Single Guy's Planner

Spring is just around the corner, and maybe we’ll get some weekends without any rain spoiling the Single Guy’s plans. If the weather holds up (or even if it doesn’t) here are some fun food events to check out.

March 2, Tuesday: Sakes of the South. Sake, the Japanese rice wine, takes center stage at La Mar Peruvian Cebicheria in the Embarcadero area of San Francisco. What dose sake have to do with Peruvian cuisine? Well, some of you probably know that country has a long history of Japanese immigrants, which is why some of the food has hints of Japan. So it’s fitting that sake is a regular accompaniment to Peruvian food. La Mar has gathered 39 sakes from the southern tip of Japan and will offer a tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. for $39 (includes tax and tip). Limited seating so might be a good idea to buy your ticket in advance here or call Pua at 808.222.0195. Pier 1.5 in San Francisco, just north of the Ferry Building.

March 8, 22, April 5, and 19: Wine Varietals Series at 18 Reasons. The Mission neighborhood food community space is offering a four-part wine series featuring Foreign Cinema wine director Zach Pace. You’ll learn about specific varietals and growing regions such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet, and each class will feature six wines (which I’m assuming you can taste). Cost is $50 per class. There’s a different ticket purchasing link for each class, so the best place to start is the group’s events calendar for more information. 593 Guerrero St. at 18th, San Francisco.

March 20, Saturday: Ferry Building Asparagus Festival. Sure sign spring is here when you see these green stalks at the farmers market. CUESA will make a day of it celebrating the asparagus at the weekly Saturday farmers market, cooking demonstrations and other events. For more information, go to the CUESA’s Web site. Free.

March 20, Saturday: San Francisco International Chocolate Salon. The annual chocolate hording fest is back at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion. Tons of chocolatiers will show-off their new chocolates along with demonstrations and talks. This is always a huge event that runs all day but I suggest you get there early. Tickets are $25 (advance) and $30 at the door and can be purchased here.

March 22, Monday: East Bay Bean Tour by CUESA. This special tour takes you to the East Bay’s two new production plants churning out organic tofu at Hodo Soy Beanery and specially roasted coffee at the cult-favorite Blue Bottle Coffee Co. (I already toured the Hodo Soy Beanery, which you can check out here.) Tour gives a look at the new factories and equipments, and concludes with a lunch at the Jack London Square farmers market in Oakland. Cost: $25 (includes lunch). Go here to purchase tickets.

March 24, Wednesday: Book signing for “The Tablehopper’s Guide to Dining and Drinking in San Francisco: Find the Right Spot for Every Occasion.” Giving the Michelin and Zagat guides a run for their money, local know-all of the dining scene, food writer and blogger Marcia Gagliardi aka The Tablehopper will sign copies of her first book at Omnivore Books in Noe Valley. Event is free (but I’m sure you have to pay for the book — mama’s got to pay for dinner, you know!) from 6 to 7 p.m. 3885a Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco. For more information call 415.282.4712.

March 29, Monday: Café Rouge Butchers Series: Goat. OK, enough about the pig. Have you ever wondered how to butcher a goat? I’m sure you have. Now you can find out at Café Rouge’s monthly butchers classes. Café Rouge is the Berkeley restaurant with an excellent butcher shop in the back, so you know these people know their meat. For this month, featured speaker is Jeanne McCormack, sheep and goat rancher in Rio Vista. Class runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the restaurant and cost $65. (Class size is limited.) To reserve a spot, call the restaurant at 510.525.1440 or go to OpenTable.com. For more information, visit here.