Sun, Summer, and Spritzes
Hello Everyone —
We are settling into summer and with PRIDE now (sadly) behind us, we have our eyes set on the rest of the warm & sunny season.
Between upcoming collaborations, special offerings, and spritzes galore, we are excited to share this month’s edition for you to browse through! We also take a closer look at our 18th annual trends report to find out where we hit and what we may have missed. Scroll down to see more!
Before jumping in, we wanted to take a moment to say how grateful we are to have spent a few days together as a team for our summer strategic planning meeting in mid-June. The team got together for a day of workshops, panels, forecasting and brainstorming for the months ahead. Huge thank you to local influencers Melissa Vajanaphanich of @kelmeleats, Chelsea Davis of @cheycheyfromthebay, Brandon Au of @brandonau, and our very own Celine Chung of @celinerrzz for taking time from their busy schedules to connect with our team about what they are seeing in the current influencer marketing landscape. Heather Shin of @heatherr.eats also stopped in to hold a content creation workshop, which was very helpful for our team of social media pros!
It was, after all, an af&co. team meeting so we couldn’t go our separate ways until having a bit of fun! After our day of meetings, our teams split into three escape rooms to test our problem solving skills and each group was able to make it out, some a bit faster than others. Then we made our way to Charmaine’s, The Proper Hotel’s rooftop concept, for delicious bites and cocktails with the backdrop of a stunning sunset! We ended our week with a Big Bus Tour of San Francisco, making our way over the (very chilly but beautiful) Golden Gate Bridge and ending up at the Ferry Building’s Gotts for some delicious lunch on their sunny patio!
After our meeting session, we dived right back in with our new ideas, skills, and overall good vibes from seeing this gorgeous city! Thank you to every partner and client who made it possible, we are endlessly grateful!!
Now, let's get to some more of the good stuff.
– Andrew & everyone at af&co.
AUGUST 1 | NATIONAL SPRITZ DAY
From a classic spritz to new takes on everyone's favorite summer beverage, take a look at what's filling our glasses. Check out all the spritzes to sip around the Bay Area HERE on Saturday, August 1, AKA National Spritz Day!
2026 TRENDS CHECK-IN: What We Got Right, What We Missed & What’s Next
Revisiting the predictions from the af&co./Carbonate 2026 Hospitality Trends Report
The af&co. Carbonate Hospitality Trends Report is officially old enough to vote! It's also old enough to know that trends rarely unfold exactly as expected…
Back in November, we gazed into our collective crystal ball and made our predictions for the year ahead in hospitality. Now it's time for the scorecard.
Join our very own Andrew Freeman (Founder of af&co. and Co-Founder of Carbonate), Candace MacDonald (Founder & Managing Director, Carbonate), and Leith Steel (Head of Insights, Carbonate) for a candid mid-year check-in on our 2026 Hospitality Trends Report as we revisit the trends that hit, unpack the ones that missed, and explore the ideas still gaining momentum. Think of it as a live report card on the future of hospitality—with fewer red pens and more hot takes.
As a bonus, for a limited time we're offering 50% off our full 2026 Hospitality Trends Report —featuring many more emerging trends and insights than we could possibly cover in a single conversation.
Congratulations! | Jimmy’s Now Open in the Central Valley
Jimmy’s, which debuted on Thursday, July 9, is a new Italian-American supper club marking a significant milestone in the Murdaca family’s legacy of hospitality in the Central Valley. The restaurant reimagines the original home of Pietro’s, the beloved Italian dining destination established by the Murdaca family in 1985, transforming the space into an Italian-American supper club that honors its roots while introducing a fresh vision.
Jimmy’s menu blends generations of Italian family recipes with seasonal California ingredients and modern culinary techniques, creating a dining experience that feels both timeless and contemporary, meanwhile the cocktail program reimagines classic cocktails, cold martinis, and strong pours with attention to detail.
If you are based in the Central Valley or planning a visit soon, make a reservation now.
Girl Dinner, Redefined | Chotto Matte Launches One of the City’s Best Deals!
Summer is the perfect time of year to grab a drink and bite after work to take full advantage of the warm weather, longer days, and the city’s upbeat energy. Introducing Girl Dinner, redefined at Chotto Matte . This new menu includes a curated selection of favorites—your choice of martini, Chotto Caesar Salad, Truffled Yuca Fries, and their signature Dragon Roll. All that for only $44.
Stop by the restaurant’s rooftop space Monday to Thursday from 7PM-10PM to take advantage of one of summer’s best deals (complete with a resident DJ, who brings the perfect evening atmosphere).
📅 Now available!
Vote Now | VegNews 2026 Restaurant Awards
The 4th annual VegNews Restaurant Awards is officially open and Little Saint in downtown Healdsburg has been nominated again for Best Vegan Upscale Restaurant! Each year, these awards celebrate the establishments and teams pushing plant-based dining forward. Voters can cast their ballot (once per email) before polls close on July 31 at midnight PT.
🥕 Vote for Best Vegan Upscale Restaurant | Little Saint
The Best of the Season | Bosco Summer Series: Heirloom Tomato Menu
Bosco is celebrating one of the season’s most iconic ingredients with a special four-course prix-fixe experience centered around heirloom tomatoes. Available for a limited time, the Bosco Summer Series: Heirloom Tomato Menu highlights the versatility, beauty, and peak-season flavor of locally sourced tomatoes across every course.
📅 Now available, for a limited time
🎟️ $55 per guest | four courses
👉 Reservations here | To book, when making your reservation, select the Bosco Summer Series: Heirloom Tomato Menu experience
(p.s.) If you are looking for more tomato dishes to explore after stopping into Bosco for this special menu, Golden Gate Restaurant Association is holding their annual SF Tomato Month Promotion from July 15 – August 15. Diners will be encouraged to dine at 5 restaurants or farmers markets to be entered in a raffle with local staycation prizes!
Sushi Alert | New Menu Items Launching July 29 at Sushi Roku Palo Alto
Sushi Roku Palo Alto is excited to announce a handful of new menu items set to launch on July 29! Ideal for the warm summer months, these dishes strike the perfect balance between light and refreshing while still feeling indulgent, giving guests a true sense of treating themselves.
Highlights include Octopus Carpaccio with red yuzu kosho, lemon zest, micro cilantro, yuzu chili ponzu; Salmon Hanabi made with spicy salmon, crispy rice, and serrano chili; Truffle Crab Sushi with snow crab, avocado, truffle, and champagne butter.
Make your reservation now to experience these new offerings!
📅 Launching July 29
Tasting Alert | Nikka Whiskey at TETRA Hotel’s Nokori Whiskey Bar
Calling all whiskey lovers! Nokori Bar at TETRA Hotel is offering a complimentary tasting experience open to all guests. Explore a curated selection featuring Nikka Grain, Nikka Malt, and Nikka Days, highlighting the craftsmanship and balance of Japan’s renowned Nikka Whisky portfolio in an approachable, guided format at Nokori.
📅 Tuesday, July 28 | 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
National Wellness Month Collaboration | The Springs Resort + Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Partner with CBD Brand, CauseMedic
In recognition of National Wellness Month in August, sister properties The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Murrieta Hot Springs Resort in Murrieta, California, are partnering with CauseMedic, an all-natural skincare and wellness brand that blends hemp-derived CBD with active botanicals to help relieve pain and improve skin health. The partnership will introduce a collection of elevated spa treatments, wellness amenities, and recovery-focused experiences designed to encourage rest, relaxation, and self-care.
Throughout the month of August, guests at both award-winning wellness destinations will have access to exclusive CauseMedic-enhanced offerings that complement each resort's naturally restorative hot springs experiences.
📅 August 1 – August 31
🛏️ Schedule your visit at The Springs Resort HERE
👉 Arrange a stay at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort HERE
Save the Date | Sprouts’ Annual Gala
Sprouts Chef Training has announced that Chef Azalina Eusope has joined their annual gala line up! Taking place in November, this year’s event will celebrate Powerful Women in Food, bringing together acclaimed chefs, philanthropists, and industry leaders for an evening of cocktails, chef-crafted bites, and a four-course dinner prepared by Michelin-starred and award-winning female chefs.
Highlights of the evening include special guests Alice Waters and Debby Soo, thoughtfully curated wine pairings, a lively auction, and featured talent such as Chef Danielle Lefevre of Trestle SF !
📅 Sunday, November 1 | 5:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.
WEDDING BELLS | MODERN LUXURY FEATURES KELSEY’S BIG DAY
Not to brag, but our lovely Kelsey Perry was featured in Modern Luxury for her beautiful wedding, which took place in April of this year. Within the piece, Katie Sweeney shares how the couple met, the details of their ceremony, honeymoon plans, and big takeaways after all was said and done!
Just look at the gorgeous couple! Congratulations, again, to Kelsey and Jonathan
AF&CO. HONORED AS TOP LGBTQ+ OWNED BUSINESS
Last year, Andrew was honored as one of San Francisco Business Times’ Business of Pride Outstanding Voices and is now an alumni for this special recognition. This year, af&co. ranked number 22 in the list of LGBTQ+ owned businesses in the greater Bay Area that the San Francisco Business Times curates each year and we couldn’t be more proud (literally!).
In case you haven’t noticed, around here, PRIDE is year-round and we take it very seriously. Hope everyone can continue the celebration with us, even after June has come to a close.
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Nopa, the San Francisco institution, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary! The San Francisco Standard dives into how they established themselves as a fixture, one regular at a time.
- Headed to Yosemite for a summer vacation? Read all about how Firefall Ranch is the place to book HERE in Conde Nast Traveler’s recent review.
- Read David Landis’ recent piece to hear from hospitality industry professionals on what pride means to them, including Chotto Matte ’s Chef Cicero and our very own Andrew!
- We are still thinking about the Healdsburg Food & Wine Experience and the Grace Bowers concert at Rodney Strong Winery during the festival.
- Hoping to book yourdream golf trip this year? Silverado Resort in Napa Valley will meet all your needs and expectations.
- SFGate highlighted Bloodroot Wines’ the Ramble as the “perfect Bay Area music festival.” Read more HERE about why.
- Eater shared their most anticipated restaurant openings this summer, which included Flora and Oklava Cafe in Mid-Market’s Saluhall ! Eater also spotlighted Casa Sofia and Clementina in their best new restaurants round up!
- If you are looking for some new outdoor dining spots around the Bay Area, check out THIS guide, which includes Chotto Matte, the Ferry Building, Macarena, Poppy & Claro, Wild Onion Bistro & Bar, and Scoma’s .
- Vogue shared their guide to Sonoma County and added Overshine as a go-to tasting room experience!
- Read more on what Trestle gets right from Sheen Magazine.
- Speaking of Sonoma County, if you are planning a trip to Healdsburg, Sunset Magazine recommends Little Saint for one of their amazing free concerts!
- According to @definitelybayarea, Sushi Roku continues to be the spot for amazing sushi and the ideal atmosphere and we couldn't agree more.
- Book your next all-you-can-eat feast at Meze Kebab and prepare for your visit by watching THIS reel from @yourglobalfoodiebff .
- Boa Steakhouse in Napa Valley is officially open! If you aren’t already planning for a visit, this reel will change your mind.
- Sergeant Ma is landing soon in China Basin and our team hosted an exclusive influencer preview event for a sneak peek. Check out this reel from Allie Tong, this video from Novi Mitchell and this preview look from Brandon Au.
- The Ferry Building is so much more than a tourist hot spot. Watch Cynthia Huang ’s newest video for some inspiration for your next visit to the building.
- We miss you already, Ramen Nagi ’s Garlic King! We will be reminiscing by watching this reel .
- During Pride weekend, Timbri Hotel teamed up with Taiwan Tourism to host @willwanderforfood on their float during this year’s parade! Check out the video HERE !