VinDivine

Hi cool cats and groovy chicks, it turns Fall soon so get out there and celebrate the remaining days of Summer!

Friday: Halfsy Hour @ Zinnia

Those friendly folks at Zinnia are out there to help ya get through these rough economic times with 'Halfsy Hour', not just this Friday but every weeknight. Woo Hoo! Whatdya get? 1/2 price bevvies including specialty cocktails, wines by the glass and brewski.

What else? You want more?! OK then, 1/2 portions of Chef O'Brien's signature dishes like Roasted Black Cod (Q. Hey what's a portion of cod called? A. A Codpiece!. Oh, man I just love that word), Seared Gnocchi and Braised Short Ribs.

Caveat: This is a bar-only promotion, and doesn't apply to the restaurant. Wouldn't affect us much!

What: Halfsy Hour at Zinnia
Where: 500 Jackson, Jackson Square
When: Weeknights 5p-7p
Cost: (415) 956-7300

Saturday: 2nd Annual 'A Taste of South Beach'

The Giants are in the road, oops I mean on the road, so that means our little SoMa 'hood reverts back to it's quaint, laid-back vibe. The 2nd Annual Taste is pretty laid back too, and although the person who is semi-organizing it is a complete d-hag, there's some good restaurants and bars taking part of this fest, located smack-dab in the middle of cute, cool South Park.

What's in it for you, ya greedy bastard? Not 1, not 2, nope, not even 3 but a whopping 4 live bands, some good grub from the likes of Bacar, Brickhouse, MoMo's, Paragon, Lil Skillet and more, and thirst-quenching bevvies from locals like 21st Amendment Brewery, O'Niells Irish Pub, Pete's Tavern, District Wine Bar and then some.

What: 2nd Annual Taste of South Beach
Where: South Park (betw 2nd & 3rd and Bryant & Brannan)
When: Saturday 12p-6p
Cost: $10 'donation' to several non-profits

Saturday: 6th Annual North Beach Bar Run

From South Park to North Beach. Hey, 6 years running. Way to go, NoBe Bar Run. You just gave A Taste of South Beach a serious inferiority complex. So this is SFs biggest bar crawl, and last year attracted something like 1,000 drunken slobs just like you. 

You'll crawl at least 14 or so bars including classics like Tony Niks, Savoy Tivoli, Royale, Gino & Carlo and more. Each place is offering some pretty decent drink specials and discounts.

Plus it helps raise doh-ray-me for Project Night Night (no that's not for you after passing out in the gutter on Columbus Street), it is a charity that supports homeless tykes.

What: 6th Annual North Beach Bar Run
Where: North Beach, genius. OK, Starts at Norhstar Cafe (Powell & Green)
When: Saturday 4p
Cost: $6
Contact: (415) 515-5222

Saturday: Il Trovatore at Pac Bell Park

Hey make it a double header! If you hit the A Taste of South Beach fest, stroll over to the ball park for some serious culture. And prolly a culture shock after that crowd in South Park. I mean, what is there not to like about Il Trovatore, anyway? Hell we don't have a clue either so we looked it up. There's suspense, a corrupt Count (aren't hey all?), a dashing warrior and best of all…a Gypsy! Love them Gypsies.

This is a simulcast of the live performance at the Opera Hall. If you pre-register you can get better seating although there is also first-come seating on the field. Your choice.

What: Il Trovatore at Pac Bell Park
Where: Pac Bell Park, Say Hey Field…we refuse to call it by it's official name
When: Saturday 8p
Cost: Free!
Contact: (415) 864-3330

Saturday – Sunday: 1st Annual Sonoma Valley Crush

It's kinda hard to put a 1st 'annual' moniker on something that's never happened before. Kind of supremely confident, aren't we? Well, here's your chance to get in on the ground floor and say You Were There When. Something you can bore your miserable kids about someday.

Anyhoo, this should be a cool event. Why, you challenge? It's in Sonoma. Sonoma is fan-f'ing-tastic. It's gonna be warm up there. There's wine (duh). And if ya want you can even get your hands (and maybe feet!) dirty by getting in there and doing a little grape crushing.

Some of the participating wineries include: Ledson, Adler Fels, Imagery, St. Francis and lots more.

What: 1st Annual Sonoma Valley Crush
Where: Various participating wineries
When: Saturday & Sunday 11a-4p
Cost: $30