Food Events - Peninsula

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 18, 2007

- The Sisters of Mercy present an Evening at the Oaks fundraiser from 6 to 9:30 p.m. May 3. Enjoy a delicious dinner, wine by Starry Night Winery, entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $100 and proceeds benefit the Sisters' ministries. Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame. Details at (650) 340-7467. Learn about the Sisters' work at http://www.mercyburl.org.

- Dining Out for Life is April 26 in the Bay Area. This annual, national event raises funds for local nonprofit organizations fighting HIV/AIDS. When you enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant, a portion of your bill is donated to the cause. Check out http://www.diningoutforlife.org for a list of restaurants and reservation numbers.

- Mother's Day Brunch on May 13 is properly elegant in Sofitel San Francisco Bay's new ballroom. Champagne, juice and Harney and Sons teas accompany favorites such as eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, seafood, omelets, smoked ham, a variety of salads, crepes, cheeses, pastries, crab cakes, dim sum and sashimi. Be sure to try the roasted veal loin with morel cream sauce, penne with sun-dried tomatoes and carrot and raisin salad. Cost is $50 adults and $25 ages 5 to 12. Seatings are at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City. Please call (650) 508-7126 for reservations.

- Immerse yourself in a Hands-On Peruvian Cooking and Language Workshop with chef Laurie Mackenzie and Ronda Calef from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The workshop is taught in Spanish so you learn the language and culture more completely. Prepare a menu including cold steamed mussels with salsa, lamb stew braised with beer and cilantro and beef empanadas. Cost is $180 per person and reservations are required. Weekend en Espanol, 1998 Bush St., San Francisco. Please call (415) 923-0754 for reservations.

- Starting a Summer Vegetable Garden with Jody Main is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 5. Learn which heirloom vegetables to grow, Native American planting techniques, harvesting methods and seasonal herbs. Cost is $24. Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto. Call (650) 493-6072 to register.

- Celebrate National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day with a free lunch entree and beverage for kids accompanied by parents April 26. Offer is good at McCormick and Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco and Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley. Call McCormick and Kuleto's for reservations at (415) 929-1730 and Spenger's at (510) 845-7771.

- The Fairmont San Francisco turns 100 this month and celebrates with a Centennial Tea served in The Laurel Court from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily during April (except today). Scones, sandwiches, profiteroles and a special tea blend are available. Cost is $19.07 adults and $10 children younger than 12, plus tax and tip. A Centennial Dinner is also served in The Laurel Court this month, from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Savor old-fashioned dishes such as duck consomme with veal dumplings, beef Wellington and green beans amandine. Cost is $39 adults and $19.50 children younger than 12, plus tax and tip. 950 Mason St., San Francisco. Please call (415) 772-5260 for reservations.

- Butterfly Tea is at noon Saturday. A hearty menu of sandwiches, scones, fruit, pastries and hot tea is served in a nostalgic farmhouse setting. Cost is $25 per person. Visitors ages 12 and older are invited. Yerba Buena Nursery, 19500 Skyline Blvd., Woodside. Reservations are required; please call (650) 851-1668.

- Improve your cooking skills at Killer Recipes for Guys with Tucker Shaw at 6:30 p.m. April 26. Demonstration menu includes hearty steak with easy pan sauce and mashed potatoes with green onions. Cost is $50. Draeger's Cooking School, Draeger's Market, 222 E. Fourth Ave., San Mateo. Registration at (650) 685-3704.

Farther afield

- Whole Foods Market celebrates Earth Day with these events:

Kids' Club Table is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Children plant vegetable and wildflower seeds in recyclable pots, then take them home. Green Mission follows from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about healthy earth practices such as composting and recycling. Whole Foods Market, 100 Sunset Drive, San Ramon. Details at (925) 355-9000.

A Taste of Spring fundraiser is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 26. Sample specialty foods from Whole Foods, plus organic wines and local cheeses. Tickets are $65 advance, $75 door and proceeds benefit Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation for the improvement of local parks. Oakland Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Visit http://www.oaklandparks.org for tickets.

E-Waste Recycling Day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28. Bring your old electronics to Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley for responsible recycling. Call (510) 649-1333.

Whole Earth Festival is from noon to 5 p.m. April 29. Improve your recycling and composting knowledge at the Green Team booth, taste samples from local vendors, listen to live music by Mo' Live Steel Drum Ensemble, exchange light bulbs and learn lots more about healthy earth practices. Event includes fun kids' activities. Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. Details at (925) 274- 9700.