Here We Go!
Hope everyone is having a great start to the new year! Over here at af&co., we hit the ground running and are grateful to already be in full swing. We’re carrying momentum with our current partners, kicking off work with new clients, and planning exciting campaigns and events that will take us into 2026.
As everyone likes to say, the new year is all about new beginnings. Whether that looks like a new routine, a new workflow, Dry January, or a fresh AF perspective–which we are always happy to bring to the table–what remains constant is our dedication to creative collaborations, new ideas, and a local approach.
One exciting update to share is that Andrew has officially joined the Board of Directors for Sprouts Chef Training, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping young people with culinary skills and training to help them rise from hardship and step into meaningful hospitality careers and beyond. More to come on this soon!
In the meantime, scroll below for upcoming events, Dry January spots to check out before the month wraps, and more highlights from around the industry.
– Andrew & the af&co. team
Support Oakland | Parche’s Community Fundraiser Listening Party
On Monday, January 19, a large fire broke out at an apartment complex in Downtown Oakland, directly impacting team members at Parche and Jaji. Thankfully, everyone in the building is safe; however, affected team members are now focusing on rebuilding what was lost in the fire.
To support their community and the Parche + Jaji family, Parche will host their monthly listening party on Thursday, January 22, in partnership with Jack Daniel’s. Jack Daniel’s will be making a donation to support those impacted, and a portion of proceeds from the Jack Daniel’s cocktail will be donated to affected families and team members. The team will also be selling Parche tote bags and t-shirts with 100% of proceeds going to their team members in need.
If you live in the Oakland area and have physical items to donate, please feel free to drop off clothing, toiletries, backpacks, underwear, or socks at Parche, where donations will be collected and distributed. All demographics have been impacted by the fire, therefore items for newborn babies, children, teens and adults will be accepted. If you are located outside of Oakland or the Bay Area and would like to contribute, the team has also arranged a Target registry and a GoFundMe page.
Thank you for your support in helping the Oakland community.
📅 Thursday, January 22 at Parche
FINISH DRY JANUARY STRONG!
|
|
We are just over half way through Dry January and if you are looking for a few new spots with excellent non-alcoholic cocktails to carry you through the rest of the month, take a look at the options below!
If you are based in San Francisco, head down to the Ferry Building for various offerings from multiple vendors including Tsar Nicoulai Caviar Cafe, who has a NA Spiced Apple Mimosa, while the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant has a selection of alcohol-free wines sourced from Germany. Hog Island Oyster Company has two mocktails called Tropical Smash and a Tepache while Cholita Linda is currently offering a new Blackberry Agua Fresca! A few blocks away, Chotto Matte is serving up an assortment of NA cocktails, one called the Wabi-No-Sabi with Pentire Adrift non-alcoholic spirit, aji inca, acacia honey, kumquat, grapefruit, and lemonade and the Yubari with melon, lychee, grapefruit, and shiso.
For those in the East Bay, Sipeos showcases a diverse selection of non-alcoholic and low-ABV handcrafted cocktails, such as the Pepper Shandy (NA) and the New-Groni (NA). Be sure to head over to Oakland for Parche’s beverage menu that has a robust section of spirit free offerings, including our favorites the Dark N’ Spicy and the Tart N’ Tropical.
In Sonoma County, Little Saint is taking zero-proof cocktails to the next level. Their beverage team uses premium non-alcoholic spirits, sparkling wines, and farm-fresh ingredients from the Little Saint Farm to create NA cocktails with real depth and balance. Don’t miss out on the “Missing Summer” with cucumber and watermelon or the Poire with spiced pear and Aplós Arise, both are layered, creative, and sophisticated.
In Silicon Valley, Poppy & Claro offers creative non-alcoholic refreshers, including the Roselle Spritz (hibiscus tea, verjus, lemon, Woody’s NA Blanc de Blanc) and the Marmalade Refresh (Rishi organic green tea, orange marmalade, orange zest). Meanwhile, Eos & Nyx is intentionally designed to cover various palates, including those looking for a booze-free experience. Their NA offerings include the Garden of Eden (apple, dill, greek yogurt, lime), Daily Grind (goji berries, spices, espresso, tonic), and the Fountain of Youth (agave, chilies, lime, mint, soda).
Fitoor Santa Monica in Southern California has an assortment of limited time Dry January offerings available, along with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages on their beverage menu offered year-round. Stand outs include Apple of my Eye and Andromeda.
Community Connection | Peninsula Fresh
Hosted by The San Francisco Peninsula, San Mateo County’s tourism board, Peninsula Fresh is a free, half-day gathering bringing together chefs, farmers, fisheries, producers, distributors, and buyers from across San Mateo County’s farm-to-table community. This annual showcase is hosted by As Fresh As It Gets (AFAIG), sponsored by San Mateo County and SF Peninsula.
This annual event features insightful panels of local experts from the agriculture, distributor, and hospitality sectors, followed by lunch from Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.and opportunities to connect directly with San Mateo County producers! We hope to see you there!
📅 Monday, January 26
📍 Skyline College, San Bruno
👉 Reserve your free spot here
‘Don’t Look Down’: The Warm Up Party to The Big Game
Ahead of its official opening this fall, Dante’s Inferno is hosting an immersive pop-up event called Don’t Look Down, headlined by none other than DJ Pee .Wee, Anderson .Paak’s alter ego, blending nightlife, theatrical design, and bold culinary ideas. Kicking off the Big Game Weekend, this one-night-only experience previews what’s coming to the San Francisco Mid-Market neighborhood.
Guests are invited into the Second Circle of Hell — Lust – where music, atmosphere, and curated bites come together for an evening that’s playful, stylish, and intentionally over the top. Think of it as a sneak peek at the mood, flavors, and energy that will shape Dante’s Inferno when it opens—an intimate introduction to a new supper club and nightlife destination in the city.
📅 Wednesday, February 4 | 8:00 PM
🎟️ Secure your ticket here
10 Days of Restaurant Week | Taste Tri-Valley
Visit Tri-Valley is gearing up to host Taste Tri-Valley, 10 days of flavor-packed dining deals, exclusive menus, and can’t-miss foodie events! This is a great opportunity to explore the Tri-Valley’s diverse culinary scene, from Michelin-recognized dining and casual local gems to award-winning wineries, all in support of a great cause.
📅 February 20 – March 1
👉 Sign up for updates here
James Beard Foundation: Taste America
|
|
The James Beard Foundation® is set to host their celebrated Taste America culinary series in San Francisco once again. This walk-around tasting event celebrates culinary excellence and the local independent restaurants at the heart of our communities—bringing together chefs and food lovers for unique dining experiences across 20 U.S. cities.
Azalina Eusope of Azalina’s will headline the event as part of the 2025-2026 TasteTwenty class—an annual selection of “ones to watch,” recognized for outstanding culinary talent and leadership in the industry. We encourage you to buy your tickets soon to experience San Francisco’s most acclaimed culinary talent in an exceptional evening of delicious bites celebrating the city’s dynamic independent restaurant scene!
📅 Sunday, March 1 | 6:30 PM
📍 Saluhall at 945 Market
🎟️ Secure your ticket here
👉 Check out some recent buzz in this recent Haute Living San Francisco piece
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER
|
|
We are so excited to be working with Bistro Lagniappe in Healdsburg! Please help us extend a warm welcome and see additional details about the concept below.
Located in the heart of Healdsburg, Bistro Lagniappe (lan-yap) is a farm-to-table restaurant highlighting Sonoma County ingredients from pasture-raised meats to sustainably caught seafood, and produce grown on local regenerative farms. Led by chef‑owner Jacob Harth, Bistro Lagniappe’s wood‑fired country cooking is inspired by the rustic cuisine of rural French bistros, with signature dishes from cassoulet with duck confit to passionfruit mille‑feuille. Its name, Lagniappe, a Cajun‑French term meaning “a little something extra”, reflects the ethos of thoughtful hospitality and celebrates local farmers, ranchers, fishers, and foragers in the region.
RECENT MEDIA + INFLUENCER HITS
In case you are already looking for your next vacation and want a way to unplug, book a stay at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. Between the healing geothermal waters, onsite wellness activities, and gentle encouragement to stay away from screens, you are sure to leave feeling rejuvenated. Read more about the resort in this Forbes piece!
There is a lot of exciting food news coming in 2026! On our list are two new big restaurants coming to the Ferry Building. Looks like the San Francisco Chronicle team has got their eye on these openings as well.
Want to host an epic water-to-table Dungeness crab feast? Chef Jason Halverson of Hi Neighbor Group shares how he hosts the ultimate dinner party.
In addition to new restaurant openings, we got our eyes on new hotel openings as well! The team at Little Saint in Healdsburg have an exciting (and beautiful) property debuting and we couldn’t be more excited!
Although we are still in the middle of Dry January, Andrew weighs in on cocktail trends that we will see in the new year. If you want to know more, check out our 18th annual trends report!
New vendor alert! Izzy and Wooks is officially open in Saluhall. Treat yourself to some delicious sandwiches for lunch if you are in the Mid-Market area.
We predicted that meat is so back and Itamar Abramovitch, chef and owner of (M)eat Carnival couldn’t agree more!
Although the holiday season is now over, with red meat on the rise, you may find yourself wanting to buy a prime rib. Check out these tips from Food & Wine for finding the best one, including insights from Jason Halverson, executive chef of The Vault Steakhouse.
Calling all Palo Alto locals and visitors! Make sure Macarena and Wild Onion are both on your list for delicious tapas and brunch offerings.
If you are looking to cook with less butter and salt in the new year, take these tips about how to enhance your food without these additions. Paul Rohadfox from Adrestia at TETRA Hotel says to reach for citrus or vinegar for a kick of acid!
As you may have seen, Arquet is open at the Ferry Building! Want a sneak peak at what to expect before booking your reservation? Check out recent reels from here and here from Charlene Louie and Chelsea Davis! Beware as these may cause intense cravings.
Looking for your newest brunch obsession? Book at table at Chotto Matte for rooftop views of the city, Japanese-Peruvian bites, and a sundrenched terrace.
Have you been seeing the “2025 dining wrapped” videos circulating around your feedback? We sure have! Watch some of favorites here, here, and here with special call outs to Meyhouse, Eos & Nyx, The Emerald Hour at Shashi Hotel, Movida, and Jaji!
If you have plans to be near the Arts District in DTLA, dont miss out on a visit to Boxx Coffee.
All eyes are on the new gem in downtown San Jose – Poppy & Claro! Check out some of the menu highlights here.
The Timbri is a sanctuary in the city with a rooftop restaurant and sweeping views of the city. What more could you ask for?