perfectly complement the exquisite menu offerings and serene ambiance of the Courtyard, creating an unforgettable experience for all who visit.”
The Solaire Terrasse is open now through the end of September on weekends from 1-6 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is located at 600 Stockton St, San Francisco. To reserve the unforgettable pop-up experience go to: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/san-francisco/dining/events.
Vinho Verde Guided Tasting at One Market Restaurant
The so called “green wine” from Portugal comes in all hues of straw and gold (and even rosé and red), but derives its name from the lush landscape of the unique wine region, one of the oldest in the country, established back in 1908.
During the recently conducted Masterclass and paired guided tasting of the crisp, bright, summertime whites, coming from small family plots in tiny production numbers, Vinho Verde Ambassador Jienna Basaldu explained the many advantages of the terroir known for its rolling hills, vast variety of soils, different microclimates, and indigenous varietals, like Alvarinho, Avesso, Azal, Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura, that result in elegant and aromatic wines.
The tasting included 16 DO Vinho Verde white wines, characteristic of the production region—young, light, and fresh, with low alcohol content as well as more complex and intense ones with mineral profiles and great potential to age in bottles. All retailing for a fraction of the cost usually associated with imported wines in the U.S.
The Masterclass presented four flights of Venho Verde wines paired with a tasting menu by One Market Cher/Parner Mark Dommen.
Flight 1 Quinta da Lixa, Pouco Comum Alvarinho 2022, Adega Ponte de Lima, Colheita Selecionada Loureiro, 2022, A & D Wines, Monologo Avesso, 2022, and Adega Ponte de Barca Estreia Premium 2022 were paired with Halibut Ceviche with taro chips.
Flight 2 Vercoope, Pavao Escolha 2022, Quinta da Raza, Branco 2022, Quinta das Arcas, Arca Nova Branco 2022, and A & D Wines, Singular 2021 were paired with Pea Leaf Pesto Pasta (housemade Gemelli) with sundried tomatoes, pistachios, and pecorino.
Flight 3 Vercoope, Pavao Alvarinho 2022, Quinta Raza, Alvarinho 2022, Estreia, Alvarinho M & M Reserva 2022, and Falua Barao do Hospital, Alvarinho 2021 were paired with Squash Blossom Fritters with tomato, ricotta and lemon.
Flight 4 Quinta das Arcas, Arca Nova Loureiro 2022, J Portugal Ramos, Loureiro 2021, Falua Barao do Hospital, Loureiro 2021, and Quinta da Lixa, Aroma das Castas Loureiro-Alvarinho 2022 were paired with Salmon Latke with chives, crème fraiche, salmon caviar, and dill.
Look for Vinho Verde wines in retail, and don’t forget to ask about them while dining at One Market.
One Market Restaurant is located at 1 Market St, San Francisco. More information at: www.vinhoverde.pt, https://onemarket.com/.
Rhone Valley Winemaker Tour
The first Rhône Valley Winemaker Tour, implemented by the Inter Rhône professional association bringing together the wine-growers and wine merchants of the Rhône Valley, made it to San Francisco earlier this summer.
A delegation of 20 winemakers from the widely renowned wine region in France, travelled to many cities in the United States, presenting the fruits of their labor indicative of Rhône Valley Vineyards—dynamic, food-friendly, value-oriented, and growing in influence at the U.S. imported wine market.
A walk-around tasting included more than 100 wines from the most sought-after AOCs of the region showcasing some of the most prominent wineries in the Rhône Valley, like Chapoutier, Marrenon, Lavau, Poulet et Fils (producing amazing sparkling wine with the ancient roots!) and many more.
The Rhône Valley Winemaker Tour took place at the Westin Saint Francis Hotel on Union Square. The wines were paired with the hotel’s Food and Beverage Program’s menu of charcuteries, cheeses, and house-made dips and treats.
The Westin Saint Francis is located at 335 Powell St, San Francisco.
More information at: https://www.vins-rhone.com/en/inter-rhone, https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sfouw-the-westin-st-francis-san-francisco-on-union-square/.
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