PRIDE IN THE BAY AREA!

Find a way to celebrate one of the busiest months in the Bay Area with one of the offerings below!

In San Francisco, Canela is embracing Pride all month long with a full-venue transformation featuring festive décor, Pride-inspired cocktails, and special tapas. Whether stopping in for a pre-parade toast or a celebratory dinner, guests can expect plenty of glitter, bold flavors, and community spirit in one of the city’s most historic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. In Union Square, Chotto Matte is serving up a beautiful cocktail called the Pride Flower Sour through June, made with the perfect blend of Barsol Quebranta Pisco, lime, egg white, and Angostura bitters.

Meanwhile, Timbri Hotel is hosting TRANSMARSH on June 25 and 26, a powerful free outdoor vertical dance performance by BODYSTORM taking place during SF Trans March Weekend. Honoring trans history and resilience through movement, performance, and community gathering, the evening will include a trans history walking tour led by the Tenderloin Museum, opening performances hosted by Oaklash, the vertical dance performance on the hotel’s façade, and a lively block party featuring local DJs and vendors. Then, directly across the street from the Timbri, stop into Saluhall to catch not one but two drag shows during SF Pride on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27! Located in the heart of downtown’s Pride activations, Saluhall’s Level 2 is a great destination to catch the annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28.

In the North Bay, Napa’s newly opened George + Kin’s is marking Pride Month with a colorful twist on one of its most beloved desserts. Throughout June, the modern Japanese-American diner will serve a limited-edition Rainbow Dream Cake, a vibrant take on its signature 14-layer chocolate sponge cake finished with whipped frosting. Beyond the sweet celebration, George + Kin’s is giving back to the community by donating $1 from every Pride slice sold to LGBTQ Connection, a program of VOICES Napa Valley that supports LGBTQ+ youth and young adults through mentorship, resources, and safe spaces.

NATIONAL MARTINI DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER

We’ve got something for every type of martini lover. Pick your favorite—or two—to celebrate on June 19!

🍸 Read the full roundup here.

Downtown First Thursdays x Timbri | 20% Off Food & Beverage

Produced by Into the Streets, Downtown First Thursdays and Live on Larkin are back! Heading to either event? Make your way to Rise Over Run at Timbri Hotel and enjoy 20% off food and beverage purchases simply by showing your Eventbrite ticket. Available during operating hours on the day of each event.

Congratulations! | BOA Steakhouse Arrives in Napa Valley

On Monday, June 15, Innovative Dining Group (IDG), the hospitality company behind celebrated concepts including BOA Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, and Katana, officially debuted BOA Steakhouse at the newly reimagined Casa Mani Resort, located adjacent to downtown Napa Valley.

The menu balances steakhouse indulgence with polished California sensibility, weaving together premium beef, pristine seafood, dramatic tableside presentations, and an innovative cocktail culture designed for celebration. The wine program emphasizes both Napa Valley producers and international selections, with a strong focus on Champagne, bold California reds, and sommelier-driven pairings designed to complement BOA’s premium steak and seafood offerings.

Book your table now to experience BOA Steakhouse in Napa Valley!

Pop-Up Alert | Alora San Francisco Residency at Pippal Emeryville

Throughout this month, Alora is merging with Pippal in Emeryville for a limited-time culinary residency, “The Ancient Spice Journey.” Taking inspiration from the Silk Route, which connected India and the Mediterranean through a network of land and sea routes that facilitated the exchange of spices and cultural elements, they aspire to bring Indian and Mediterranean flavors together in one shared dining experience. Guests will be able to order from a collaborative menu, moving between the two concepts throughout a single meal and experiencing distinct yet complementary flavors from both restaurants.

The collaboration highlights the connection between the two restaurants through seasonality, coastal influence, and ingredient-driven cooking while showcasing the distinct culinary identities of each concept.

Bay Area Culinary Crossover | Azalina’s x The Elene

On June 26, Chef Phillip Moratin of The Elene will join Chef Azalina for a special dinner at Azalina’s. Over the past month, they’ve been working together on a menu inspired by California’s summer ingredients and the flavors that have influenced both of their cooking.

A few menu highlights include Hamachi Kilawin Crudo, Roasted Liberty Farms Duck, and Chilled Zabaglione. Reserve your spot now!

Dante’s Inferno Presents: Voyage to Paradiso

This Independence Day, guests are invited to step into a radiant, immersive world inspired by the Sphere of the Sun from Dante’s Paradiso, a celebration of light, warmth, and collective energy. Voyage to Paradiso will transform the San Francisco Belle into a floating escape where tropical elegance meets the pulse of the Bay’s nightlife.

From golden hour to fireworks, the all-white-attire celebration unfolds across three levels of entertainment, featuring lush tropical aesthetics, Jamaican-inspired and Paradiso preview bites, flowing cocktails, and sweeping waterfront views. The evening features top-tier live performances by Odeal, BADBADNOTGOOD, and Joyce Wrice with The Kev Choice Ensemble, alongside a special guest set by SiR. Read more about the upcoming event in the San Francisco Chronicle.

San Francisco Magazine’s Best of the Bay

We are excited to announce that San Francisco Magazine is offering a special discount code to af&co. friends and family interested in attending their Best of the Bay event on July 11! For 25 years, this event has celebrated the people, places, flavors, and experiences that define San Francisco.

Returning in July 2026, this milestone anniversary event brings together the Bay Area’s top restaurants, chefs, beverage partners, entertainment, and tastemakers for one unforgettable night. Use code AFCo20 to receive 20% off tickets, which can be purchased here.

Vote Now | 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

Sister properties The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta, California, have both been nominated for this year’s USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in two different categories: Best Spa Resort and Best Hot Springs.

Last year, The Springs Resort was voted the #1 Hot Springs and #1 Spa Resort in the U.S., while Murrieta Hot Springs Resort was honored as the #3 Hot Springs and #2 Spa Resort! We are hoping to help them bring home the number one and two slots again this year, so please help us vote daily until Monday, June 29!

That’s a Wrap! | AAPI Cocktail Week 2026

Another year is in the books with the fantastic team behind SF AAPI Cocktail Week, and our team could not be more proud of how this year’s event went! In case you are unfamiliar, SF AAPI Cocktail Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community’s contributions to the global cocktail industry. Through curated events, collaborations, and storytelling, the platform brings together leading talent from around the world to highlight innovation, culture, and connection through the lens of hospitality.

Huge congratulations to AAPI Cocktail Week co-founder and Pacific Cocktail Haven owner Kevin Diedrich on being named Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service at the James Beard Awards. We’re also raising a glass to the entire Pacific Cocktail Haven team as they celebrate 10 years of creating one of San Francisco’s most beloved cocktail destinations.

🍸 Bring on 2027!

Now Open! | Matchplay at Silverado Resort

Matchplay Kitchen + Bar is a modern social dining destination celebrating California cuisine, vintage sports, and all-day enjoyment. Formerly The Grill at Silverado, the restaurant features a menu built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, primarily from within a 100-mile radius of the property, as well as from the on-site Chef’s Garden.

Inspired by an upscale sports lounge, the design blends recreation and dining with playful elements, offering spaces to enjoy a drink, dine, play darts, or challenge friends to shuffleboard. Vintage-inspired details, including plaid, houndstooth, and chevron motifs, add character while nodding to classic sporting traditions.

Meze & Kebab | Ribbon Cutting with the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce

From the team behind the acclaimed Turkish dining destination Meyhouse, Meze & Kebab is a new concept inspired by the fire-cooked flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean through Southeast Asia.

Located in the heart of Palo Alto, guests can enjoy a wide selection of grilled specialties alongside hot and cold mezes, housemade dips, and freshly baked flatbreads from the clay oven.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PARTNERS

We are so excited to announce our newest partners, Bosco and San Francisco Wine Society! A bit more about the concepts can be found below:

Bosco is a new Italian restaurant bringing elevated classics, bold flavors, and warm hospitality to the heart of San Francisco. As the latest concept from The Absinthe Group, Bosco is rooted in housemade pasta, peak Northern California seasonality, an ambitious sourdough program, and richly layered live-fire cooking—blending Italian tradition with the energy and creativity of modern San Francisco. From aperitivo hour to late-night dinners, Bosco is poised to become one of SoMa’s newest gathering places for memorable dinners, late-night cocktails, and everything in between.

San Francisco Wine Society is a wine destination in San Francisco’s Financial District dedicated to making wine approachable, educational, and fun. The wine bar is led by proprietor Danielle Kuzinich and features an award-winning, expansive global wine program, ranging from accessible by-the-glass selections to rare and collectible bottles, all served in a comfortable setting. With a philosophy centered on connection and discovery, San Francisco Wine Society encourages guests of all experience levels to explore wine in a relaxed and unpretentious environment.

TEAM MEMBERS ON THE MOVE

Lawrence Abella Ricardo | Promotion!

We are so excited to share that Lawrence Abella Ricardo has been promoted to Account Director of Marketing & Influencer Strategy!

In his five years at af&co., Lawrence has constantly had his eyes on ways we can improve our work, both to streamline workflows and to strengthen our deliverables for our partners. Lawrence has a genuine passion for both the hospitality world and our marketing and public relations efforts. In his new role at af&co., you will find Lawrence serving as the strategic figurehead for the agency’s marketing department, leading influencer marketing, social media strategy, and creative direction!

Meet the af&co. team.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Casa Sofia is officially open! Situated in South Beach, a few minutes from Oracle Park, the ninth restaurant from Carlos Altamirano and his wife and business partner, Shu Dai, is named after their ten-year-old daughter.

• Luigi Di Ruocco of Mr. Espresso weighs in on transforming consumers’ everyday coffee into all-day profitability.
• LA Weekly dives into all that the newest Gott’s location has to offer at the Farmers Market in Los Angeles!
• Check out the most recent openings in Northern California, plus the dishes that have people talking, from Fine Dining Lovers—with special mentions of Bistro Lagniappe, George + Kin’s Diner, and Clementina!
• Eater SF has been spreading the word about the South Bay’s newest and upcoming openings, with Strāta’s debut in mid-May and Flora opening its doors this summer!
• May was a month of clients on the big screen! Mom’s List shared its Mother’s Day offering with KTLA, while East Bay’s Buttercup shared its summer deals, and Chef Deborah from Little Saint spoke about farm-to-table dining!
• Palio earned its much-deserved place on Infatuation SF’s list of Old-School Italian Restaurants, and we couldn’t be more proud!
• Need a place to stay now that Yosemite National Park no longer requires reservations? Take it from Condé Nast Traveler: Rush Creek Lodge & Spa and Evergreen Lodge are the places to book.
• The World Cup has kicked off, and we know just the place to watch all the big matches—SoMa Social!
• Tom Klein, wine industry veteran and proprietor of Rodney Strong Vineyards, is hopeful for the future of California wine and provides his insights to Wine Enthusiast.
• Kaïs Bouzidi, restaurateur behind some of the buzziest Embarcadero concepts—Sens, Barcha, and Bon Délire—sits down with Modern Luxury San Francisco to discuss the past, present, and future of what he is building on the waterfront.
• Payakk has everyone talking in the East Bay! Check out the vibes in this reel from @heatherr.eats.
• If you need any more convincing to try Strāta, downtown San Jose’s newest culinary destination, watch @siliconvalley.foodies’ recent reel!
• That’s right, the Meredith Marks stayed at The Estate Yountville during her first silent-disco DJ gig in Napa Valley!
• Craving a big bowl of ramen? Whether you are in Northern or Southern California, we always recommend Ramen Nagi.
• Mother’s Day might have passed, but it’s never too late to treat your mom! Book a stay at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort for the ideal serene retreat.
• Now that summer is here, rooftop dining is so back! Chotto Matte is your summertime lunch destination.