One Night Only Collaboration | Little Saint x A16 in Healdsburg

Little Saint, the 100% plant-based restaurant in Healdsburg, and Michelin-recognized Italian restaurant, A16, are coming together for Tomato Sagra: A one-night-only plant-based dinner celebrating Southern Italian tradition and California’s peak tomato season on Saturday, August 15, and tickets are almost sold out!

Tomato Sagra brings together Chef Deborah Mullin of Little Saint and Chef Valentin Atayde of A16 for a collaborative prix fixe dinner inspired by Southern Italy and Sonoma County’s peak tomato season. Together, the two culinary teams will showcase the season’s juiciest, sun-ripened tomatoes across a menu designed to capture the magic of summer. Imagine dishes like cold-cured olive misti with pickled cherry tomatoes, oven-dried cherry tomatoes on the vine, A16’s signature Naples-style pizza, and more — all featuring ingredients sourced from Little Saint’s eight-acre regenerative farm.

Don’t Miss It! | South Bound at ROOH Palo Alto

From now through August 16th, experience South Bound at ROOH Palo Alto. This curated celebration of food and beverages is inspired by five states located in South India – Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Every region has a unique story, with each dish sharing more about the history, culture, and memories in these distinct states. Book your reservation to immerse yourself in a journey through South India, where ancient flavors are reimagined through modern expressions, celebrating the people, places, and traditions that have shaped one of the world’s richest culinary landscapes.

Love and Beats | Celebrate Oakland PRIDE at The Kissel Uptown Oakland

For those celebrating PRIDE in Oakland on August 16, The Kissel Uptown Oakland is hosting a PRIDE Weekend afterparty called Love and Beats on their rooftop! Their restaurant, Otto’s, is also serving limited time cocktails in celebration of pride, called the Over the Rainbow, Friend of Dorothy, and Love is Love.

These beverages perfectly complement their newly launched brunch menu, which features dishes like Tuna Agua Chile with avocado, pickled chilies, cucumber, cilantro, and tortilla chips, Oxtail Arancini with braised oxtail, Gruyère cheese, crispy garlic, and pickled pearl onions, and House-made Gnocchi Carbonara with preserved yolk, Aleppo pepper, guanciale, and English peas.

Book Now | Bun Khao: The Rice Experience at Payakk

Payakk in Oakland is launching a new 10-course tasting menu from Chef Tobb on Friday, August 14. More than a tasting menu, Bun Khao is an immersive dining experience that explores the spiritual rituals carried by Thai immigrants to Oakland and the science behind why those traditions continue to resonate today. Across 10 courses, the menu draws inspiration from practices such as morning alms offerings, ancestor ceremonies, vipassana meditation, and Loy Krathong, with each ritual paired with research from neuroscience and psychology that examines memory, emotion, ritual, and human connection.

Throughout the evening, guests will experience moments designed to engage far more than the palate, including an opening incense ritual, a four-minute course of complete silence, and a live contemporary dance performance interpreting the Thai wai khru ceremony.

Industry Event | 2026 California Restaurant Show

On Sunday, August 23, Andrew Freeman, founder of af&co. and co-founder of Carbonate, alongside Leith Steel, Director, Insights & Brand Communications at Carbonate, are speaking at the 2026 California Restaurant Show at the Anaheim Convention Center! If you’re a chef, restaurant operator, or foodservice professional, this is a great event to attend to learn even more about our ever-evolving industry! Register for FREE (a $99 value) using the complimentary registration code included in the graphic.

If you are based in Southern California, we hope you’ll join Andrew and Leith as they speak to the latest trends and innovations shaping the hospitality industry!

Congratulations! | Two New Concepts Open in Mid-Market’s Saluhall!

On July 7, downtown San Francisco’s 945 Market debuted two major additions to Saluhall: Spirited at Saluhall, now serving at the food hall’s three distinct bar spaces, and Oklava Cafe, an all-day Mediterranean concept. Spirited at Saluhall will showcase a full cocktail menu alongside an equally considered zero-proof offering, plus intentionally sourced local beer, wine, and spirits. Meanwhile on the ground floor, Oklava Cafe showcases an authentic Turkish coffee program and Mediterranean pastries alongside a savory, downtown-friendly menu, making the destination ideal for all day dining.

Big thank you to Mayor Lurie, who stopped into the ribbon cutting celebration to speak on the area’s continued growth! We are so excited for the Saluhall, Spirited at Saluhall and Oklava Cafe teams and hope you can stop in soon to try the new concepts!

Your Next Night Out | R&B Wednesdays at Rise Over Run

If you are looking for a new spot to kick back on a weeknight, Timbri’s rooftop destination, Rise Over Run, is hosting R&B Wednesdays in collaboration with DJ Heartbreak. With their stunning rooftop views, fire pits, weekly R&B music programming, fantastic sharable menu offerings, and great vibes, Rise Over Run is ushering in a new era in the heart of San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood.

Also coming up later this month is R&B Brunch on August 23 and Stogies on the Skyline on August 29, both hosted alongside DJ Heartbreak. At R&B Brunch, guests will experience San Francisco’s newest brunch party with live R&B beats, brunch favorites, and rooftop vibes. Meanwhile on August 29, except an evening of premium cigars, which pairs perfectly with Rise Over Run’s handcrafted cocktails, city views and live music.

Weekend Deal | Summer Saturdays at Bosco

Chefs Ryan Mcllwraith and Kaili Hill just launched Summer Saturdays at Bosco: a three-course feast featuring a weekly rotating, house-made lasagna, caesar salad and seasonal gelato. It gets better! If you are still hungry, your second helping of lasagna is on the house. All for $39 per person.

Making your Saturday reservation today to indulge in each weekend’s new menu!

Fond Farewell | Bistro Lagniappe Closes Their Doors on August 30

We are sad to share that Healdsburg’s French restaurant, Bistro Lagniappe, will be closing on August 30, 2026. To express the team’s gratitude to those who have supported Bistro Lagniappe over the past year, they will be offering the following closing programming:

We hope you can join us in celebrating this tremendous team and restaurant during their few weeks of service!

• Wine Cellar Raid – 50% off bottles for the rest of the month – starting this week
• Final Toasts – Complimentary splash of sparkling wine for the final weekend (Friday, August 28-Sunday, August 30)
• Final Family Portrait – Regulars are invited to stop by during the last service for group photos to commemorate the restaurant’s run (Sunday, August 30 – throughout the evening)

Eat, Sip & Explore | Savor Oakland’s Summer Affair

Savor Oakland’s Summer Affair celebrates the city’s restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and cafés with seasonal specials, encouraging diners to get out and dine locally. Whether it’s date night, happy hour with friends, brunch, or a solo cocktail, there’s always a reason to have a little summer fling with Oakland.

To make things even more fun this year, visit four or more participating locations during August, share your adventures on Instagram, tag @savor.oakland, and send their page a DM to be entered to win the Ultimate Oakland Date Package, including an overnight stay at The Kissel Uptown Oakland and dinner!

Farm to City | Foodwise’s Sunday Supper

Save the date for Sunday Supper, an unforgettable evening bringing together farmers, chefs, and change makers to champion an equitable and sustainable Bay Area food community with Foodwise. The night will feature a delicious four-course feast prepared by the city’s top chefs and paired with specially selected California wines.

Through farmers markets and education programs, Foodwise supports sustainable family farms and food makers, makes healthy food affordable for families in need, and provides free food education for thousands of Bay Area youth. Our founder, Andrew Freeman, is also on the hosting committee for this year’s event!

Save the Dates! | Upcoming Events at Public Market Emeryville

Public Market Emeryville is packed with community events throughout August and September, making it a go-to destination for food, entertainment, and local culture. See below for the full line up of events this month!

Looking ahead to September, Public Market will also host the Sunday Funday finale of Emeryville PRIDE on September 20, part of the city’s three-day Pride celebration!

• Trivia Tuesdays with Brainstormer Trivia (Every Tuesday, 6–8 PM)
• Wine Wednesdays at Pizzeria Mercato (No corkage every Wednesday)
• Emeryville Farmers Market (Every Thursday, 4–8 PM)
• Sound Bites Live Music Series (Every Friday, 6–8 PM)
• Karaoke Night (August 20) – Grab dinner, a drink, and take the stage

WARM WELCOME | NEW CLIENT PARTNER

We are so excited to begin our work with the Mosaic Hotel Collection! Learn more about their beautiful properties & concepts below!

Based in the Bay Area and Mexico City, the Mosaic Hotel Collection owns and operates a curated roster of award-winning boutique hotels aimed at creating a distinct sense of place, grounded in their location. Under the Mosaic Hotel Collection, af&co. is working with the following properties:

• Located in the heart of Napa Valley, North Block is a luxury boutique hotel in Yountville. The intimate 20-room property is centered around a lush courtyard, inviting guests to slow down and savor Wine Country’s relaxed pace. A two Michelin Star Key hotel, North Block is equipped with a heated pool and hot tub, fitness studio, intimate spa, and complimentary cruiser bikes for exploring. It’s also home to The Restaurant at North Block, which showcases local, seasonal ingredients from Northern California throughout its shareable menu from Chef Antonio Natal. Sophisticated and comfortably chic, North Block offers an elevated yet approachable experience to Wine Country hospitality.
• Just an hour north of San Francisco at the gateway to Point Reyes National Seashore is Olema House, a boutique hotel offering an intimate escape to the natural beauty of coastal Marin County. Surrounded by natural forest parkland and pristine coastal wilderness, this idyllic retreat is the perfect homebase for outdoor activities from biking, kayaking and birding, to simply unwinding on your private patio or lounging on the lawn overlooking Olema Creek. Located adjacent to the property is Due West, a modern tavern serving fresh coastal fare alongside vibrant market goods perfect for any outdoor adventure. An eclectic mix of urban sophistication and Bohemian charm, Olema House allows guests to enjoy one of Northern California’s most picturesque locales at a style and pace that’s uniquely their own.
• Located directly on Sonoma Plaza, El Dorado Hotel is an historic 27-room boutique hotel housed within the Salvador Vallejo Adobe, one of Sonoma’s earliest structures dating back to the mid-1800s. Over nearly two centuries, the building has evolved alongside Sonoma itself, serving as a private residence, a Gold Rush–era hotel, and a long-standing social gathering place. A cornerstone of Sonoma’s dining scene, El Dorado Kitchen offers all-day dining led by Executive Chef Armando Navarro. The menu boasts seasonally-driven California cuisine sourced from local Sonoma County farmers and purveyors. Simple and approachable yet infused with Sonoma sensibility, El Dorado Kitchen has become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

If Food & Wine says Vermentino is the white wine of the summer, then it’s the white wine of the summer and according to their experts, Martha Stoumen’s Venturi Vineyard Vermentino is one of the best.

• Speaking of summer drinks, if you are looking for a few new cocktail recipes, look no further. Decanter featured Paper Plane’s Colomba Cocktail made by Ryan Ota meanwhile Imbibe highlighted Little Saint’s take on a Gimlet, called the Kiss of Life. Check out both of their recipes to make them at home!
• Burgers are the classic summer food and according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Bon Délire and Smish Smash in Saluhall are serving up some of the best in the city. If you are down in Silicon Valley, stop into Gott’s for the best of the best!
• What goes better with burgers than french fries? Nothing! And Sonoma Magazine has decided that Bistro Lagniappe makes some of the most delicious.
• 7×7 reveals where San Francisco is eating this summer and of course newcomers Casa Sofia and Clementina are on the list.
• Lucania in the Ferry Building and Sergeant Ma are on the horizon and San Francisco Chronicle is calling them some of the most anticipated openings for the second half of 2026.
• If you are less of a wine drinker but still interested in a trip to Napa Valley, check out this Silverado Resort guide from The Manual to see all the property has to offer.
• Everyone is talking about Boa Steakhouse’s recent opening in Napa Valley. Want to see what the buzz is about? See for yourself here, here and here!
• Jimmy’s Lodi is the supper club everyone has been waiting for. @lex.loves_ deemed it a restaurant “worth leaving Sacramento for!” Check out her full recap HERE, along with @eatwcass’s video HERE and their recent Good Day Sacramento segment HERE!
• We’re still day dreaming about Ramen Nagi’s Limited Crab King. Watch this reel and you’ll understand why.
• Sometimes all you need is a girl dinner to get you through the week. Chotto Matte just launched their take and might we say, it’s perfect.
• If you are planning to be in SoMa any time soon, be sure to book a table at Bosco for happy hour or dinner. You won’t regret it!
• SoCal folks looking for a daycation gem – we got you covered with Murrieta Hot Springs Resort.
• If you are having trouble deciding where to eat with friends, head to Public Market Emeryville for a diverse selection of vendors and plenty of space to sit and enjoy!
• In case you missed the buzz on social, over the 4th of July weekend, Dante’s Inferno held yet another exclusive look at what’s to come in 2027. We can’t wait!