When North Beach's Café Zoetrope offered an invitation to their Winemaker's Dinner, it was an offer we couldn't refuse. Godfather jokes aside, the stylish restaurant, owned by Francis Ford Coppola and his related winery, offers great food and wines.

"We are everywhere!" may be a queer community rallying cry, but once again, Bestie voters don't seem to eat anywhere but the Castro and the Mission.

In 2015, spurred in part by the enthusiastic response their potluck dishes and birthday treats garnered from friends when they socialized, Ryan Alvarez and Adam Merrin started a recipe blog, Husbands That Cook. That's now also the title of their book.

With the holidays fast approaching, consider adding some locally-made delicious cheese to your party plates or brunch menu. Sonoma and Marin artisan cheese makers Laura Chenel and Marin French Cheese recently sent us some delicious samples.

Oakland couple James Erb and Jason Young would love to spill the tea with you. The pair share fascinating tidbits about the cultivation, processing and preparation of tea through their business, American Gongfu.

Supporting small queer business means getting your shoes shined at your local queer-owned cobbler, flirting with the racks at that cute atelier down the street, and tossing back a Paloma with the regulars at your local gay watering hole.

Serving up burgers and drag shows, the recently opened Hamburger Mary's has become a popular Castro district restaurant for locals and tourists alike.

It's Labor Day weekend, the summer's third and final sanctioned drinking festival. A new bar, a new book, a new bottle, and a new drinking game have all shown up on the BARtab radar in recent days. Please, enjoy one on us.

Just in time for Pride, a small bouquet of eateries has bloomed in the Castro. Whether you're a local who's not often in the gayborhood, or you've got out-of-town visitors stoked to see the sites, swing on by and bring your appetite for something new.

As we head into summer, the Bay Area Reporter has ordered up a round of fresh libations, whether you're looking for a new haunt, a new drink of choice, a wine country escape, or intellectual rationale for an impending hangover.

Along with Stoli's release of a Harvey Milk limited edition vodka bottle (see B.A.R. last week's issue), another spirit that's worth noting is the new brand, Blue Angel Vodka.

After more than a year of construction and permitting delays, The Castro Fountain is finally open, with a two-page menu of ice cream, cakes, pies, cookies, and fountain drinks.

To most of the world, Napa remains the stronger "name brand" when it comes to California wine geography. Even locally, when Sonoma does have name recognition, there's confusion between the County and the Valley. That's set to change.

We were pleased to be invited to the Catalan Wines USA Master Class & Wine Tasting that transpired at The Bently Reserve last week. More knowledge!